How to Make Wingback Chair Slipcovers

Slipcovers are a fantastic way to refresh and protect your furniture while adding a touch of personal style to your home. Wingback chairs, with their elegant and timeless design, can greatly benefit from custom slipcovers that fit snugly and look seamless. Whether you’re looking to update worn fabric, match a new decor theme, or simply add versatility to your furniture, making your own wingback chair slipcovers is an achievable and rewarding DIY project. By following a few key steps, you can create a custom cover that enhances both the appearance and longevity of your chair. This guide explores the key aspects of how to make wingback chair slipcovers.

Benefits of Making Custom Slipcovers Yourself

Making custom slipcovers yourself comes with a host of advantages. Firstly, it allows for complete personalization—whether you want a specific fabric, color, or pattern, the choice is entirely yours. This makes it easy to match your furniture with your existing decor or to create a unique look for your space.

Additionally, crafting your own slipcovers can be more cost-effective than purchasing pre-made or professionally tailored options, especially if you already have sewing materials and tools at home. Another important benefit is the ability to measure and tailor the slipcover precisely to fit your furniture, ensuring a snug and polished appearance. Lastly, the process can be highly rewarding and enjoyable, giving you the satisfaction of creating something functional and aesthetically pleasing with your own hands.

Why Make Your Own Wingback Chair Slipcover

Creating your own wingback chair slipcover allows you to breathe new life into an old, worn-out piece of furniture without the need to replace it entirely. It offers complete creative freedom, as you can choose the exact fabric, color, and texture to suit your decor and personal style. Additionally, making your own slipcover can save money while extending the life of your chair by protecting it from spills, stains, and general wear. The ability to customize every detail ensures a perfect fit, providing your furniture with a tailored and professional look. For those who enjoy DIY projects, crafting a slipcover can also be a fulfilling and enjoyable experience, adding a personalized touch to your home.

10 Methods How to Make Wingback Chair Slipcovers

1. Assessing the Chair and Choosing the Right Fabric

The first step in making a wingback chair covers is assessing the structure of your chair. Observe its dimensions, curves, wings, and legs to understand how the fabric will need to be cut and fitted. Measure the height from the floor to the top of the chair, the depth of the seat, and the width across the arms and wings. Once you have accurate measurements, choose a durable yet flexible fabric such as cotton duck, canvas, linen, or a polyester blend. Heavier fabrics work well for structure, while lighter fabrics are easier to manipulate around curves. Pre-wash your fabric to avoid future shrinkage and to soften the material before cutting and sewing.

2. Creating a Paper or Muslin Pattern

To ensure an accurate and custom fit, it’s helpful to create a pattern before cutting your final fabric. Use paper, muslin, or inexpensive fabric to trace the shape of each chair section: the back, wings, arms, seat, and base. Pin the fabric or paper directly to the chair and trace the contours with a fabric pencil, allowing extra inches for seam allowance (typically one inch). Label each piece clearly and mark areas where seams will meet or overlap. This pattern will serve as your blueprint and help minimize fabric waste or fit errors when you transfer it to the final material.

3. Cutting the Fabric Accurately

After finalizing your pattern, lay it on your selected fabric and cut each section carefully. Use sharp fabric scissors and cut with precision, following the outline of your paper or muslin pattern. Always double-check the alignment of the grain of the fabric to prevent skewed or twisted results. It’s helpful to pin the pattern securely in place or trace it with chalk before cutting. Label each fabric piece to match your pattern notes. Taking the time to cut correctly ensures that your slipcover will sit properly on the chair and not pull, wrinkle, or sag in awkward places.

4. Sewing the Main Panels Together

With your fabric pieces ready, begin sewing the main panels—starting from the inside out. Typically, you’ll start by joining the seat to the inside arms, followed by the wings and then the backrest. Use a straight stitch for most seams, and reinforce high-stress areas like corners and curves with double stitching. As you sew, press seams open with an iron to keep the fabric flat and reduce bulk. Fit the partially sewn slipcover onto the chair occasionally to test the shape and make small adjustments as needed. Patience and precision in this phase will pay off with a snug and tailored final fit.

