Slip-Covered Ottoman
My family & I just returned from a few fun days in Washington D.C., one of our favorite vacation cities. Of course one of the highlights was a visit to the National Museum of American History, where I came across the above quote in an exhibit showing a household in the 1800’s. I just had to share it with you all. Especially because it so pertains to a project I recently completed.
Remember the green chair I found at the thrift store? Well, I found this little ottoman there the same day. And once again, my girls begged me not to bring it home. (They really have no faith in me!)
It was the perfect size for the chair. And it was cheap. I knew right away it would be the perfect candidate for a slipcover. In zebra.Some of you very observant readers already noted that I have a zebra ottoman in my closet. And truth be told, I had tried to put that in my family room when I first got it, but it was too large & didn’t go with my previous chair. So, I put it to good use in my closet. And when I found this, I decided to try again. If you think one zebra ottoman is fun, try having two!So, here are the basics for slip-covering an ottoman. Measure the ottoman to determine the amount of fabric you will need. This one was approximately 22″x 17″x 10″ & I used approximately 1-1/4 yards. Once you have your fabric, cut pieces of fabric for the top & sides, adding an extra half-inch all around to allow for a seam. I chose to add a skirt to mine (which I will explain later), so I only covered half-way down on the sides.Next, with the wrong side of the fabric facing out, fit the pieces onto the ottoman, using pins to hold the pieces in place. When you are happy with the fit, sew the pieces together where you have pinned.
Then, turn the cover right-side-out & try it on the ottoman, making adjustments if necessary.
If you want only a straight cover, without a skirt, all you need to do from here is hem the bottom edge & you’re done.
If you do want a skirt, make the flaps by determining the length you need the skirt to be & doubling it, once again allowing an extra half-inch around for seam. For example, if you need a skirt flap that is to be 22″ wide by 4″ long, cut the fabric 23″ x 9″ long. Then, fold the skirt flap in half longways & sew the sides up. Then, turn right-side out & press. You will also need a corner flap to cover each corner where the skirt flaps will meet.
Once all the flaps are sewn, simply pin & sew to the bottom edge of your slipcover, adding a trim if you want. And that’s pretty much it! I also used a little black spray paint to paint the feet on mine. The whole project was just over $20. It makes just the statement I was hoping for with my new “old” chair. And it was just the touch of personality I needed for the family room. If you’re wondering why there are no curtains, you must be new here. Click here to read about that.
Alely L.
June 14, 2010 @ 12:27 pm
omg! what an amazing job you did with that ottoman slipcover! i have an ottoman i bought from goodwill a while back and i've been meaning to make a slipcover for it but haven't gotten around to it. thanks for the tutorial!
One Life Many Journeys
June 14, 2010 @ 12:31 pm
LOVERLY! I love me some Zebra fabric. Great job.
mle
June 14, 2010 @ 12:49 pm
Love the slipcover in zebra! Sooo wish I had seen your tutorial before I slipcovered my bench – I just made it up instead : )
Rose :: FineCraftGuild.com
June 14, 2010 @ 2:54 pm
love love love your slipcover.
inviting you to add a link back to your site to your tutorial from our site here:
http://www.finecraftguild.com/diy-linky-party-free-pillow-crochet-pattern/
so that more people can 'oh and ah' over your project and well, learn from you how to make their own!
happy caring & sharing craft,
rose
Nikki@KreativeKnack
June 14, 2010 @ 3:08 pm
Too cute! Great Statement!
Traveling Thrifter
June 14, 2010 @ 3:25 pm
Love the ottoman…I love animal print its wonderful !
Amanda
June 14, 2010 @ 3:58 pm
Loving the new look! It really stands out now! Wonderful job!!
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions
June 14, 2010 @ 4:30 pm
That turned out great! I don't usually go for zebra print personally, but I really love the way this looks.
The Autocrat: Haley
June 14, 2010 @ 4:31 pm
I can't get enough of the zebra print!! I really like it in your room!! You did a fabulous job on the slipcover!! It fits perfect!
Ann @ makethebestofthings
June 14, 2010 @ 4:33 pm
Love your zebra ottoman redo! Also love the zap it gives to the wonderful eclectic mix in your living room. Hmmm, I'm looking around wondering where zebra print could fit into my home….
Stephanie Lynn
June 14, 2010 @ 4:57 pm
What a fabulous find! Loks amazing! Hope you have a wonderful week! ~ Stephanie Lynn
FrouFrouBritches
June 14, 2010 @ 6:10 pm
I love it! Zebra is my absolute fave!! It turned out great. Thanks for sharing!
Sailing Simply
June 14, 2010 @ 6:38 pm
Very cute! You did a fantastic job! Love it!
Donna
June 14, 2010 @ 7:25 pm
Great statement with the zebra slip cover. You made it look so easy! Nice job thanks for sharing! Donna…the 3rd sister
Staci J
June 14, 2010 @ 7:45 pm
I love the zebra print!! It's the perfect accent for your room!
visiting from justsewsassy.com
kirstin & jordan
June 14, 2010 @ 8:28 pm
This is fabulous- love that fabric!
