How to Reupholster a Round Footstool

Place fabric face down on the work table. Position the footstool upside down on the fabric. Cut around the top of the footstool, using the top edge as a guide, and add a 1/2-inch seam allowance.

Measure around the perimeter of the round footstool and add 1/2 inch for seam allowances. Start at the vertical fabric seam and end at your starting point.

Measure the height of your footstool from the top edge to the bottom edge of the side and add 3 inches. Some footstools have fabric halfway down the side; others have fabric to the floor. Start at the guidepoint you used to cut the round top fabric if the top of your footstool has a rounded top edge. For ottoman-style footstools, the top and sides are often separated by a 90-degree corner; if you have this type, start your measurement at the corner. Cut out the side fabric.

Sew the side fabric face sides together along the seam to create a circular shape. Pin the top of the fabric to the seat fabric top with a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Sew along the pinned line.

Turn your fabric right side out and fit it over the footstool. Center your seam to the back. Cut the fabric from the bottom raw edge to 1/4 inch from the top of the footstool leg. The cut should center on the leg. Repeat for each leg.

Turn the footstool upside down. Stretch the front fabric over the side and across the bottom, and staple near the center. Stretch the back fabric over the same way, and staple near the center. Repeat with each side. Fit the fabric evenly around each leg. Pull and staple the front, back, side and side with staples every inch or so. Smooth the fabric as you work. Add extra staples around each leg. Trim off any excess fabric.

Measure fabric for a skirt from the bottom edge of the fabric to the length you want. Add 2 inches for seams and hems. Measure the distance around the footstool plus 1 inch for seams, and add any extra if you wish to include pleats or gathers. Sew the ends together to form a circle shape. Sew your hem.

Match your seams at the back of the footstool. Fold the top edge of the skirt fabric under 1 inch, and tack the skirt fabric using nail-headed tacks and a hammer. Drive the tack into the side edge of the wood that supports the bottom of the footstool (under the fabric). Fit your fabric at your corners (if you are making pleats or gathers). Nail your nail heads all the way around the footstool.