How much fabric would I need to complete this look?

I used to work at Hancock Fabrics. First of I'd say that each strip is about 5 yards long, and there are 6 strips per chair, so that's 30 yds of fabric a chair. That's a lot! You can buy chiffon online or any fabric store (Hancock, Joann's) but it won't be cheap unless you hit a sale.

Then you'll have to cut each strip then machine sew the hems. and Chiffon is a b*tch to sew with it being so light, if you aren't used to working with it and get the tension wrong it bunches up and you'll never get it fixed. The hems used on chiffon is called a French hem, its folded twice in a very small hem then sewn. I hate working with the stuff!

Your best bet is to find a company that rents linens, they may have something like this you can rent. I love the look but even as much as I sew this is one DIY I wouldn't touch.

Hope that helps!

You could always buy cheap scarves and go for the same look. Might be easier than finishing the fabric yourself.

Let's say the height of a chair is 36 inches. You would need 72" (6 ft) just to go from the floor, up and around the back, and back down. That is without the extra for pooling on the floor. So 7 - 8 feet per woven piece, this chair has 6 woven pieces to get the look. Lets say the chair is 15 inches wide, so 2.5- 3 inches wide per pieces. 48 feet long and 1.5 ft wide per chair.

Maybe you can find pashminas in bulk? Are you just doing this on the bride and grooms chair?

Oh wow thanks so much for the info! I had no idea! FMIL does a lot of sewing (she is making my veil) maybe I will ask her. I just didn't want to burden her with any more wedding stuff, lol. Scarves may be a good idea! Maybe I can ask my caterer, whom is providing all my linens, if they have something similar to rent. And yep I wanted for mine and FH's chairs. Damn and it looked so simple! Lol.

So pretty and yeah I think scarves might work easy for that too! Or if your getting linens maybe use table runners for it!

I'm estimating 32 yards of fabric (to cover both of the chairs). If you have a JoAnn Fabric near you I would start there, Hobby Lobby is another option. Typically a chiffon from one of the mentioned stores will run around $4-$6 a yard at regular price (however you can usually catch sales and use coupons). Also, just be careful with cutting chiffon, it isn't an easy material to work with, it frays and pulls very easily and the edges really should be bound which is tedious (unless you chose to leave them raw and take the chance they will fray with handling and throughout the night). Anddd the chiffon pictured appears to be silk chiffon which is more costly.

...At least my fashion design education from Moore wasn't completely useless lol!

Oh wow so that is almost 200 bucks for the fabric! That's a lot! @anniebell, could you recommend a more cost efficient fabric that may have a similar romantic/whimsy effect? Thanks for the help ladies!

Wellvat least now I know how much fabric it would take. I have a JoAnn's fabric store down the street and we get coupons all the time so maybe i will look around to find more cost effective fabric that I like. Do you think tule would looj pretty? Or too much like a kids bday party?

Honestly, I think you could get away with using chiffon/satin chair ties. It wouldn't drag the floor and may be a bit shorter, but reting them are at most $1.50/p. at least with them being shorter you wouldn't have to worry about them getting caught on the chair legs etc.

I'm tying my chair sashes in a similar fashion. The chairs are blue and chrome, so I'm using the sashes to hide the backs of the chairs. Me and sister are using elastic cord and glass pearls(on sale $1/string from michaels!), and making them like rings so we don't have to tie them. Plus it'll save time during removal. Just slide the ring down and pull sash off.

I would think you could maybe so this with tulle, and mate see in a hidden fishing line weight to keep them laid down? I'm trying to think of various things. And I think tulle would be cheapest route and still have a soft look. That's I you buy the tulle in the garment area not the wedding aisle.

Thanks, Cheetah! I'm going to look in to the chair tie idea!

I wonder if you could try using cheap full length sheer curtains? Just another idea!

Oh that is a good idea!

Spainey suggested what I was thinking as I read the responses. Sheer curtain panels would probably be the most economical way to achieve this look. It looks like you would need three per chair to weave in and out of the back slats.

Didn't even think of the curtains!!!

Still cost about $30 to do 2 chairs if you used 3 each. Those curtains are generally 52x64 or 60x84...I use the 84" for my windows and they leave a 3" "puddle". Which I love!