Step-by-Step Box Pleat Corners for an Ottoman

An ottoman with box pleat corners makes a stylish addition to your living room. Adding the box pleats to a slipcover is easier than it looks, and it gives the ottoman a professional appearance. The project requires some sewing experience, but it is not time consuming to complete. The material for the pleated skirt of the ottoman should match that of the main slipcover; however, it is up to you whether the skirt reaches the floor, or if it ends a few inches above.

Measuring tape
Fabric
Pins
Sewing machine

Instructions

- 1
  Measure all four sides of the ottoman. Cut a piece of material of this width, plus 48 inches to allow for 12-inch box pleats at every corner. Cut the material to the length that you desire for the skirt.
- 2
  Pin the fabric to one side of the ottoman, attaching it to the slipcover. Leave 12 inches of free fabric at the corner and insert three pins: one to mark where the fabric meets the corner and another two spaced at 6 and 12 inches beyond, respectively.
- 3
  Remove the fabric from the ottoman and form the box pleat by tucking the material at the first and last pins underneath, to meet at the middle pin. Smooth out any creases in the fabric and pin the pleat in place. Pin the material back to the slipcover and repeat the pleats with the next two corners.
- 4
  Form the final box pleat by pinning the skirt to the slipcover and pin either side of the remaining corner. Flatten the ruffle loop that this creates to resemble the other three pleats and pin it into place.
- 5
  Remove the slipcover from the ottoman. Sew the skirt to the slipcover and sew the pleats as you have pinned them.

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