Inspired by cute Valentine's
envelope chair backers at Pottery Barn Kids, I pulled together a few supplies to make a pair for Dylan's
Ikea LÄTT table & chairs set. I changed the design of mine slightly for a more "masculine" look by leaving off the scallops and replacing the large heart with a button.
Supplies
- white felt (I used a packaged 36" x 36" sheet; smaller sheets would also work)
- white & red thread
- velcro
- red embroidery floss
- 2 red buttons
Start by measuring the chairs you want to place the envelopes on to determine your envelope size. I made my envelopes 11" wide by 8" high. Since I opted not to add scallops, I was able to cut each envelope as one large piece. With help from my assistant, I drew out the design using fabric marker and traced one of our china dinner plates
(Pottery Barn, fittingly!) to create the curve at the opening end:
After cutting out the envelope shapes, I measured the top of the chairs to determine the size for the straps. To do this, use a tape measure to go all the way around the top of the chair where the envelope will attach - remember to overlap for where the velcro will affix. My straps were 9" long by 1.5" wide.
I folded my large cut piece into the envelope shape and held it to the chairs to determine strap placement. Knowing I wanted the straps at the outermost point and near the top, I decided on 1" in on each side and 1/2" down. Pin straps at the desired locations and sew onto the envelope piece:
Add a strip of velcro to the top end of each strap. Add the second piece on the opposite end & opposite side to secure to chair later. I literally took the envelope to the chair again after sewing on the first piece and used my fabric marker to note the location for the second piece ensuring a good, snug fit:
Fold the front up, pin and sew along both sides and the bottom at 1/4" in from edge:
Sew along the two angled edges of the flap, also at 1/4" in, to add definition, if desired. Next, hand stitch the red embroidery stitches just inside the lines you sewed by machine - all three sides of the flap and the sides and bottom of the envelope. I used DMC floss #321.
Finally, add button holes to the flaps. I used my sewing machine's button hole option to do this (
tip: use fusible interfacing on the backside of the flap to stiffen and make this process easier). Hand stitch a red button on each envelope to create closure.
Finally, place on chairs and enjoy! If you create your own, let me know - I'd love to see. :)
