$2 Ottoman Makeover & How to Make a Slipcover

$2
3 Hours
Medium
Today I’m sharing a $2 Ottoman I found at a yard sale and gave it a much needed makeover. I love Union Jack and wanted to do something fun with this.
Here is what it looked like before……………………Are you ready?????
It was a very scary outdated brown corduroy tattered ottoman. I brought it home and literally gave it a bath outside and scrubbed and soaped it and then let it air dry before bringing it in.
I pulled out all my fabric stash in red, white and blue because I wanted to make it with what I had and not run to the store to buy more fabric. I had two Ralph Lauren sheets that I love the blue and white stripe and the white and red stripe and then I pulled the red and white stars fabric.
If you don’t already know, I LOVE sewing. I grew up sewing or at least from about 10 years on, so I think there are so many great ways to transform things with fabric and fix up your home on a budget.


Here’s how I made this in case you want to cover an ottoman of your own. I see them all time at Thrift Stores and yard sales and you can find them for a few dollars.
1. Cut the top fabric for your Ottoman. Since my fabric was a sheet or on the thinner side I added a layer of quilted fabric underneath too. I then began cutting my strips in the stars and stripes too.
2. Lay the strips on your fabric to get it where you want it.
Sometimes I use pictures or Pinterest for ideas and then just make up my pattern by eye. I love to use my phone when I need a quick peek at something.
My favorite secret weapon is Heat n Bond and you’ll see that I use it in many sewing projects. You can get a 4 pack at Walmart for under $5 and it’s great anytime you are going to applique as it holds things in place.


3. Place the strips down the under side of the center of the fabric and then press.
4. Sew your strips onto your top fabric one at a time. I love the raw edge look so that is what I wanted, but if you like a more finished look you can fold them under and press them too.
5. Cut your fabric for the band of the ottoman. My band area is 6″ tall so I cut my strip 7″ wide and then measured around the ottoman and added 1″ on each of the two pieces for seams.
6. Pin the band to the edges of your top piece. I snip the area right at each corner which makes it lay better and turn when you are sewing.


7. Pull it down onto your ottoman to make sure it is a great fit. Then measure the length and width you need for your skirt.
8. Cut your fabric for the gathered skirt. My ottoman was 84″ around so I cut my fabric 3 times the width because I wanted it really full and gathered.


9. Hem the edge of your ruffle. I recommend pressing it first and then pinning. Then sew.
9. Run a gather stitch at the top of your skirt, pull gathers and then pin to your band. Then Sew your skirt onto your ottoman band. Trim Edges.
Voila!! I love my new Union Jack "inspired" Slipcovered Ottoman. Oh and for $2 bucks!!
It looks pretty cute with our blue grey wing chairs or our red chair. There are a few more pics and details on the blog so please come on over and say hi. Slipcover Thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous day, Lisa
ConcordCottage.com with Lisa Walsh Huff Kroll
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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  • Linda T Linda T on Jun 12, 2014
    Thanks Jill! When I had no comments back on this one, I wondered at the constraint. I didn't particularly want to sound strident, though I think I did,or start another war, but I was thinking at the time that there would be such an uproar if 'patriots' here saw the American flag with so many parts left out!
  • Beth dotson Beth dotson on Jan 11, 2015
    I have a thrift store ottoman that really needs help.I was afraid to make a slipcover because I wasn't sure how to get the right measurements!I am now confident that I can do this because of your easy to read directions!! Thank you so much!!
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