How to Make Chair Back Covers

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

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 for my hand-me-down dining room chairs.

Making chair back runners 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.

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.

If you don’t sew, no problem, you can still make these chair back runners. Find out how here:

•  No-Sew Instant Chair Back Slipcovers for Dining Room Chairs

Update:  I have painted the walls and chairs in my dining room since I posted this post.  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
• Painted Corner Cabinet

Related Posts:

Easy Sew Chair Slipcovers

How to Make Over a Boring Chandelier