Making a channel-back chair slipcover is a great way to update your piece at a fraction of the cost of upholstery. Surprisingly, you can make this slipcover with just basic sewing skills. I’ll show you how to cover that old chair and have it look great quickly!
I inherited this channel back chair from my grandmother years ago. She has since passed away, which gave the chair an even greater meaning to me.
While I loved the shape and look of the chair, I absolutely hated this upholstery. It’s a horrible green velvet that screams 1970s.
The Many Changes In the Channel Back Chair
For a while, the chair sat untouched in the garage. I had several quotes for getting it reupholstered, but none of them were cheap. It just always seems like there are more important things to spend that much money on.
One day, while scrolling through DIY projects online, I came across painting a chair’s upholstery. It looked easy enough and seemed to turn out great.
However, the thick velvet upholstery on the chair didn’t lend itself to being painted. It drank up the paint and was cakey in some areas. The chair looked worse than before.
This led to the chair affectionately being called “the painted chair,” and it was a joke my husband had on me for years. I’ll admit it was pretty awful.
Eventually, this led to me wanting to slipcover the chair.
Having slipcovered several pieces of furniture in our home, I knew it was something I could probably accomplish. Check out my Bergere chair slipcover.
It did take some creativity, but if you want to slipcover a channel-back chair, here’s how to do it.
I am not a professional seamstress, so some of you experts out there are probably going to gasp at my techniques. This tutorial is for those who are beginners or possess basic sewing skills.
Fabric For Making A Channel Back Chair Slipcover
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When you’re choosing an upholstery fabric for a channel-back chair slipcover, keep the pattern in mind. There are several pieces and folds in the chair, so a heavily patterned fabric isn’t the best choice.
I chose to go with a 7-ounce cotton duck fabric. The fabric has a nice drape and is easy for a standard sewing machine to handle.
I actually had the fabric on hand from an old set of curtains I was no longer using.
You could also use a drop cloth for this project. Be sure to order a cotton drop cloth without any seams.
This project can be tricky if you have never sewn a slipcover before. I recommend using a less expensive fabric if it’s your first slipcover project.
Hemp is another fabric option that’s great for slipcovers. It costs a little more than a drop cloth and cotton duck. However, if you are comfortable with your sewing skills and want something a little nicer, Hemp is a great choice.
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How To Make a Channel Back Chair Slipcover
To make the slipcover, begin by examining the piece. Each chair is going to be different. There are going to be areas you really have to think through.
Consider how you are going to get your slipcover on and off the chair. There are several ways you can accomplish this.
Overlapping two pieces of fabric on the back of the chair is a great way to create a removable slipcover.
I chose to leave the sides open for this piece. I just liked the look of the solid back with the ties on the sides.
Creating The Base of The Channel Back Chair
Start by covering the back of the chair with fabric. Pin-fit the fabric to get the right fit. Be sure to pin the right side of the fabric facing the chair and the wrong side facing out.
Getting the length of the back wasn’t easy with the shape of this chair. I had to pin it several times to get it to fit just right. It’s helpful to have long sewing pins to hold the fabric in place.
After fitting the back fabric, trim around the edges of the fabric using the upholstering seams as a guide. Be sure to leave a 1-inch seam allowance.
Next, pin-fit the fabric to the front of the chair. A channel-back chair will have deep folds in the upholstery.
Be sure to remove the seat cushion from the chair before fitting the fabric to the front of the chair.
Working With Channels
You can cover these channels in a couple of ways.
The easiest way to cover the channels is with a solid piece of fabric. However, this will take away some of the charm of the channels.
Another method is to allow enough slack in the fabric to tuck into the folds. If you are a better seamstress, you can sew a seam along each channel, which will add to the tucked look. I chose to leave enough fabric for tucking for an easier project.
Pin fit the fabric along the upholstery seams, leaving a 1-inch seam allowance.
Pin the front and back pieces of the fabric together where you want to sew your seam. Use the pins as a guide for sewing to get a tight fit.
You can also add piping to the edges if you want a more tailored look. I chose to use pre-made piping for this project.
Sew the front piece of fabric to the back piece, making sure the wrong sides face each other.
If you are adding piping to the chair, pin the piping sandwiched between the seams facing inward.
Next, pin-fit the fabric to the seat of the chair. Attach the front piece of fabric to the seat fabric of the chair.
