Refresh your old favorite with this DIY ottoman slipcover tutorial.
Have you ever heard of the term “house blind”? This is when you become so used to your home that you unconsciously overlook the clutter or the time-worn flaws of aging.
Maybe you have experienced this phenomenon? It happens to the best of us!
You’ve been out of town for a while and step foot in your house, immediately you notice all the worst offenders.
For me, recently it was our old, scuffed-up footstool. If you can relate, I’ve got this quick and easy solution for you!
If you just want a new print, a fresh pattern, or a punch of color, but you’re not quite ready to buy new furniture; a slipcover may be a great alternative. It’s an easy and inexpensive update for a room.
Ottoman Slipcover Styles
For starters, here is some style inspiration to get you going. There is something for everyone, from beginner to more advanced.
To keep the project simple, use fewer pattern pieces, and skip the embellishments. If you are more comfortable around a sewing machine, consider breaking up your design to accent the cushion or the skirt area.
You can also add interest with the addition of welting, an appliqué, pleats, or decorative trims.
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Here are the sewing supplies that you need to create your own ottoman slipcover.
Slipcover Materials
Fabric
Thread
Sewing Scissors HERE affiliate link
Paper Scissors HERE affiliate link
Sewing Machine
Tape Measure
Pencil
Straight Edge or Ruler optional
Pattern Paper optional HERE affiliate link
Cording optional
Cutting Board optional HERE
(affiliate links in green above)
How much Fabric to Buy
Next, you will need to measure your ottoman or footstool to determine how much fabric to buy. Write down your measurements.
Measure the top surface, width, and length. Then measure the side panels, width, and height. Decide now what you want the finished length for the slipcover to be.
Maybe, you want the legs to show, or possibly you want the slipcover to go down to the floor. Whatever you choose, this will be your finished length for the side panels.
Now it’s time to add seam and hem allowances. Seam allowance is the area between the stitching line and the raw edge of the fabric.
It is usually not seen, because it is inside the slipcover or garment. A typical seam allowance is between ¹⁄₄ to a ⁵⁄₈ inch, but it is a personal choice.
Whatever length you choose, add it consistently to all fabric edges and measurements. Also, add additional length to your side panels for your slipcover’s hem.
One to two inches is a good hem length. This gives the hem some weight so it hangs nicely.
Sketch out the pattern roughly on a sheet of paper to visualize.
If your ottoman is rectangular, you will have 3 unique pattern pieces, but you will need to cut 5 total pieces.
If your ottoman is square or a circle, then you will only have 2 uniques pattern pieces.
If you are adding piping, you will have one additional pattern piece. Bias piping directions here
Finding Fabrics
The most common widths of fabric available for purchase are 45, 54, and 60 inches.
If you do not know your fabric width yet, take the drawing of your pattern or the pattern pieces to the fabric store and confirm amounts with the employee at the cutting table, before you order.
They are almost always knowledgeable and happy to help with your questions.
If you are ordering your fabric online, call the company’s helpline or you could still go into a local fabric store with questions first.
My fabric is 54 inches wide. To determine the amount of fabric I needed, I drew my pattern pieces to fit into that fabric width.
My Pattern Pieces
Top of Ottoman Pattern Piece 1 (cut one of these)
Long Side of Ottoman Pattern Piece 2 (cut two of these)
Narrow Side of Ottoman Pattern Piece 3 (cut two of these)
Piping for Ottoman Pattern Piece 4 (cut multiples, as needed)
Note: I tried to keep the fabric print matching up from side to side. One of the sides is not perfect, because I also tried to not to waste too much fabric.😉
Make your Ottoman Sewing Pattern
I like to make a paper pattern if I think I will make another version of my project in the future. If you end up loving the finished product, you’ll be so happy you did.
Now is a perfect time if you want to make a paper pattern but it is not mandatory.
The type of paper is not critical. I ordered a pattern paper on Amazon that is working great. HERE (affiliate link)
You can also use any paper you already have. You can tape sheets together if you need larger pieces. Find other paper options at your local art store, hardware, or Home Depot.
Use your measurements to draw out the pieces with a pencil and a straight edge. Cut out the pattern.
Cutting your Fabric
After you get your fabric, wash it, machine or hang dry, and press. This will prevent shrinking later when you wash the slipcover.
On a durable surface or sewing cutting board, lay the pattern pieces on top of your fabric. If you are not making a paper pattern, you can draw the pieces out with a washable safe marker.
As you lay out the pattern, think about the fabric grain and pattern direction.
You may have a strong preference which way you want your pattern, stripes, or flowers to go, for example.
Also, keep in mind how the fabric design will flow from one pattern piece to the next. Go slow, think through each step. This is when mistakes can happen.😉
Did you cut out your fabric pieces? Great, you are ready to sew!
Ottoman or Slipcover Instructions
1 If you are using bias welting trim, make that first. Piping Directions. If not, jump to step 3.
2 Pin the finished piping around the perimeter of the top piece.
3 Sew the piping around the perimeter of the top piece.
4 Pin, then sew the 4 side fabric pieces to the top. Turn and press seams down.
5 Pin, then sew all 4 side vertical seams. Turn and press seams.
6 To hem, turn the fabric under ½ inch along the bottom edge. Press. Turn under again another 1-2 inches. Press.
This leaves a nice weighted hem. Using your sewing machine, topstitch at the top of the hem. This secures your unfinished edge.
Ottoman Examples
Before …
After …
And here it is in place! What do you think?
Let me know if you try this project! Share a picture on Instagram and tag me. #bebraveandbloominspired
Happy Spring sewing everyone!
xo,
Cindy
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Poofy not pouch.
I am also interested in making a round slip cover but I need to to be skirted because mine has a big pouch round piece on top of an upholstered square piece.
Awesome! Okay it’s definitely on my list as I also have a round ottoman that I can tackle! Thanks so much Rachel.☺️
I am having the hardest time finding a pattern to recover a round ottoman.
Oooh! I’d love to do one but I bet you need it asap? I’ll put it on my “to do” list I actually have a round ottoman that I’d love to cover. Meanwhile, I would recommend just creating 2 pieces. The top circle and one long “band” piece that wraps all the way around the ottoman. First, with the right sides together, sew the band ends closed. Press seam open. Next, sew the top of the band to the perimeter edge of the circle top piece. Press seam open. Hem. Wa-La you are done. I hope that was somewhat helpful? (P.S. If you subscribe to my newsletter it will alert you with new posts when I actually do the tutorial.)