Matelasse Slipcovered Ottoman
Today I’m sharing my matelasse slipcovered ottoman with directions on how I made it.
This was a simple and quick project. The instructions are to make a slipcover for a round ottoman.
I started with the cute furry ottoman.
First I measured my ottoman across the top, the height and circumference. I cut a circle of fabric for the top the size of the ottoman. To do that measure the diameter of the top. Then tie a string that is longer to a pencil. Cut the string so that it is equal to the radius of the top. (The radius is half the diameter.) Ask a friend to hold the string down for you on the end, while you draw a circle with the pencil. I wish Evie had been here to help me so I could have gotten a better picture for you. She is on the worship band at her college and had to be there for an event today. Soooo…. here’s my feeble attempt to illustrate what I am saying.
I didn’t think that was clear so I’ve added an illustration. You hold down the string in the center while drawing with the pencil.
You might ask, “What about the seam allowance?” I use a 1/2 inch seam allowance, and for this project, you don’t need to add a seam allowance. The seam allowance is the amount you add to account for fabric lost when you add a seam. So when you sew the top onto the base, the top will actually be an inch in diameter smaller.
Next you need to cut a piece of fabric that will wrap around your ottoman.
You need to measure a piece of fabric with
width =circumference of your stool (outside measurement) + 1 inch seam allowance
length = height of stool
Mark your fabric with pencil and cut it.
Sew the two short ends of the rectangular piece together with right sides together forming a long tube.
Then pin your circle piece to the tube with right sides together. Now all you need is the ruffle.
I used an vintage cotton matelasse fabric from my good friend Martha.
Next use that circumference number. To get enough fabric for a double ruffle you’ll need a piece of fabric 5 1/2 inches tall by 4x your circumference.
I used a white linen for the ruffle. Normally I suggest you wash the fabric first before sewing, but I like to use unwashed linen when I am making ruffles. After washing, they look amazing.
I cut the fabric for the ruffle, pressed and hemmed the bottom of the fabric. Then I used a ruffler to make it into a ruffle. It is gathered about 2x. That means that if the circumference is 50 inches, I used 100 inches width of fabric to make each ruffle.
I sewed the top one on about 3 inches above the lower one. I know I’m quite the artist (hee hee).
To top it off, I used a vase that Evie gave me. It says ‘Home is where your mom is’. 
I’m thinking it might need one more ruffle, but I ran out of fabric for my slipcovered ottoman. This is some I had sitting around from making a linen bed skirt a few years ago.
So if you have a round ottoman that you want to cover, I hope this helps. It makes it more versatile if you have a slipcovered ottoman. For more slipcovering tips, CLICK HERE.
If you are looking for similar fabric I found this gorgeous fabric from my sponsor Calico Corners. This is not a sponsored post, however. For my ottoman, I used less than a yard of the matelasse.
Onto the podcast episode for today. What do you do if you don’t agree with your husband about decor? What if he wants man decor and you want something more feminine? The rule at our house is no floral fabrics. After I got rid of the floral fabrics I don’t think he noticed all the ruffles. Shhh… let’s not tell him.
EPISODE 96 DECORATING THAT WON’T DRIVE YOUR HUSBAND CRAZY
Covering this ottoman makes it very versatile for seasonal decorating. I like the “fur” for winter. It also has texture. You were very clear in your directions. I love it that I learned to sew but as a budding teen in 4-H, I hated every minute of it. Thank goodness I kept at it. It has saved me alot of money.
Oh my lanta! This slipcover is on the verge of being too sexy! It is absolutely gorgeous!
I absolutely love matelasse ( but I had to look back to see how to spell it 😉 I have an old bedspread that I now want tocut up and use for an ottoman cover and maybe shams for the bed!! Yay, thanks for the inspiration!
This is so cute, I love it!
Beautiful slipcover and love the way you have this room designed God bless and thank you Please remember all those in these disaster areas
Oh, it’s darling! Did you just make it? After the latest purple pillows?
Ginger
Yes! Just made them. Hugs to you dear friend.
Yes! Just made them. Hugs to you dear friend.
Yes! Just made them. Hugs to you dear friend.
Oh my goodness! Anita, That is the cutest slipcovered ottoman I’ve ever seen! It’s just so absolutely darling I love what you did with it! I have a large square ottoman that is really large top height wise it’s the size of probably two! I’ve been thinking of either getting rid of it or slip covering it. My skills are nowhere like yours, but I’d sure like to give it a go!
Try it first with an old sheet or curtain panel. It gives me the confidence and gives me the opportunity to adapt my method.
Great idea Hope!
I think you should Dee! I would love to see how it turns out. I’m sure it will be adorable.
Great job on the ottoman, thanks for the tips looks really easy to do.
This ottoman is adorable! Best project yet!!!!
Absolutely love that ottoman. Anything with a ruffle makes me happy! Visiting from Makers Party.
Love the idea…I bought a round ottoman like that at a thrift store for $2.99. Now I know how to cover it. Thanks for cleaver ideas.
Just gorgeous! May I ask where you purchased the cushions? I just love them!
Thank you.
Jann
I am so delighted that you posted this again! I bought a large ottoman from the ReStore for $25 and it has a nice Schumacher fabric on it so I don’t want to recover it; making a slipcover will be perfect. I love the feminine ruffles and using an old spread is genius! I have learned so much from your blog and wish I had the time to make all the pieces that you share. Right now I’m waiting for my P&O Classico paints to arrive so I can tackle the French chairs! You are such a charm!
Can I buy a cover for my ottoman can you tell me where