How to Deep Tuft an Ottoman

Harvest fabric from the hem of the ottoman, the underside or in the deep joints of a companion chair or sofa. You will need a 1 1/2-inch square for each button. If you cannot locate the amount you need, select a companion fabric for your button covers.

Cut fabric twice the size of the covered button diameter. Place the fabric face-side down. Position the button top upside-down over the fabric.

Press the fabric over the sides of the button to catch in the teeth on the underside of the button edge. Insert the bottom of the covered button, and press the two pieces together until they snap into place.

Remove the fabric cover fitting over the top of the ottoman using a hammer, flat screwdriver and pliers. Typically, the cover is attached to the underside base with staples. Try not to damage the cover in any way.

Turn the ottoman upside-down so the plywood underside is visible. Mark the location of your button holes. Tuft button patterns are arranged like the symbols on a playing card, domino or dice. Space each button 4 to 6 inches apart in the pattern that fits your ottoman. Mark your pattern on the wood.

Drill holes through the plywood at each mark. The hole should be 1/8 inch or larger. Insert a long, straight upholstery needle at 90 degrees from the plywood, and check that it is straight. Mark the top of the foam where the needle emerges. Repeat for all the holes.

Carve a cone shape using your foam mark as the center point. Carve with an electric carving knife. The cone should be 2 to 3 inches wide at the top of the foam and narrow to a point at the hole in the plywood. Repeat for each mark. Round off the edges at the top of the cone cut to make them softer.

Replace the original cover. Attach the cover with staples similar to how it was attached originally. Thread an upholstery needle with heavy-duty thread. Tie the ends of the thread to a large, flat-style 4-hole button.

Press the needle through the plywood and up through the cone and through the fabric. Keep the needle straight. Pull the flat button snug. Thread the needle through the stem back on your covered button. Take the needle back through the fabric, cone, plywood and through one hole on the underside of the button.

Pull the thread snug. Stitch the needle back and forth between the buttons, pulling firmly three to four times, and then tie the thread off at a button. Repeat for each button.

Adjust the fabric between the buttons to crease or fold in a straight line as you install the tufting buttons. Because you removed foam, there will be a change in how the fabric pulls down around the buttons.