Chair Pocket / Seat Sack Tutorial

*


As promised.

This chair pocket / seat sack is a super simple project, but very fun and rewarding, if you're anything like me you'll feel all Martha Stewart awesome once you've put these on your chairs. (I sincerely apologize for the worlds most craptastic tutorial images!)

Shall we get right to it?

My measurements are for a Kindergarten sized chair. They also work great on Pottery Barn, Ikea, or other small child chairs.

To adapt for larger chairs:
  • To widen add about 5" to the total width at the top of your chair back. If your chair back is 16" your piece of fabric will be 21" wide.
  • To lengthen ... this pattern will make a seat sack that is about 15" in total height. Personally, I wouldn't make it much longer because you want to be able to reach the bottom, but if you decide to add a little add double what you want to add to the length. For example, if you want it 1" longer add 2" to the total length of your cut fabric piece.
Duck, denim, twill, and other heavier fabrics work best for this project. Your fabric should be the same on both sides, because both sides will be showing.

Read all instructions before beginning.

Cut a piece of fabric 15" by 36".

Hem the two short edges, one to the top of the fabric and one to the bottom. Looking at the fabric piece they will be hemmed to opposite sides of the fabric (one hem will face you, one will face away from you).

Next fold one short end of the fabric down 7", with the backside of the hem facing up, as in the image below. Along the folded edge mark 2" in on both sides. I use a pin, which is then also holding the fabric in place. Also pin 5" down from the fold on both sides.


Stitch down the side, beginning at a top pin (remove pin first) to the bottom corner of the hemmed edge. Have your stitching be 1/2" from the edge when you get to the side pin. Reinforce stitching at hem. Trim.


Edge stitch along your newly created and trimmed seam, reinforcing at the hemmed edge. This "pocket" will envelope your chair top.


Turn right side out and press.

Next create your book/toy/misc. items pocket.

Lay your fabric with newly sewn "pocket" facing you, fold the remaining hemmed edge up. The backside of the hemmed bottom edge should be facing you. Pin in place with hemmed edge 5" from top of previously created fold (or 2" up from other hemmed edge).


Fold bottom edge of fabric up about 1". Pin in place.


Stitch in place, stitching very slightly over top of hem. Reinforce stitching at hem and bottom fold. Trim at hem.


Edge stitch, reinforcing at hem and bottom fold.


Turn and press.

If you make one (or many) of these please share a link to images in the comments, or send to becauseimme@gmail.com. I'd love to see what you come up with!

And then : awe and amaze your family with your organizational and creative genius.


Shop Because I'm Me for cotton bow ties and neckties

You Might Also Like

8 Comment

  1. I love these chairs and think I must find some! Thrift shop recommendations??

    ReplyDelete
  2. I just started making the 30 I need for my classroom. Thank you so much for this tutorial. It is the most cost and time effective one I found. The first one took a while, but now they are going quickly. If only my sewing machine would stop fighting with the upholstery thread, it would be much quicker. Thanks again!

    ReplyDelete
  3. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am in the process of making 32 of these and I am confused about this particular part...Along the folded edge mark 2" in on both sides. I use a pin, which is then also holding the fabric in place. I don't find a reference for it in the rest of the instructions would you please clarify this for me. Thank you Vesta

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks so much!!! So helpful and these chair pockets will be great. I am making 40 of these. :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. So I followed the pattern and the first one I made I took to the school classroom and we couldn't fit all the books in the pocket. So instead of cutting off the access material after sewing up the pocket sides, I sewed edge to edge so there is access material for the pocket. Much better. More items now fit in the pockets which the kids in 1st grade needed. Thanks for the pattern.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Jody,
    My daughter is a brand new 1st grade teacher and wanted chair pockets for her classroom. A purchased set was about $380 so she asked if I thought I could make some for her. While I like to make an occasional baby blanket for a friend, I sew basic seams and nothing complex ever - so I was definitely nervous and must have read your instructions 20 times before I made my first cut into the fabric. I found your instructions were very easy to follow - the pictures helped tremendously. I used a piece of bright orange satin that I had leftover, to make a sample for her to check the fit with her classroom chairs. Her final fabric will be a cotton ducking [sturdy]. I told her she could keep the orange one for the "special child of the week" and call them a ray of sunshine or save it for Halloween activities :^) Anyway, I really wanted to thank you for posting this thread - you did a wonderful job explaining and detailing the process and you have made a new 1st grade teacher and her brand new class very happy!! Super Thanks from the 1st grade teacher's mom!!

    ReplyDelete