Slip-Covered Ottoman

I'm not a skilled seamstress...I just play one on the Internet...

Do you remember those old  1980's commercials, with actors...selling things they really had no business selling... "I'm not a doctor...but I play one on TV..."  ...and then off they'd go... peddling medicine..

Well, truly, ...I'm no seamstress...

or tailor...

....or even remotely qualified to give sewing advice.

I am going to "share" my latest creation...which involved quite a lot of sewing...

My Jr. High home economics teacher would be so proud...

I don't even think they offer that class anymore... gone...just like good old typing class...

I was in the seventh grade when I made a shark pillow...all on my own, every stitch.

Our entire home economics class got to make a pillow, as our quarterly project.... and we got to pick the pattern...

I was so excited.. sometimes it's the little things --my 13 year-old-self loved getting to pick out the material at the fabric store....

I chose a raspberry colored cotton fabric and grey felt for the shark fins.... good times.

I couldn't believe this teacher was going to let me...and all the other 13 year-old kids operate the sewing machines... real machines...

Can you even imagine the waivers and legal agreements they might have us sign today...to use "dangerous equipment"??

It was like a power tool... it had the power to stab our little fingers... luckily we all survived...

My shark pillow was a huge success... (in the  Jr. High world)

...and now... having had no additional formal training....

I will be sewing a slip cover for an ottoman....

...with really great fabric.... that I got to pick out...

...all by myself....

...see, it's the little things...


Truthfully, although I haven't had any formal classes since Jr. High... my mom spent many an afternoon coaching my sewing endeavors... I would sew in spurts... making hair scrunchies in the late 80's....

I made curtains for my room at college in the 90's, but I used a hot glue gun....it was the original no-sew fad...before it was cool.

In the 2000's I made fabric cornices for our family room in our first house...and eventually I sewed pillows and curtains for our new baby's room... but like always...I sew in spurts... and I make it up as I go....

I have made more than one trip back to the fabric store to re-do a thing or two....

So, what you are about to see is "my way"... a true seamstress would likely gasp at my technique... but as luck would have it... I'm the closest thing to a seamstress in this house... so off we go...

HOW I DID IT:

I had already covered this thrift-store ottoman once before...it matches a slip covered sofa in the piano room... (a slip-covered sofa..a very skilled -actual seamstress did a few years ago...not me...I know the limits of my sewing "skills")

Do you ever have this need to change the furniture around...??  I do...and I like to move pieces all the time... and I really wanted to move the ottoman to the family room...but the navy checked fabric was too much for the family room decor...

I decided on fabric that could compliment both rooms.

And, since it's a slip cover, I can always switch back to the other... and I have been known to change my mind a time or two, or six...

I cut fabric to match the top and sides of the ottoman...and then I got super fancy...

I decided I wanted the bottom to be pleated...   ...so fancy....  ...or at least adding to the degree of difficulty...

I doubled the amount of fabric for the bottom since I would be pleating it.

I used the ottoman like a form, and pinned the fabric as I went along.

Cording... not 100% necessary, but I think it makes pieces look more professional... and since we know it's not professional... anything I can do to up my game... well, I do it.

So for the few extra minutes it takes to make the cording and add it... the end result looks a little more polished.

This is what I used for this project.  It comes in different sizes...just choose a size that compliments your project.

I basically pinned each section and sewed.

Above the top is done, now I was ready to add the pleated skirt.

I made the pleats every 4 inches, pinned them in place...   then I sewed... a wide stitch  across the top to keep them in place.

To finish the job I hemmed the skirt.

 MY BEST TIPS...as a non-expert sewer:

Always sew the 'right' sides of the fabric together... that's a great starting place....

A great pair of shears or fabric scissors will go a long way in making nice cuts...and makes every project easier.

Trim all the extra threads as you go...trim seams too...it makes the project look so much neater.

Iron.  Ironing your project makes a world of difference.

Use quality fabric...or at least the 'right' fabric for the job.  For this ottoman I used an upholstery fabric, so it's sturdy and durable... a poor choice would have been fabric that is stretchy, or slick and that would have slouched...

Allow for more time than you think you'll need.  I always think.. "Oh sure...I'll sew that in two hours..." and ...two days later...I'm just wrapping it up... I think working too quickly or rushing shows in the final product and can cause costly mistakes... (been there, done that).

When hemming, I like to use a little stitch-witchery... Before I sew my final hem, I hold it in place with the heat activated webbing... it makes quick work of hems.  If you are not sure about this product ask about 'stitch witchery' at your local fabric store.

Sharing this post with these parties:
The scoop via Stone Gable
Inspiration Monday via i Should Be Mopping The Floor