This post is Part 2 of our comprehensive guide on How To Make a No-Sew Ottoman. If you’re just joining us and haven’t built the foundation yet, you can find the essential first steps in Part 1 here:
How To Make a No-Sew Ottoman Part 1: Building the Base.
Transforming Your DIY Ottoman: The No-Sew Upholstery Guide
Once you’ve successfully constructed the sturdy base for your ottoman, the truly exciting part begins: adding the decorative elements that infuse it with style, color, and personality. This is where your DIY no-sew ottoman truly comes to life! Our design inspiration for this project stemmed from a particular aesthetic, featuring elegantly spaced pleats and sophisticated nail-head trim. While a sewing machine would typically be used for elements like covered cording, our innovative no-sew approach utilizes clever stapling techniques and reliable fabric adhesive to achieve a beautifully finished look without a single stitch. Get ready to transform a simple base into a chic, functional piece of furniture that enhances any room.
One of the core principles of our DIY decorating philosophy is finding budget-friendly solutions without compromising on style. Instead of spending a fortune on new fabric, I embarked on a creative treasure hunt in my friend Karen’s attic. Every DIY enthusiast needs a resource like Karen – her generosity and extensive collection are truly invaluable! Karen operates a professional workroom from her home, creating bespoke home decorator treatments for countless clients over the years. Her substantial stockpile of fabrics presented a wonderful opportunity. I discovered a fabric where I preferred the subtle texture and character of its reverse side over its printed front. This isn’t the first time I’ve opted for the ‘understated elegance’ of a fabric’s reverse, and the result is often surprisingly sophisticated. This particular fabric boasts a charming burlap-like weave, yet it remains wonderfully soft and smooth to the touch. While the original print is faintly visible in certain lighting conditions, I am absolutely delighted with the overall effect, and I knew instantly it was the perfect choice for this project.
DIY Ottoman: The Stunning After Transformation
How to Cover a DIY No-Sew Ottoman: Step-by-Step Upholstery
Before diving into the upholstery process, gather all your materials. Having everything at hand will make the project smoother and more efficient. Remember, careful preparation is key to a successful DIY outcome, especially when working with fabrics and adhesives.
Essential Supplies Needed for Your No-Sew Ottoman:
- Fabric: For a seamless, continuous skirt, you’ll need approximately 5 yards of fabric. If you’re comfortable with piecing and matching patterns, 3 yards might suffice. We used 55-inch wide fabric; keep in mind you only need a 36-inch square for the tufted top, leaving plenty for the skirt. Choose a durable upholstery fabric that complements your decor.
- Foam: A 24-inch square of 3-inch thick foam will provide the plush comfort for your ottoman top. Ensure it’s high-density foam for longevity.
- Batting: 1 yard of upholstery batting adds an extra layer of softness and helps smooth out the foam’s edges.
- Craft Fusible Interfacing: We highly recommend Pellon 808 Craft Fuse. This extra-stiff interfacing is crucial for ensuring your pleats maintain their crisp shape and elegant fan-out when attached to the ottoman. Without it, your skirt might appear “wimpy” or droopy.
- Fabric Adhesive: Choose between Heat n’ Bond Ultra Hold iron-on adhesive (ideal for no-sew hems) or Fabric-Tac, a strong liquid adhesive for various fabric applications. Having both can be useful.
- Carriage Bolt: At least 6 inches long, this will secure your tufted button.
- Washers: Two washers to be used with the carriage bolt for secure fastening.
- Wing Nut: Must fit securely onto your carriage bolt.
- OJ Can Top: A clean, sturdy top from an orange juice can (or similar metal lid) will form the core of your tufted button.
- Drill and Bit: Select a drill bit that matches the diameter of your carriage bolt for precision holes.
- Staple Gun and Staples: A heavy-duty staple gun with 5/16-inch staples is indispensable for securing fabric tightly to the ottoman base.
- Wire: Any strong, flexible wire will do; florist’s wire works perfectly for securing the tufted button’s fabric.
- Yard Stick: Essential for accurate measurements, especially for the skirt length.
- Scissors: Sharp fabric scissors are a must. Electric scissors can significantly speed up cutting long fabric strips.
- Pencil: For marking measurements on fabric.
- Straight Pins: To hold pleats in place before pressing.
- Decorative Tacks: These will provide a professional, finished look to attach the skirt and mimic the inspiration photo’s nail-head trim.
- Hammer: For gently tapping in decorative tacks.
- Iron: A hot iron (preferably steam) is critical for applying fusible interfacing and creating crisp pleats.
- Seamstress Measuring Gauge: A small, adjustable gauge helps maintain consistent pleat sizes, ensuring a uniform and professional appearance.
How to Tuft the Top of Your No-Sew Ottoman
Creating the tufted top adds a touch of elegance and depth to your ottoman. This no-sew method for tufting is surprisingly straightforward and yields beautiful results.