Pin the wrong sides of the fabric together and sew the front piece to the seat.
Sewing The Arms of The Channel Back Chair
After attaching the seat to the back front of the chair, pin-fit the arms. This is where you will have to get creative with your design.
I liked the look of the wooden arms of the chair and didn’t want to cover them. I chose the leave the front of the arms exposed for this reason.
You could also finish the arms with piping for a tailored look.
Attach the arm fabric to the front and seat of the chair. You will also want to attach the arms to the back piece if you aren’t leaving it open, as I did for closure.
Attaching the Skirt
Pin fit the skirt of the chair. Be sure to add a seam allowance for the bottom hem of the chair. I prefer to use the seams of the drop cloth to make this easier. If you are working with a fabric without seams, be sure to leave a 1 ½- seam allowance.
Pin the skirt to the seat and arms of the chair. Be sure to pin the wrong sides together. Sew along the seam. You can add piping to the seam if you prefer.
Sewing the Ties
Next, create the ties for the chair. Cut your fabric 2 inches wide and 8 to 12 inches long.
Press the outer edges of the strip to create a ¼ inch fold all the way around.
Fold the fabric in half and stitch along the outer edges to create your ties.
Apply the ties to the slipcover in your desired location. Pin the ties to the wrong side of the slipcover and attach them with stitching around in a box for a secure fit.
After sewing the slipcover together, turn the cover’s right side out. Press the seams open and press the slipcover.
Slipcovering The Cushions of The Channel Back Chair
Next, you’ll move on to covering the cushions of the chair. These cushions were easy because they already had piping along the edges.
Construct the cushions in 4 separate pieces. Begin by laying a solid piece of fabric over the top of the cushion. Leave enough seam allowance to account for the piping and seam.
Once you have sized and cut the top of the cushion, pin it in place. Measure and cut a separate piece of fabric for the center of the cushion. It should wrap around the cushion, creating a “box appearance”.
On the underside of the seat cushion, you will need two pieces of fabric. You’re going to overlap the edges similar to the back of the chair.
The overlapping of the edges allows for the removal of the slipcover for washing.
Connect the top piece, middle piece, and bottom piece with the piping sandwiched between the layers. This will close the cushion cover.
Again, be sure to pin the slipcover as close to the cushion as possible to ensure a snug fit.
Finish the seams of the slipcover with a serger or a zig-zag stitch to prevent fraying.
Repeat the process for all of the chair cushions.
If your chair also has an ottoman like mine did, create it using a similar process to the cushions.
Instead of applying a bottom piece, attach a skirt to the bottom of the slipcover at your desired length.
Helpful Tips for Making a Slipcover for An Antique Channel Back Chair
Pre-shrink your fabric. When you are working with cotton fabrics, it’s important to preshrink them before sewing. This will ensure the finished product fits properly.
Have a lot of pins and a seam ripper handy. When you are working with an old chair that has as many folds as a channel back, getting the proper fit can be tricky. Be sure to have a seam ripper and push pins available to hold the fabric in place and make necessary adjustments.
Patience is everything. If you’ve ever made a slipcover before, you know it takes patience to complete it. Set aside plenty of time to work on the project. Walk away for a little bit if you get frustrated.
Iron the slipcover frequently. Ironing the slipcover helps to ensure to have a snug, tight fit. I always have a hot iron hand when sewing. It makes the process easier.
Buy more fabric than you need. If this is your first time sewing a slipcover, be sure to buy more fabric than you think you’ll need. This will leave you room for errors.
FAQs
Is a DIY channel-back chair slipcover an easy project for a beginner?
Yes and no. I am not an expert seamstress, but I do have some very basic sewing skills. You need to know your way around your machine and have a general idea of how to sew a seam.
You don’t need to be an expert to sew the slipcover.
What is a channel back chair?
A channel-back chair has deep folds or “channels” in the back of the chair, giving it its trademark name.
How much time will I need to make a channel back chair slipcover?
I was able to complete this project on the weekend. It took around 6 hours from start to finish. The time it takes you will depend on how fast your workflow is.
Final Thoughts
You can create a great slipcover for a channel-back chair for a fraction of the cost of upholstery. It just takes patience and a little creativity to enhance this classic piece for your home.
Whether you are an experienced seamstress or new to sewing, give this slipcover project a try!
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