- 1). Lay butcher paper down on the floor. Position the chair back against the paper. Trace the outline of the chair back down to the seat level. Measure the thickness of the chair back and add a few inches to the sides and top to account for that measurement, notes familyfun.go.com. Add one inch around the top and sides and cut out the pattern. Measure the pattern and multiply by 2 for the amount of cloth of each color needed for one chair. Multiply that number by the number of dining chairs for the total amount of cloth needed.
- 2). Purchase fabric in two patterns or colors. Pin the butcher paper pattern to the fabric. Cut out two patterns of each color for each chair. You should have a total of four pieces of cloth cut for each chair.
- 3). Place a piece of cloth from each color together, with the "good" side facing in. Pin the cloth together along all four sides. If necessary, iron the cloth to prevent buckling. Sew around all four sides, by hand or machine, leaving a half-inch seam, suggests AllFreeCrafts.com. On the bottom side, sew one-third inch from each side, leaving a hole in the center. Turn the cloth inside out through the hole. Iron again to smooth and flatten seams. Fold any hanging material back into the hole and sew it together. Repeat with two other pieces of cloth, one of each color.
- 4). Place the prepared cover panels together, with the same color facing the inside. Pin the panels to keep them in place. Use a color of embroidery thread to match or complement the outside color. Thread an embroidery needle with a long piece of thread, single or doubled. Knot the end to keep it from pulling through.
- 5). Begin at the bottom of one side, loop the needle through both panels, around the edge and back through. Continue looping the thread around the edge of the panels along the side, across the top, and down the next side. Double loop the thread at the bottom corner and tie it off. Trim excess embroidery thread.
- 6). Iron the finished chair cover. Flip the cover inside-out through the open bottom side. Iron again. If desired, you can loop embroidery thread around the seam for the other color as well, but it is not necessary to keep the panels together. Iron the panels on the side you will use for the best shape.
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