How to make a disaster hood cover

1. Materials & tools

Materials (standard size)

• Main fabric (quilted cotton or canvas) — about 110 cm wide × 100 cm
• Bias tape (for the edges) — about 150 cm
• Optional: hook-and-loop for the flap

Tools

• Sewing machine (or needle and thread)
• Fabric marker or pencil
• Ruler and scissors
• Iron
• Pins or clips

2. Make the pattern (auto-generated in Katagami)

With the Katagami pattern tool, you just enter the finished size and it drafts a seam-allowance-included pattern, tiled to print at actual size on Letter or A4.

1. Open the tool
   Open the pattern tool and choose “Accessories” → “Disaster hood cover” from the tabs at the top.
2. Enter the size
   Enter the hood width, height and thickness, and the thickness of the chair back. The band length is worked out from the cover width and the chair-back thickness.
3. Set the seam allowance
   Use the slider at the bottom (beginners: 1.0–1.5 cm / about 3/8–5/8 in).
4. Print
   Press “Print (actual size)”, then in the print dialog set Scale = 100% and turn “Fit to page” OFF. Check the 50 mm calibration box on the first guide sheet with a ruler.

3. Cutting the fabric

1. Check the school's specification
   Most schools give exact dimensions. Enter those rather than measuring the hood.
2. Cut
   Cut one body and two chair bands.
3. Mark
   Transfer the fold notches at the sides and the two pairs of band notches above them.
4. Finish the edges
   Serge or zigzag the side allowances — quilted fabric frays quickly.

4. Sewing

4-1. Make the bands

1. Fold each band in quarters lengthwise and topstitch both long edges. Make two.

4-2. Bind the pocket opening

1. Bind the lower end of the body (it becomes the pocket opening when folded up) with bias tape.

4-3. Fold up and sew the sides

1. Fold the lower end up at the fold notches, right sides together.
2. Catch the ends of each band at the band notches on the left and right sides of the back (the part that is not folded up), with the bands lying inside.
3. Sew both sides from the fold up to the pocket opening, catching the bands.
4. Turn right side out: each band now runs across the back from side to side.

4-4. Finish the flap

1. Bind the flap sides and end in one go with bias tape.
2. Fold the flap over the front and add hook-and-loop if you like.
3. To fit it, slide the chair back under the bands.

✏️ The bands are worked out as the cover width plus twice the chair-back thickness plus a little ease, so they go right around the chair back. Catch them on the back, not the front, or the flap will not open once the cover is on the chair.

5. Tips & variations

• Quilted fabric: it is the standard for a reason — it holds its shape and survives daily handling.
• Name it clearly: every child in the class has one, and they all look similar.
• Measure both: the hood thickness and the chair-back thickness decide whether the cover goes on easily.