How to Cover an Oversized Ottoman

Wash, dry and iron the fabric you want to use for a slipcover. This shrinks the fabric so that it will continue to fit your ottoman after regular washings.

Drape the fabric over the top of the ottoman face side down with 1 inch overhanging each side. Fit fabric around the sides, pinning the fabric together with a 1/2-inch seam allowance at each point where you need a seam. A round ottoman will have one side seam. A square ottoman may have seams at each corner. Do not pin your hem. Allow 2 inches extra fabric along the bottom edge.

Remove the cover and sew along your pin lines. Clip excess fabric in your corner seam allowances to reduce bulk. Turn the cover right side out and fit it onto the ottoman. Correct any fit problems. Typically there is a horizontal line at the bottom of the top cushion. Mark this line with tailor's chalk on all sides of the cover. Remove the cover and insert pins at regular intervals along your chalk lines. Turn your cover inside out and use the pins to draw a chalk line around the inside of the fabric.

Sew double welting or trim along the outside of the fabric at the horizontal line. Turn the cover inside out and sew cord channel along the inside. Cord channel is a channel or tube of fabric with cording inside. Sew along the sides of the channel, not over the cord. Cut the channel but not the cord. Allow the ends of the cord to extend past the channel 4 to 6 inches at the start and finish.

Turn the cover right side out. Place the cover over the ottoman. Lift the skirt to expose the cord channel. Pull on the two cords and tighten. Make a bow tie. Pull the skirt down and pin the hem on all sides. Untie the cords and remove the cover. Sew the hem using a hem stitch. Put the cover back on and tie the cords firmly, tucking the ends under the cushion foam.