How to Make Monogrammed Slipcovers for Outdoor Chaise Lounge Chairs
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How to make two types of outdoor slipcovers for outdoor chair cushions or any porch or patio chair using ready made terrycloth beach or bath towels. The first way requires no sewing to cover outdoor chairs. The second slipcover requires some sewing.
Post Updated: 7/2/2020
If the chair cushions on your outdoor chairs are old, ugly, faded, ripped or you just want your outdoor chairs to look or feel better on a hot summer day then don’t throw them away… re-cover them.
How to Make Outdoor Lounge Chair Slipcovers
Cushions BEFORE
To make slipcovers for these old chaise cushions I used fluffy white bath sheet towels that I bought for $6 a piece at a Ollie’s Discount Store. Walmart and Target sell large white towels that are affordable.
Before I started making the slipcovers for the cushions, I added some length to them since they were too short for the chairs.
To do this, 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. Not pretty, but I knew the slipcover would hide this addition.
Cushions AFTER with Monogrammed Towel Slipcovers
supplies needed:
- Beach towels or large bath sheets: Each chaise required two and a half towels. You could also use terry cloth fabric yardage from the fabric store
- Thread
- Sewing machine
- Scissors
- Pencil
The towel cover is made up of 3 pieces – top, underside, and a flap. It is basically a long pillow case with a flap.
This photo will give you a better idea on how I constructed the towel slipcovers. 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 another towel to the end of the top and bottom towels to add length. Once the flap is over the front all the way it hides this seam.
- Wash the towels in hot water for shrinkage and to get rid of extra lint.
2. Place the chaise cushion on one towel to make a pattern.
3. Optional: If your towel is long enough you can skip this step: The towels I bought were shorter than the chaise, so after I cut the long side off, I then used that excess section of towel to sew to the top to add the length I needed. I made sure I placed where this seam would be at the top opening of the slipcover so the flap would hide it.
4. 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.
5. Once they were both cut out and the same length, place the right sides of the top and underside pieces together and pin and sew the two sides and bottom together.
The slipcover looked like a sleeping bag at this point.
6. Turn right side out.
7. Straighten and smooth corners and press if needed.
Add Slipcover Flap
- To make the flap section for the cover, cut the 3rd towel in half width-wise.
Optional: Have had each flap section of the towel monogrammed by a local monogram shop. Google to find one in your area. The monogram is 4 1/2″ high. Cost was $14.00.
2. This monogrammed piece is for the “flap” section of the slipcover. Measure 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. This flap will hide the seam I had to make since my towels were not as long as the cushions.
3. Sew the right side of the flap to the right side of the underside section of the slipcover.
Chaise Lounges With New Towel Covers
Simple, spa-like, easy to remove and washable outdoor chair slipcovers.
Flip the flap over the top of the cushion.
When they get dirty, I can simply remove them to wash.
Hi Diane,
These look fabulous. I would love these by our pool. I’m glad you guys take time to relax and I look forward to when you can fully relax in those chaises as you intend. In the meantime know you are not alone (something I often dislike hearing), but I am there and my brother was laid off a year ago. There’s something about relaxing outside (and a pool) that brings some fun though!
:) Sydney
This is the best idea EVER for loungers! I totally want to do this! I’m always dragging a mishmash of towels along with me when using mine because they just feel the nicest to sit on. Brilliant! Love the white, they look very luxurious. :)
Donna
They are spa like! I love that you monogrammed them with our last initial too :) I actually was going to make a cover out of towels for the boat cushion. It gets pretty hot to lay on. It’s just oddly shaped. I love the way yours turned out.
Those are so great! If I only had a pool I’d make some myself!
Hi Julie-
You don’t need a pool, the terrycloth is the perfect outdoor summer fabric and great when it is hot out. If you are sitting on a chair in shorts. No more sticking to the cushions.
I’m so glad you stopped by my blog so that I could find yours! You have such unique ideas. Your chaise slipcovers are so perfect by the pool and I LOVE your roladex project a few posts back….I’m adding it to my To-Do list!