If your favorite footstool is looking a bit ragged or just doesn't match your new rug, learning how to sew ottoman cover is a total game-changer for your living room decor. It's one of those projects that looks incredibly professional when finished, but the actual process is pretty straightforward once you break it down. You don't need to be a master tailor to pull this off; you just need some decent fabric, a sewing machine, and a little bit of patience.
I've seen plenty of people throw away perfectly good furniture just because the upholstery got stained or went out of style. That's such a waste! Instead of browsing furniture sites for hours, you can just head to the fabric store. Plus, making your own cover means you can choose a heavy-duty canvas, a soft velvet, or even a funky pattern that you'd never find in a big-box store.
Getting your materials together
Before you dive in, you need to gather your gear. You don't want to be halfway through a seam and realize you've run out of thread or that your scissors are too dull to cut through upholstery fabric.
First off, let's talk fabric. Since an ottoman usually doubles as a footrest or a coffee table, you want something durable. Look for "home decor" weight fabrics. If you pick something too thin, like a basic quilting cotton, it's going to wear out or rip within a few months. Denim, canvas, or heavy linen are all great choices.
You'll also need: * A sewing machine (obviously) * High-quality polyester thread (it's stronger than cotton) * Fabric scissors or a rotary cutter * A measuring tape * Plenty of straight pins or sewing clips * Tailor's chalk or a fabric marker * Elastic (if you're going for a slipcover style)
One quick tip: always wash and dry your fabric before you start cutting. There's nothing worse than sewing a perfect cover, washing it once, and having it shrink so much it won't fit back on the ottoman.
Measuring for a perfect fit
This is the part where most people get nervous, but it's just basic math. When you're figuring out how to sew ottoman cover dimensions, you need to think of the ottoman as a collection of shapes. Most are either cubes, rectangles, or cylinders.
Start by measuring the top. If it's a square, measure the length and width. If it's a circle, measure the diameter. Write these numbers down. Now, measure the height of the ottoman from the top edge down to wherever you want the cover to end.
Now, here's the secret sauce: the seam allowance. You need to add extra space for the bits of fabric that will be hidden inside the seams. Usually, adding an extra inch to every measurement is a safe bet (half an inch for each side). So, if your ottoman top is 20x20 inches, you'll actually cut a piece of fabric that is 21x21 inches.
For the "skirt" or the side panel, you'll need one long strip. The length of this strip should be the total perimeter of your ottoman plus an inch for the seam where the ends meet. The height should be the height of the ottoman plus about two inches (one for the top seam and one for the bottom hem).
Cutting your fabric pieces
Once you have your measurements, lay your fabric out flat on a large table or the floor. Use your chalk to draw the shapes directly onto the back of the fabric. I like to use a long ruler to make sure my lines are perfectly straight, especially for the side panels.
If you're working with a pattern—like stripes or large florals—pay attention to how the pattern sits. You don't want the stripes going horizontally on the top and vertically on the sides unless that's a specific "look" you're going for. It takes a bit more fabric to "fussy cut" things so they line up, but it makes the final product look way more expensive.
Take your time with the scissors. It's better to cut a little bit too large than too small. You can always trim excess fabric away later, but you can't exactly grow it back if you over-cut.
The actual sewing process
Now we're getting to the fun part. If you're nervous about how to sew ottoman cover corners, just take it slow.
Start by sewing the ends of your side panel together to create a big loop. Put the "right sides" (the pretty sides) of the fabric together and sew a straight line. Now you have a fabric circle or rectangle that should slide right over your ottoman.
Next, you need to attach the top piece to this side loop. This is where pins are your best friend. With the side panel still inside out, pin the top piece (also face down) to the top edge of the side panel.
If your ottoman is square, the corners can be a bit fiddly. When you reach a corner with your sewing machine, leave the needle down in the fabric, lift the presser foot, turn the fabric 90 degrees, drop the foot, and keep going. This gives you a nice, crisp corner. If it's a round ottoman, just take it slow and adjust the fabric every few inches so you don't get bunches or puckers.
Dealing with the bottom hem
Once the top and sides are connected, you basically have a fabric hat for your furniture. Try it on! Slide it over the ottoman to see how it fits. If it's too loose, you can go back and sew a slightly deeper seam on the side panel.
Now, you have to decide how to finish the bottom. You have two main options here: a simple hem or an elastic casing.
A simple hem is great if you want a tailored look. You just fold the bottom edge up, press it with an iron, fold it again to hide the raw edge, and sew all the way around. This works best if your measurements were very precise.
However, if you want the cover to stay put and handle a bit of movement, I highly recommend an elastic hem. To do this, sew a "tunnel" (a casing) around the bottom edge, but leave a small two-inch gap open. Thread a piece of elastic through the tunnel using a safety pin, pull it tight until the cover hugs the bottom of the ottoman, sew the elastic ends together, and then close the gap in the fabric.
Final touches and troubleshooting
Once everything is sewn, give the whole thing a good press with an iron. It sounds like an extra chore, but ironing your seams makes the difference between a "homemade" project and a "handmade" masterpiece. It flattens the stitches and helps the fabric lay correctly over the edges of the ottoman.
If you find that the top looks a bit "puffy" or doesn't sit flat, you can do something called topstitching. This is just a visible line of sewing on the outside, very close to the seam. It holds the seam allowance down inside and gives the edge a more defined, professional look.
And there you have it! You've successfully learned how to sew ottoman cover basics. It might take you an afternoon, but every time you put your feet up, you'll feel that little jolt of pride knowing you made it yourself. Plus, whenever you get bored of the color, you can just whip up a new one. It's much cheaper than buying new furniture, and it's a great way to use up your fabric stash. Happy sewing!