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Matelasse Slipcovered Ottoman

By Anita 20 Comments

Matelasse Slipcovered Ottoman

Today I’m sharing my matelasse slipcovered ottoman with directions on how I made it.

Slipcovered ottoman in white

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.

Slipcovered ottoman in white before

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.

Slipcovered ottoman in white pencil

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.

Slipcovered ottoman in white how to measure

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.

Slipcovered ottoman in white measuring

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.

Slipcovered ottoman in white pattern

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.

Slipcovered ottoman ruffle placement

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.

Slipcovered ottoman double ruffle

I sewed the top one on about 3 inches above the lower one. I know I’m quite the artist (hee hee).

Slipcovered ottoman ruffle placement

To top it off, I used a vase that Evie gave me. It says ‘Home is where your mom is’. Slipcovered ottoman with tray

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.

Slipcovered ottoman in white with settee

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.

Slipcovered ottoman fabric

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

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Filed Under: bedroom, Project, sewing project, slipcovers

Comments

  1. Sherry Stuifbergen says

    September 8, 2017 at 06:14

    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.

    Reply
  2. Lisa says

    September 8, 2017 at 06:41

    Oh my lanta! This slipcover is on the verge of being too sexy! It is absolutely gorgeous!

    Reply
  3. Jan says

    September 8, 2017 at 07:52

    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!

    Reply
  4. Brenda Wilson says

    September 8, 2017 at 08:55

    This is so cute, I love it!

    Reply
  5. Norma Rolader says

    September 8, 2017 at 10:03

    Beautiful slipcover and love the way you have this room designed God bless and thank you Please remember all those in these disaster areas

    Reply
  6. Ginger Valdes says

    September 8, 2017 at 10:19

    Oh, it’s darling! Did you just make it? After the latest purple pillows?
    Ginger

    Reply
    • Anita says

      September 8, 2017 at 10:59

      Yes! Just made them. Hugs to you dear friend.

      Reply
    • Anita says

      September 8, 2017 at 10:59

      Yes! Just made them. Hugs to you dear friend.

      Reply
    • Anita says

      September 8, 2017 at 10:59

      Yes! Just made them. Hugs to you dear friend.

      Reply
  7. Dee says

    September 8, 2017 at 13:14

    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!

    Reply
    • Hope says

      September 8, 2017 at 17:42

      Try it first with an old sheet or curtain panel. It gives me the confidence and gives me the opportunity to adapt my method.

      Reply
      • Anita says

        September 8, 2017 at 18:03

        Great idea Hope!

        Reply
    • Anita says

      September 8, 2017 at 18:04

      I think you should Dee! I would love to see how it turns out. I’m sure it will be adorable.

      Reply
  8. Pamela says

    September 8, 2017 at 23:19

    Great job on the ottoman, thanks for the tips looks really easy to do.

    Reply
  9. Donna R says

    September 10, 2017 at 17:31

    This ottoman is adorable! Best project yet!!!!

    Reply
  10. Victoria @DazzleWhileFrazzled says

    September 10, 2017 at 21:00

    Absolutely love that ottoman. Anything with a ruffle makes me happy! Visiting from Makers Party.

    Reply
  11. Ellen says

    September 12, 2017 at 10:30

    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.

    Reply
  12. Jann says

    December 22, 2017 at 07:03

    Just gorgeous! May I ask where you purchased the cushions? I just love them!

    Thank you.

    Jann

    Reply
  13. Cecilia from Georgia says

    January 23, 2019 at 08:44

    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!

    Reply
  14. Sandra says

    March 19, 2021 at 23:51

    Can I buy a cover for my ottoman can you tell me where

    Reply

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