How to Improve Upon Your Favorite Recliner
Decide which options you would like for your recliner. If you’ll be adding head pillow or other pillows you’ll need some foam pieces. Regardless of what you add, you’ll need soft fabric that won’t easily show dirt but will be simple to sew.
Measure from a few inches above the floor, on one side of the chair, to the same distance on the opposite side. This will be the length of the horizontal piece. Measure a few inches from the front edge of the arm to a few inches from the back edge of the arm. This will be the width of the horizontal piece. Cut the measurements for this piece from the new fabric. Hem all the way around the piece.
Cut 2 pieces of fabric which are approximately 10″ x the length of the arm from front to back. These pieces will form the pockets of the horizontal piece. After sewing the pockets onto the horizontal piece you will be able to store remote control and other items.
Stitch across one long edge of the small pieces of fabric which will form the pockets. Align the pocket towards the very bottom edge of the horizontal piece of fabric. Stitch into place, folding a half-inch under as you go around the pocket. Do the same to the opposite side.
Lay the horizontal piece out on the recliner. It should go from just above the floor, up and over the arm, across the seat, up and over the opposite arm, then down near the floor. The pockets should hang close to the floor – one on each side.
If you want to add pillows to the arms do so now. Cut the foam piece to the desired size, or purchase pillows with thin covering. Lift the horizontal fabric piece and place the pillow where desired. Hold into place and take to a nearby table, flipping over the fabric with pillow facing upward. Cut a piece of thin fabric slightly larger than the pillow. Place the fabric over the pillow and stitch around the fabric, folding fabric under a half-inch as you go along the perimeter. Do the same to the opposite side.
Now that your pockets and arm pillows are stitched in you’re ready to make the vertical piece to this project. The vertical piece will attach to the horizontal piece, on the seat area. For the vertical piece, measure from a few inches behind the headrest of the chair, up and over the top, down the front back piece, across the seat, and down to the foot rest area of the chair. Allow a few extra inches to hang over the foot piece.
After cutting the vertical piece hem all the way around it. If you will b putting in a head pillow do so now. Place the pillow in the desired position and hold in place. Turn vertical piece, with pillow, upside-down on a table, where pillow is facing upward. Cut a thin piece of fabric slightly larger than the pillow. Place the fabric over the pillow and stitch around the perimeter, tucking the thin material under a half-inch as you sew.
Align the vertical and horizontal pieces properly on the chair. Mark where the pieces meet on the seat. Stitch the pieces together by sewing horizontally across the seat back and the seat front, catching the vertical piece as you do so. If you want extra padding in the seat, place the pillow or foam between the vertical and horizontal pieces before stitching them together. In this case, sew all the way around the pillow.
If this is all you want to do to the chair, trim off excess fabric and hem across the bottom of the vertical piece. If you want to add a foot pillow, cut the foam or place the pillow in the position desired. Use a thin piece of fabric, from the backside, to stitch and hold the pillow in place.
Many people love their recliner but after awhile, it can sag and lose its fluffiness. Making an all-in-one recliner insert can give you comfort, storage and more. And, you don’t have to make the insert only for a recliner, you can make it for a chair as well.
