MommyHoot

Check out my new ottoman slipcover! This is my latest project that I actually had some fun making. Because it’s just a bunch of straight lines it is super easy to do. I have a horrible sewing machine and I was able to do it, so anyone with a basic sewing machine that can do straight lines will be able to make their own!

I had looked at some ottoman slipcovers that others have made online, and what I saw looked a little more complicated then I wanted to do. I shall stress that I do not like math. That includes measuring. This required very little measuring, although I bet if I did more measuring or better math that some of the edges would of came out better.

Here are my very basic directions.
*First take your fabric and lay it over the top of the ottoman. What I love about the print I bought is that the lines help to ensure that you are cutting on a straight line, which makes the cutting of the fabric just a bit easier to do. Once you have the fabric just where you want it, pin down the corners. What you do is make a little triangle of extra fabric that you will sew on the back side of the fabric. I pinned the outside first then inverted the triangle and pinned again inside out. That way I had the basic shape and could cut the fabric, then when I had less to work with I turned it inside out and made neater pins for me to go and sew.

* Once you sew the corners, using just a straight line, I recommend going back and making sure it fits before cutting the extra fabric. Once it fits pretty well, maybe not too snug since it will get a bit more snug when you sew on the bottom pieces (not sure how that happened, but it almost hugs the top and fits more snugly, probably due to the extra fabric gathered there) go ahead and cut away extra fabric. I double sewed my stitches just in case since I know I’ll be washing this piece a lot.

* Put the top on and then measure what you’ll want the bottom pieces to be. I added an inch per side for sewing to that since you’ll want to double roll the seam. By double rolling it, you’ll have heavier edges that will lay better and you wont have to worry about any fraying. The fabric that I used recommends that you double stitch or roll to prevent fraying too. Thus you get crispy looking edges in your final product, and if someone just so happens to see the underside then it will more polished too. It’s just one more fold so it’s not that big of deal.

*Now put your creativity hat on. Look at the top piece and the leftover fabric you have. With the chevron print that I have I thought it would look funky if the pattern switched on the bottom pieces. I just so happened to have enough fabric to be able to cut out the fabric based on how I wanted the print to lay. Always think before you cut!

*You should have 4 big rectangles. Fold and sew and fold and sew each edge except for the top part.

* Attach the pieces and pin into place. I had plenty of extra fabric on the top (maybe like 2 inches). So I just had to eye it in regards to how far from the floor I wanted them to lay. I pinned first looking at the piece from how I want it to look and then reversed it and re-pinned and took out the first pins. I think that was the easiest way to do it.

* Now, I’m sure there a lot of people out there that are way more savvy when it comes to sewing. Those people probably want their pieces to come out perfect. I am not one of those people. So long as the end product looks acceptable I don’t really care how I get there. So there are no fancy measurements on making sure things are even. Maybe it’s luck and the chevron print that keeps me in line but I just eye’d everything when it came to sewing the bottom pieces on.

*Once you have the bottom pieces on, put it all back onto the ottoman. Here’s your chance to make some adjustments! I had one side that drooped a bit so I re-pinned that area and went back to the sewing machine. Half and inch later it looks much better and hugged the top part a lot better.

* If you’re happy and you know it, then clap your hands! You are almost done! Last part to finish is that little strip of fabric in-between the bottom pieces that you can see the old ugly ottoman from. You don’t need much fabric at all for this. I over estimated how much fabric I needed for two parts and then looked at my fabric to cut out the other two and realized if I used just a little less then I would have enough to make 2 throw pillows from! So I used less on two corners and you can’t tell at all. Measure to what you think would be right and then then add 2 inches again since you have to sew the edges just like you did with the other bottom pieces.

* Pin those pieces to where you want them. The reverse the slipcover. When you take this to your sewing machine try to follow the stitches you already have so it looks nicely lined up. I went toward the extra fabric just in case so I wouldn’t bother what you would see on the outside.

*That’s it!

Side note:
-I didn’t cut out all the extra fabric. Maybe because I have twins and 3 animals in the house I just assume that I will be washing this and just in case I need to re-sew anything I’d rather have a little extra if need be then have to redo another one. No one will see of notice, so it’s not a big deal.

I really like the slipcover. It’s hip. It’s probably my favorite thing that’s in my twins playroom/ living room right now. It reminds me I have some style and it’s not all toddler toys and board books in my home. Although most days it sure feels like it.

Oh and because this is totally washable I’m not so worried about the babies touching it. Plus that fabric cost me less than 40 bucks for 3 yards from the most amazing seller on Etsy: Modern Cloth . I can’t say enough great things about the fabric selections that she has and how very quickly my fabric came to me! I love the fabric quality and print. Her prices are really awesome too. Way way way better than going to Joanne’s fabrics and dealing with people who hardly know the proper way to cut fabric (a straight line ladies, really? it’s not so difficult!).

I hope you try making your own and I would love to see what you’ve created if you’ve stopped by to see this!
Thanks!