I am going to show you how you can easily make a Chandelier Chain Cover. I created this cover as a project for a decorating book I wrote back in 1994 that was entitled, Instant Decorating. At the time I wrote it purchased chain covers required you to have to remove the chandelier and then slip a sleeve of gathered fabric over the chain – too hard - and I would have needed the help of my husband or an electrical contractor.
Now chandy chain covers or sleeves as they call them can be found in the Ballard Designs catalog. They sell for $39.00, plus tax and s&h. Making your own will not only cost you a lot, lot, lot, less - but you can choose any fabric you want. You are not limited to choose from only a few select fabrics. The chain cover is really easy to make and you don’t even have to use a sewing machine. You can use fusible web. A chandy chain cover instantly transforms an ugly chain and adds a decorative finish where you least expect one.
Before
After
Gather:
Fabric – double the length of the chain (length) x 7” (wide”) Iron-on Adhesive or Fabric Glue Matching Thread or Embroidery Floss Large Sewing Needle Sticky Back Velcro (cut to the length of chain)
1. Lay fabric on cutting surface and cut a piece of fabric 7″ wide by two times the length of the chain.
2. Fold and iron all edges over 1/4″. Iron on the adhesive or apply fabric glue to the wrong side of fabric, then fold and press to create finished edges.
3. Using a needle and thread, sew a running stitch up each side.
I made my stitches really big so you could see. ( You will want your stitches smaller, but they don’t have to be perfect.) You can do this on a machine if you have the skills. When you get to the end, knot the bottom. Repeat on other side.
4. Gather the fabric along the thread on each side until it is the length of your chain. Knot the top thread.
5. Using your hands evenly arrange the gathers along the entire cover. Place one side of sticky velcro on the outside, left. The other side of the Velcro to underside, right. Make sure to press the Velcro firmly into the folds. Cut away any excess.
6. Starting at the top of the chain, wrap the cover around the chain and press the two sides of Velcro together as you work your way down. Keep the seam towards the least viewed part of the room. (Ignore my big stitches)
Voila!
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
A great idea for covering up those chains. Thanks for the tutorial!
Wonderful ♥
Thank you SO much for this! I repainted my chandelier a few years ago but didn’t think to add a chain cover then, and now it would be a BIG pain because we’d have to take apart the wires and such. I never thought about doing it with velcro, and I love that I don’t even need to get out my sewing machine! Yippee!
Thank you! I Googled for chandelier chain cover without sewing… and you came up first!
I was thinking of doing something like this, but didn’t know the dimensions of how much fabric to get or products.
Heading to JoAnn’s tomorrow…
Thanks
Sandy
Hi Sandy-
So glad you found me. It is very easy to make and if you look at my post dated 5/16/2011 you will see one that I made for a two story chandy chain. It is long and I had to piece together a few long sections of fabric to make it, but when it is all ruched up you would never know. I recently saw in a catalog something that looked exactly like the chain cove , but it was used to cover a bunch of cords that ran under a desk. I thought that was a brilliant idea. So not only will it work for chandy chains, but unsightly cords, too.
Just thought I would let you know that I made my chain cover today. I had my laptop in my room while I ironed and went step by step through it. I am going to do the same for my readers and link back to you.
Thanks so much!
You are welcome Sandy – You are so cute taking your laptop right next to your work space. Thanks for linking it too.
Hi Diane, I’m getting ready to give my own chandelier a makeover. I can’t wait to use this idea!
Hi Bettsi-
Thanks so much. It is not hard to make and adds a nice detail to the chandelier.
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