These two chaise covers have been patiently waiting for a make-over since last summer. They are faded, ripped, and too short for the chairs.  If you have outside cushions you know they can get beat up pretty fast, especially if they are left outside rain or shine.   I had a plan to re-do them, but just kept putting it off as they were still functional, just not pretty anymore.  I got by with them by just placing a beach towel over the cushion when ever I wanted to sit on one.  These are right by our pool so we are usually wet when we are sitting on them.  This gave me the idea to make slipcovers for them out of white beach towels.  I wanted to them to be spa like -serene and relaxing – plus easy to care for.

Before

The transformation began when I added length to each cushion. I cut an old bed pillow in two, length-wise.  I then had to cut each half of the pillow to fit the bottom of each cushion making them the same length as the chairs.  I then pinned the pillow to the chaise cushion and using my sewing machine sewed them together.

I found thick, fluffy, white beach towels at a local discount store called, Ollie’s for a few dollars a piece.   Each chair required two and a half towels.  I looked at the fabric store for white terrycloth but it was $6.99 a yard and skimpy feeling, so I was happy with my towel find.   I washed the towels in hot water for shrinkage and to get rid of extra lint.  Then they sat in my studioffice for about 5 weeks.

Once I got motivated to get this project done, I got right to work.  The cover is made up of 3 pieces – top, underside, and a flap.   I started out by cutting out the top section.   I placed the chaise cushion on one towel to make a pattern.  The towel was shorter and much narrower  than the chaise so after I cut the long side off, I then used that excess towel and sewed it to the top to add the length I needed.  ( I made sure I placed the already finished hem of the towel at the top of the cover.  Why have to sew more, right?  If your towel is long enough you can skip this lengthening step.

Once I had the correct length, I cut the second towel the same way I did for the top piece to use  for the underside of the cover. Once they were both cut out and the same length,  I then placed the right sides of the top and underside pieces together and pinned and sewed the two sides and bottom together.  Basically, I made a long pillow case.

I turned it right side out.

and straightened and smoothed it out.

I cut the 3rd towel in half width-wise and had each end monogrammed by a local monogram shop my area.  The monogram is 4 1/2″ high.  Cost was $14.00.

This monogrammed piece is for the “flap” section of the slipcover.  I measured and cut this piece to fit the open  “back” edge of the cover.  Since I had to cut the towel to fit - I had to hem each side of this flap piece.    Then I sewed the right side of the flap to the right side of the underside piece.

After

Simple, spa like, easy to remove, and washable slipcovers.

This photo will give you a better idea on how I constructed them -  The cover looks like a long pillow case with a flap.  If you look closely you can see the seam where I had to add the excess towel to the end to add length.  Once the flap is over all the way it hides this seam.

Flip the flap over the top of the cushion.

When they get dirty, I can simply remove them to wash.

I have the best hubby.  It has been really, really hot here – 102 and 103 the last two days.  I was outside frying,  trying to finish the covers and he brought me out an icy cold fun drink to enjoy for when I finished taking these photos.  He even added mint sprigs.  It was just what I needed.  He is the best and always thinking of me, but he is the one who needs some pampering.  He is such a wonderful, smart, and  responsible guy, but stressed to the max - as he was laid off many months ago when the economy went south.  He works so hard each and everyday networking and trying to find a new position or a business to start.  I wish I could snap my fingers and make the economy turn around so he and all the other people out of work can find jobs that they love.   We are trying to live as normally as possible and have wonderful family and friends who are super supportive.  It is my hope that we both can soon sit on these chairs and be totally relaxed celebrating his employment.

Tagged as: DIY Decorating Ideas, How to make an easy slipcover, Outdoor decor, terrycloth slipcovers for pool side chairs