Valentine Envelope Chair Backers

Inspired by cute Valentine 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

Instructions

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. 🙂

Looking for more Valentine’s Day crafts? Follow my Valentine’s board on Pinterest.

Follow Sarah Coggins’s board Valentine’s Day on Pinterest.