How to make a slipcover for your tub chair
Up to now we have made a tub chair from scratch and have upholstered with lining fabric. Now we make a slipcover for the upholstered tub chair.
Find instructions for making the tub chair here, and for upholstering the tub chair with lining fabric here.
In this project we make the slipcover to fit over the upholstered tub chair. Since the tub chair is upholstered with lining fabric, which has a smooth finish, the slipcover easily slips over and can be removed without fuss for dry cleaning or washing.
YOU WILL NEED:
3 metres of your choice of upholstery fabric
TOOLS:
Craft knife and sharp scissors
Tape measure
Sewing machine and accessories
HERE'S HOW:
1. Use cardboard to make templates for the top of the arms (inluding length for the front of the chairs), the seat, inside and outside sections. On all pieces allow a 12mm seam allowance and a 30mm hem allowance.
2. Pin the top (arm rest) piece to the back section and then pin on the inside seat section. You may need to make allowance for pleats to gather excess fabric. Try to even these out for a professional look once finished.
3. Sew the top section to the outer and inside seat panels. Remember that the top section also extends down the front of the arm (front of chair) and you need to sew this to the sides of the outer and inner sections as well.
GOOD TO KNOW:
Use a loose running stitch for
the test assembly and then tighten up the
stitches and sew again after making any
adustments.
4. With the partially assembled slipcover in place, fit the cut seat and pin this in place around in inside edge of the seat.
5. Under normal circumstances the front panel would be the last piece to be added. It would be upholstered and pinned in place. But since this is only a slipcovered piece, the front panel is just pinned down.
6. The section for the front panel cover is pinned to the seat section and the bottom of the arms (chair front) and this all sewn together and a double-layer of stitching applied, as done on the arms.
7. To finish a hem is folded, pinned and sewn around the outside panel.
