How to Make a Round Ottoman

This round ottoman is a wonderfully inexpensive addition to your home's decor. The base is a simple plastic flower planter that is sturdy enough for you to put your feet on or to use as extra seating. It is simple to make and because it is completely covered, nobody will guess its humble beginnings. Hunt through your garage for unused planters or visit your local garden center. Make this round ottoman in an afternoon and put your feet up by evening.

16-inch tall plastic flower planter Newspaper Scissors 1/3 yard muslin Straight pins Sewing machine Stuffing Hand sewing needle and thread Hot glue gun Measuring tape Yardstick Pen 1 1/2 yards fabric for underskirt 1 yard for top skirt 1/2 inch wide bias tape 1 1/2 yards decorative cording

Instructions

- 1
  Place the plastic flower planter bottom side down on the newspaper. Draw around the planter bottom. Remove the pot. Draw an additional circle 2 inches out from the first. Cut out the newspaper. This is the cushion pattern for the round ottoman.
- 2
  Place two layers of muslin together. Pin the cushion pattern to the muslin and cut out. Sew the two pieces together using a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Leave a 3-inch opening for turning and filling with stuffing. Trim the seam allowance to a 1/4-inch and turn right side out. Fill the cushion with stuffing and hand sew the opening closed. Apply hot glue to the bottom of the planter pot and center the cushion in the glue.
- 3
  Measure up one side of the pot, across the bottom and down the other side. Add a 1/2-inch to this measurement. This is the diameter for the underskirt. Fold the fabric in half and then in half again to form a quarter fold of the fabric. Place the beginning of the yardstick on the folded center and keep it there. Measure out from the yardstick half the measured diameter of the underskirt. Move the end only of the yardstick and repeat across the fabric from one side to the other. Connect the marks creating a curved line. Cut the fabric along the curve and unfold.
- 4
  Place the underskirt on your work surface wrong side up. Pin the edge of the bias tape right side down on the curved edge of the underskirt. Sew as close to the pinned edge as possible. Fold the bias tape to the front of the underskirt and pin. Top stitch the bias tape as close to the pinned edge as possible. Center and lay the underskirt over the top of the round ottoman.
- 5
  Subtract 8 inches from the diameter of the underskirt. Measure and cut the top skirt using the same technique as in Step 3.
- 6
  Repeat Step 4 for the top skirt and center place the top skirt over the underskirt on the round ottoman.
- 7
  Wrap the cording around the planter base, below the cushion. There is a slight opening in the planter pot between the pot and the pot tray, fit the cording into the opening and cinch the cording. Tie the cording into a bow and trim the ends. Adjust the skirts if needed.

How to Choose a Slipcover

How to Reupholster a Leather Foot Stool

Ottomans