Making Your Own Seat Covers

When you want to make some changes to the decorating in your home, you might think that this means you'll need to start shopping for new furnishings. With that mindset, you might begin to worry about what this project will cost, especially if you want new furniture.

You don't have to go to extremes to make changes around your home, however. There are some easy and inexpensive ways to get a fresh look in the interior of your home without replacing everything that you already own.

Getting a new look in your home can be as simple as a coat of paint on the walls or a new rug in the living room. But what about your furniture? Maybe you've grown tired of the pattern, or are sick of seeing old spots and stains on the upholstery. In this case, it seems like a shame to just replace your furniture, especially if it is still fairly new and in decent structural condition.

A great solution to you furniture dilemma is to use covers. Using a seat cover to change the look of a chair can offer it new life as well as the added bonus of protection from wear, tear, and stains. Not only does this help extend how long you can use the furniture, but it gives you the opportunity to get a brand new look to add to the atmosphere of your home. Better yet, if you make your own seat covers, you will save a lot of money by not needing to buy new furniture or pre-made covers.

If you want to take on the project of making your own seat covers, you will need to start with measurements. This means you'll have to measure the area of the chair that needs to be covered. You have various options for covering your chairs. First, you could just cover the seat cushion area of the chair with new fabric. You could also opt for more of a slip cover style, which is a bit simpler. Or, you could totally reupholster the chair. It depends on the kind of look you want and the amount of work you are willing to do. Whatever you choose, you will need a sewing machine and some kind of in-depth guide to help you through the process.

Once you have your basic measurements and know how much fabric you'll need for the project, your next step will be to choose the fabric itself. This can be more difficult than it sounds, since not only do you need to select the proper colors and patterns to suit your home but also the right material. You will want something that is both durable and comfortable. Price is also another factor you may need to consider.

With your fabric ready, you can begin your seat cover project. Although it may take a little time to finish, the end result will be worth it—chairs that seem brand new and a fresh look for your interior decorating.