5. Shaping Around the Wings and Arms

Wingback chairs have distinct arm and wing shapes that require careful shaping. To create smooth curves around these areas, make small notches in the seam allowance of the curved pieces before sewing them to adjoining sections. These notches allow the fabric to bend naturally without bunching. Use pins generously to hold curved seams in place and sew slowly to maintain control. You may also use darts—small, sewn folds—to remove excess fabric and contour tightly to the shape. Proper shaping ensures a clean silhouette that enhances the chair’s elegant structure rather than obscuring it with loose fabric.

6. Adding Skirts or Decorative Trim

Slipcovers can be finished with a tailored skirt, box pleats, or ruffles depending on the desired aesthetic. Measure the base perimeter of your chair and cut skirt panels accordingly, adding extra length for pleats if desired. Hem the bottom edge of the skirt first for a clean finish. Then, attach the skirt to the main slipcover by pinning it at the bottom of the seat piece, aligning seams and pleats carefully. Sew the skirt with a strong, straight stitch and finish with topstitching for reinforcement. Adding trim like piping, welting, or decorative tape can elevate the design and define the chair’s shape.

7. Installing Zippers or Velcro Closures

To make your slipcover removable and easy to clean, include an opening mechanism such as a zipper, Velcro, or even fabric ties. The most discreet option is a zipper along the back seam, hidden by a flap of overlapping fabric. Alternatively, Velcro strips or snap fasteners can be placed under the seat or along the rear side. If sewing a zipper, use a zipper foot for your sewing machine to ensure precision. Closures should be functional yet subtle, allowing the slipcover to be taken off easily without distracting from the overall look.

8. Fitting and Adjusting the Slipcover

Once your slipcover is assembled, slip it over the chair and adjust for the final fit. Smooth out wrinkles, align seams with the chair’s edges, and tuck fabric securely into crevices. If needed, make final alterations such as taking in side seams or reshaping corners. Use upholstery pins or tuck grips to hold fabric in place where it may shift during use. A well-fitted slipcover should hug the contours of the chair, allowing it to look neat and intentional—not baggy or ill-sized. Taking the time to fine-tune the fit ensures both comfort and visual appeal.

9. Hemming the Edges and Final Stitching

With the slipcover fitted and adjusted, it’s time to finish the edges and seams. Use a blind hem for a professional look, especially at the bottom skirt or edges. Fold under the raw fabric edges and press them before sewing for crisp lines. If you added piping or trim, reinforce the seam with an extra row of stitching. Check all seams and stitching for strength and neatness. Finalizing your edges with care ensures that the slipcover not only looks polished but also holds up well with regular use and washing.

10. Caring for and Maintaining Your Slipcover

After completing your slipcover, proper care will help preserve its appearance and longevity. Follow the fabric care instructions—most canvas, cotton, and poly-blend fabrics are machine washable. If your slipcover includes decorative trim, piping, or a zipper, use a gentle cycle and mild detergent. Line dry or tumble dry on low to avoid shrinkage. Regularly remove the slipcover to shake out dust or spot-clean minor stains. Iron as needed to keep it looking crisp. Caring for your slipcover properly ensures it remains a beautiful, functional addition to your home for years to come.

Conclusion

In conclusion, making a slipcover for a wingback chair is an involved but satisfying process that allows you to customize your space with style and practicality. From choosing fabric and creating patterns to fitting curves and adding finishing touches, each method contributes to a tailored, elegant result. By following these ten detailed steps, you can create a beautiful, removable slipcover that not only enhances your chair but also reflects your creativity and craftsmanship. Thanks for reading our blog post on how to make wingback chair slipcovers! We hope you found it helpful and informative.