How to make a disaster hood cover

1. Materials & tools

Materials (standard size)

• Main fabric (quilted cotton or canvas) — about 110 cm wide × 90 cm (44 × 35 in)
• Flat elastic (2.5 cm / 1 in wide) — about 70 cm (28 in)
• Optional: hook-and-loop for the opening

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 chair band length. Presets cover standard and large.
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. Trace the pattern
   Trace the body and the chair bands.
3. Cut
   Cut one body and two bands.
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. Finish the opening

1. Turn the opening edge under twice and stitch.
2. Add hook-and-loop here if you want it to close.

4-3. Sew the body

1. Fold the body right sides together and sew both sides.
2. Pinch the base corners into triangles and sew across to give the depth for the hood.

4-4. Attach the bands

1. Stitch a band to each side of the back, positioned to go around the chair back.
2. Sew them with a stitched rectangle and a cross — these take the weight of the whole thing every day.

✏️ Follow the school's dimensions exactly rather than measuring the hood. Schools specify a size so the covers all fit the chairs, and a cover that is a centimeter out will be sent home.

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.
• Elastic instead of ties: elastic bands go over the chair back faster than ties, which matters to a six-year-old.