Do you have a a dated office chair that needs a bit of love? Why not make a grain sack slipcover? It’s easier than you think.
I love my office chair and spend a good bit of time here. So I want it to be comfortable and lovely. I also wanted a new look. I considered painting the chair, but didn’t want the permanency that would go with the paint. I wanted to change out the look, so I turned to my old standby… slipcovering.
Amazingly a grain sack fit the back of the chair perfectly. I opened part of the side seam at the top of the arms.
Next I pinned the corners to fit the curve of the chair back. I sewed along this line so the top of the slipcover would conform to the shape of the chair back.
Now I need a piece of fabric the size of the seat. I cut a piece of heavy brown craft paper to the size of the seat. I used it to cut a piece of fabric the size of the chair seat. I added a 1/2 inch seam allowance all the way around that pattern. For the seat fabric, I used a drop cloth, since that is what I had at my house.
After cutting the seat fabric, I attached it to the grain sack back.
Then I made a ruffle to go around the seat. I determined the height I wanted, added a 1/2 inch seam allowance and 1 1/2 inches for the bottom hem. For the width of fabric I measured the perimeter of the seat and doubled that length. Then I used the ruffler to sew the ruffle. The photo below is from another ruffle I made, but it shows the ruffler in use. If you purchase a ruffler, be sure it is compatible for your sewing machine.
Once the ruffle was cut, ruffled, and hemmed, I attached it with pins, then sewed it on. Below you see the skirt attached wrong side up.
Be sure to leave an opening for your chair arms. I hemmed the back of the grain sack so that it was the same length as the skirt, then attached a ribbon for closure.
This was one of the simplest and fastest slipcovers I have ever made.
Here is the finished product.
Well I really like the new look.
Why is this an awesome solution?
1. It can be done for the cost of a grain sack and one drop cloth. That is much cheaper than paying for new upholstery.
2. It’s fast. This is one of the quickest slipcovers I have ever made.
3. It’s reversible. I don’t mean the slipcover is reversible. I mean it can be removed easily if you decided later you don’t like the slipcover. Upholstery is far more permanent. And painting the leather also is pretty permanent.
4. It completely updates the chair.
5. It’s neutral and works with many looks.
So here you go, the BEFORE,
and the AFTER.
So if you have a leather office chair that you are a bit bored with, you can try this too. If you have been wanting to try a slipcover project, this would be a good beginner project. Don’t start with a wing-back chair!!
To see more of the study, click HERE.
That was easy! Looks great! Brand new chair for a brand new year.
Wow – what a great idea, Anita! I have an dated burgundy leather office chair that I’ve been trying to figure out how to update. I’ve been considering painting it, but was afraid the paint would chip off. I’ve shied away from making slipcovers, but this one looks super easy!
Great looking chair and cover! You do make it look very simple
What a great improvement! I have a ruffler for my serger but it is so hard to use I will look for one for the sewing machine on your advice. It looks great! Thank you for sharing.
Hugs,
Joy/theoldefarmhouse.blogspot.com
Makes the whole room look better!!!
Great ,easy directions. I love it. Thank you!
Anita,
WoW!!!
Amazing transformation, dear friend!!!
I adore how adding the slipcover lightened the whole room.
Change is constant in my home, so this would be a perfect solution!!!
L O V E the advice. . .”Don’t start with a wing-back chair!!”
Fondly,
Pat
Beautifully done! I have a chair I’ve been pondering changes to a desk chair – always love the French grain sack fabric!
I hope you have a fantastic weekend,
Kathy
it turned out beautifully, Anita! I’m actually tackling a slip cover this week with a large round ottoman. You make it look simple….that’s a great thing!
I really like your slip cover for your desk chair. Ruffles are not so easy for me, but yours look great(I don’t have a ruffler attachment). Also, where in the world did you get the neat desk? Beautiful!
Carlotta, I found it at the auction.
Anita,
This looks perfect! I have a few frenchy chairs that I have been thinking about doing slipcovers for but have been hesitant about doing it. It just looks intimidating! But seeing this has made feel like I can do it!
Best,
Cindy
Anita, I love this idea! I need to make a slipcover for my office chair.
Hugs,
Sherry
I know it will be beautiful Sherry.
Love the chair, desk, everything. ..but that is THE best rug ever! Where do you find something like that?