Crafting Universal Wedding Bliss: Chair Covers

Making your own wedding chair covers and sashes is a great way to hide imperfections and make your chairs more appealing. Whether you're dissatisfied with the style of the chairs or want to match them with your wedding colours, you can easily make wedding chair covers and sashes yourself. You can choose from a variety of materials and colours to personalise the chair covers and sashes to your unique taste or wedding theme.

Measure the chair

Before you start making your universal wedding chair cover, you'll need to carefully measure the chair it's meant to cover. This will ensure that you get the best fit.

First, measure the width of the chair from left to right. Start the measurement at the leg base or arms, whichever is the widest point.

Next, measure the depth of the chair, adjacent to the width, from the back to the front. If your chair has a curvature design, start the measurement at the top or bottom of the chair back.

Then, measure the height of the chair from the ground to its highest point. We recommend making the cover 1-2 inches shorter than the chair for breathability.

If your chair has arms, you'll also need to take the following measurements:

• Arm depth: Measure from the tip of the arm to its back.
• Arm width: Measure the top and bottom of the arm at the widest points.
• Arm height: Measure from the tip of the arm down to the cushion base.

If you're making a slipcover with a skirt, you'll also need to measure from underneath the seat cushion down to the floor at the centre of the chair.

Cut the fabric

To make a universal wedding chair cover, you'll need to cut the fabric with precision. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Measure the Chair:

Start by taking detailed measurements of the chair you want to cover. Measure the height of the chair back, the width of the chair back, the depth of the seat, and the width of the seat at both the front and back. If your chair has arms, measure their width and height as well. These measurements will guide your fabric cutting and ensure a snug fit.

Choose Your Fabric:

Select a fabric that suits your wedding theme and colour palette. Consider the weight and texture of the fabric, ensuring it's durable and easy to work with. Take into account any pattern or design on the fabric and how you want it to align on the chair.

Mark Your Measurements:

Using a pencil or chalk, transfer your measurements onto the back of the fabric. If you have a patterned fabric, pay attention to the design and try to match up the lines at the seams for a seamless look. Don't forget to leave a couple of inches at the bottom of the chair for hemming.

Cut Out the Pieces:

Carefully cut out the fabric pieces, leaving about an inch around each edge for the seam allowance. This extra fabric will be folded and sewn to create a neat finish. If you're making multiple covers, ensure you cut the pieces consistently for each chair.

Pin and Cut the Ribbons:

Cut ribbons for the ties; you'll need about 10-inch ribbons, 14 per chair. Pin them to the right side of one fabric panel, placing them in seven places. This will create the ties that secure the cover to the chair. Cut the ribbons and set them aside for now.

Fold and Cut:

Fold your fabric in half, with the right sides together, to cut two pieces simultaneously. Pin your pattern in place and cut around it, maintaining a consistent seam allowance of about 1/2 inch all around. This step ensures that your chair cover pieces are symmetrical.

Prepare the Ribbons:

After cutting the ribbons, pin and lay them onto the fabric panel. Place the other half of the fabric panel on top, with the right sides together, and sew all the way around, leaving an opening of about 6 to 8 inches at the bottom edge. This will be used for turning the fabric right side out.

Trim and Iron:

Trim the seam allowances to about 1/4 inch, especially around the curves, for a neat finish. Then, turn the fabric panel right side out and iron it flat, ensuring all edges are crisp and smooth.

Hand-Stitch the Opening:

Close the opening by hand-stitching it neatly. This will conceal the raw edges and give a professional finish to your chair cover.

Repeat for a Second Panel:

If you're making a full cover for the chair back, repeat the process to create a second panel. This will provide a complete covering for the chair back, with ties to secure it in place.

Now that your fabric is cut and prepared, you're ready to move on to the next steps of creating your universal wedding chair cover.

Sew the fabric

Now that you have your fabric and tulle/ribbon, you can start sewing your universal wedding chair cover.

Sewing the Fabric:

• Cut out two pieces of fabric for each chair, adding 1 inch to the width and height to account for seams when sewing. This will ensure that your cover fits snugly on the chair with neat edges.
• Place the two pieces of fabric on top of each other, with the right sides together. This means that the pretty or patterned sides of the fabric are facing each other.
• Sew a half-inch seam along the top and two sides. This will secure the two pieces together and create a neat edge along the top and sides of the cover.
• Turn the cover right side out. This will hide the seams you just sewed, giving the cover a more polished look.
• Fold the bottom edge of the cover inwards by half an inch and sew it down close to the fold. This will create a neat finish along the bottom edge of the cover, preventing fraying and ensuring the cover stays in place on the chair.
• Slide the cover over the back of the chair to ensure a good fit. Adjust as needed.

Your fabric cover is now complete, and you can move on to adding the tulle or ribbon for a decorative touch.

Add tulle or ribbon

To add tulle or ribbon to your universal wedding chair covers, start by measuring the width of the chair's backrest. You will need a length of tulle or ribbon that is double the width of the chair's backrest. Cut your chosen material—tulle or ribbon—to this length.

Next, wrap the tulle or ribbon around the backrest of the chair. You can either tie it in a neat knot or go for a more voluminous look by tying it into a large bow. If you opt for a bow, you can also trim the ends of the tulle or ribbon into points for a stylish finish.

For an elegant touch, you can pin a flower in the centre of the knot or bow. A silk flower or fresh flower will work well. This will complete your wedding chair cover, adding a beautiful and decorative touch to your wedding chairs.

Pin a flower to the tulle

To pin a flower to the tulle, you can use a few different methods. One way is to use a corsage pin. Fold two squares of pink tulle in half and thread them onto the pin. Then, place four folded stamens around the pinhead and pull the tulle up and over them, tying it tightly with Bowdabra Bow Wire. You can also use a needle and thread to gather the tulle into a flower shape, and then sew or glue it onto the chair cover.

If you want to add a stem to your flower, you can use a thin stick or a flexible wire stem. For the stick option, wrap florist's tape around the stick and the flower receptacle, then continue wrapping down the stick to create a stem. If you want a flexible wire stem, wrap the wire around the flower receptacle and then let out a straight length of wire, bending it back around itself before wrapping the rest of the flower.

To attach the flower to a chair cover, you can use hot glue or sew it on with a needle and thread. If you're using glue, be sure to place something inside the tulle to protect the chair, as hot glue can damage some fabrics. Whichever method you choose, be sure to attach the flower securely, as you don't want it to fall off during the wedding!

Frequently asked questions