How to Make Chair Back Covers

How to Make Fabric Chair Back Covers for Kitchen or Dining Room Chairs

Over the holidays, I decorated my dining room with accents of turquoise – I found I really liked the shot of color in the room – actually LOVED it and didn’t want to take it down.   I enjoy the neutrality of the room as it allows me to periodically add color in the way of new and colorful accessories to the room with little expense, time.  These additions can change the look of the room instantly.

On a recent trip to JoAnns Fabrics, I came across a turquoise and white fabric. When picking it up to get a closer look, I knew immediately what I was going to do with it. Luckily, it was on sale and I didn’t even have to use a coupon.

I bought it to make chair back runners.  They are an easy-to-make alternative to full blown slipcovers and can be made the no-sew way if you don’t have a sewing machine.

The name of the fabric is Akron-Panorama in Surf.  It is a Mill Creek Fabric.

I brought in some yummy pink peonies and one of my new boxwood globes to add some contrast and interest.

I love the mix of colors against the painted white and wood furniture.

I made the white knotted-back slipcovers that are under the chair back runners two years ago. I have a tutorial on how I made them – Simple Slipcovers

I didn’t want to make new slipcovers,  just add an accent of color to go with the bench I painted turquoise before the holidays. I posted about that over on My Colortopia.

Making these runners is quick and easy.  I sewed them, but they could be made using fuse or fabric glue if you don’t sew.

I simply placed a runner over each chair and tucked the back behind the knot in the slipcover. If I decide to remove the white slipcovers –

I could simply add ribbon ties to each side of the runner so that I could tie them onto the chairs.

I used ribbon, but you could make ties from the fabric.

How To Make Dining Room Chair Back Fabric Runners

supplies needed:

• Fabric – enough to cover the chair back and front, plus an extra inch all around to create a hem and finished edges.
• Ribbon in a coordinating color:  4 – 14-inch long pieces
• Scissors
• Thread or fabric glue or iron-on adhesive
• Iron

1. Cut fabric to size needed.  Turn fabric edges over 1-inch and press.

2.  Sew or fuse edges with Iron-On Adhesive or fabric glue.

3. Sew or fuse ribbon on wrong side of runner where I marked the pink stars in the above diagram.

4. Place over chair back and tie on.

In my post that I did back in December showing my holiday décor, I received many emails and comments about the chandelier in the room.   It was a builder brass cheap-o fixture that I made over.  If you are interested in how I did it, you can find the post, here.

Maybe now that I am loving the new colors so much, I will spend more time in the room now.

Anyone want to come over for dinner?  Potluck?

Update:  I have painted the dining room table, walls, and added new drapes to the room.  You can find the updates here:

Dining Room Table Makeover

New Drapes and Repurposed Curtain Rod

How to Change the Color of Dining Room Chairs

Related Posts:

 No-Sew Instant Chair Back Slipcovers for Dining Room Chairs

Seasonal Easy Change Chair Covers

How to Make Over a Boring Chandelier