We have a linky party on fridays- we'd love it if you'd link to this! đŸ™‚
★All Thingz Related★
June 15, 2010 @ 12:46 am
You did an excellent job!
Thanks for sharing @ Anything Related No.11!
{Rebekah}
Cap Creations
June 15, 2010 @ 12:53 am
Wow! It looks wonderful!
Debbie
June 15, 2010 @ 2:20 am
Fantastic….wow you really took an old beat up ottomon and made it fresh and funky!
♥ Calamity Anne ♥
June 15, 2010 @ 2:33 am
Absolutely gorgeous…plus, you made it look so easy!!!
Michelle @ Sweet Something
June 15, 2010 @ 12:26 pm
I totally have faith in you…that turned out fantastic! Perfect amount of zebra! Great job!
C.R.A.F.T.
June 15, 2010 @ 1:46 pm
WOW! lovely đŸ™‚ thank you for linking up to MMM!
Ela@lifeinmypjs.com
June 16, 2010 @ 12:22 am
Would love it if you would join me for my 2nd linky party tonight!!
http://lifeinmypjs.blogspot.com/2010/06/pajama-party-2.html
~Ela
Clean Mama
June 16, 2010 @ 1:20 am
LOVE IT – so unexpected! Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment so I can see your great blog!
Kim
June 17, 2010 @ 1:20 pm
This is so cute, it is for sure the perfect bit of personality that spot needed – I'd love to see this – or another of your projects linked to Fabric Fun Thursday!
La Maison Reid
June 17, 2010 @ 6:50 pm
I have been collecting ottoman photos for about two weeks trying to decide how to do mine. You gave me a great idea where to put my piping! It looks fabulous in your living room!
Ela@lifeinmypjs.com
June 19, 2010 @ 3:14 am
Thanks for the great tutorial. Turned out fantastic!!
Thanks so much for linking up to Pajama Party at Life In My Pjs!!
~Ela
Paula
June 19, 2010 @ 10:59 am
Great project! You really did a great update on this piece.
Mel
June 20, 2010 @ 12:16 am
simply stunning and your instructions were terrific!
Stephanie@cre8tive
June 20, 2010 @ 2:25 am
It looks fab! Especially next to the green chair and the black coffee table. I hope the girls have more faith in you now! It looks professionally done that is for sure.
Tracy's Trinkets and Treasures
June 20, 2010 @ 12:23 pm
Great job. Just when I thought I was done loving animal print, you made me love it again. I need to learn how to make slipcovers. I love yours.
Jami
June 21, 2010 @ 3:16 am
Wow. You are very talented. It turned out great! I think I need to hang out here and learn some of these tricks. đŸ™‚
Becolorful
June 21, 2010 @ 5:29 pm
love what you have done with this ottoman. A touch of animal print just gives a room some sassiness. How fun. If I ever find the right ottoman I am going to give this a whirl.
Pam
Rose :: FineCraftGuild.com
June 24, 2010 @ 11:56 am
Thank you for contributing this to http://www.FineCraftGuild.com's DIY Tutorial Linky Party.
It's beautiful and well presented.
If you have a new & equally wonderful tutorial you wish to share with us this week, come on over. We just opened a new linky party for this week's greatest talented artisans out there! (and you are one of them ;-0)
Lori @ Projects Plenty
July 8, 2010 @ 10:00 pm
The ottoman turned out wonderful… and how good does it look with your chair?!! I really like your great room, by the way.
Yanet @ 3 Sun Kissed Boys
August 3, 2010 @ 1:08 pm
Wow, it looks amazing. Great find and a real ugly ducklin story.
Josalyn
August 3, 2010 @ 1:51 pm
I can't believe how inexpensive that was! Amazing!
Restorative Living
August 3, 2010 @ 1:58 pm
Beautiful! Ow-ow!
Scraps
August 3, 2010 @ 2:07 pm
Oh, how fun! And good tip about having the doubled length on the skirt, I'm not sure I would have thought of that but I'll bet it really makes a difference!
Kristina + Justin
August 3, 2010 @ 3:43 pm
I love this!
Joy @ Thrifty Parsonage Living
August 3, 2010 @ 5:21 pm
Wow! What a great transformation!
Ladydy5 aka: Diane Yates
August 3, 2010 @ 6:16 pm
You made it look so or sew easy and it looks great. What a find to redo.
Maggie
August 4, 2010 @ 1:35 am
Wow – that looks amazing!
I love what you did with it.
Suesan Kennard
August 4, 2010 @ 8:47 pm
Amazing. I love the zebra print, but I haven't been bold enough to use it yet. Thanks for sharing.
Kate Stockman
August 5, 2010 @ 5:31 am
Great job! What a transformation.