1. Begin by cutting a circle from your chosen fabric and another from the batting. Each circle should be approximately twice the diameter of your OJ can top. This generous size ensures you have ample material to gather and secure around the “button” core.
2. Carefully drill a hole directly through the center of your OJ can top. If you don’t have a drill, a sharp awl can also be used to punch a clean hole. Next, thread one washer onto the carriage bolt, followed by the OJ can top, and then the second washer. This assembly forms the core of your tufted button, providing stability and a surface for gathering fabric.
3. Position this bolt-and-can assembly precisely at the center of your fabric and batting circles. Ensure all layers are stacked neatly to prepare for gathering.
4. Begin to carefully gather the fabric and batting over the OJ can top, pulling it snugly around the carriage bolt. It’s crucial to pull the fabric and batting as tightly as possible to create a firm, well-defined button. Once gathered, wrap your chosen wire (florist’s wire works beautifully) around the fabric at the base of the bolt to secure everything in place. A good technique is to cut a long piece of wire, center it against the bolt, and then wrap the ends repeatedly around each side, twisting tightly to prevent unraveling.
5. Once the fabric and batting are securely wired, trim any excess wire ends and superfluous fabric close to the wrapped area. This creates a neat, compact base for your tufted button.
6. Now, prepare your ottoman base. Using your drill and the appropriate bit, create a hole precisely in the center of the wooden tabletop of your ottoman base. This hole will accommodate the carriage bolt from your tufted button.
7. Next, create a corresponding hole in the center of your foam, batting, and main upholstery fabric. For the foam, simply push the tips of your scissors through the center. Repeat this process carefully for the batting and the large square of fabric that will cover the top of the ottoman. Ensure these holes align for a clean tufted finish.
8. Layer the batting smoothly over the foam, then place your main upholstery fabric on top. Carefully guide the end of the carriage bolt from your prepared tufted button through the aligned holes in the fabric, batting, and foam. This ensures the button is perfectly centered.
9. With the layers assembled, compress the foam firmly with your hands until the end of the carriage bolt protrudes clearly from the bottom side of the foam. This ensures enough thread is available for fastening.
10. Carefully insert the end of the carriage bolt through the pre-drilled hole in the center of the ottoman’s tabletop. This step is made considerably easier if you have a helper to hold the foam in place while you flip the entire base upside down. Once the carriage bolt is visible on the underside of the base, thread the wing nut onto it and tighten it securely. As you tighten, the foam will compress, pulling the fabric inward to create that desirable tufted look. Periodically, flip the base back over to check the appearance of your tufted button and ensure you’re achieving the desired aesthetic. Adjust the tightness of the wing nut as needed to perfect the tuft.
11. With the tufting secured, flip the ottoman base right-side up to continue covering the top.
12. Now, smooth the upholstery fabric over the foam, gently pressing outwards from the center tuft towards all edges of the ottoman. The goal is to achieve an even, wrinkle-free surface. Start the stapling process on one side of the ottoman, pulling the fabric taut and applying a single staple to the underside of the wooden tabletop. Immediately repeat this process directly across from the first staple, then add one staple to each of the remaining two sides. Think of it like stapling in the “north, south, east, and west” cardinal directions to ensure even tension across the top.
13. Once the initial four staples are in place, add one staple to each corner, again ensuring the fabric is pulled taut before securing. Depending on how much your tabletop overhangs, you may need to staple the fabric directly to the base at the corners. Periodically step back and visually inspect the fabric on the top to confirm it remains straight and smooth. If satisfied, proceed to staple the remaining fabric to the underside of the tabletop. We found that starting from the center of each side and working outwards, first to the right corner, then to the left, yielded the smoothest finish. The corners will require some careful hand-pleating and stapling to manage the excess fabric gracefully. Always remember to pull the fabric firmly before each staple. Continuously check the ottoman’s top to ensure the foam edge remains even and the fabric tension is consistent all around. If you encounter any wrinkles or unevenness, use point-nosed pliers to carefully remove staples and re-adjust the fabric.
14. To achieve an even tauter and more polished look, once the fabric was largely secured, I found it helpful to flip the ottoman over and carefully place one foot onto the top (now the underside) to slightly compress the foam. This allowed me to pull even more fabric tightly underneath and apply additional staples, ensuring a perfectly smooth and firm surface on the visible top side.
15. Continue stapling generously, consistently pulling the fabric taut, until you are completely satisfied with the smooth and even appearance of the ottoman’s upholstered top and sides. Don’t be shy with the staples – more staples mean a more secure and lasting finish.
16. At this point, the top of your ottoman will look beautifully upholstered. While you could trim the excess fabric underneath, we chose to leave it. The untrimmed fabric can actually provide additional bulk and support, helping the pleated skirt fan out elegantly and maintain its shape around the base.
Crafting and Attaching the Elegant Fabric Skirt to Your Ottoman
Now for the captivating skirt that will add flair and a finished look to your ottoman! This section focuses on the ingenious no-sew methods. For those proficient with a sewing machine, simply sew a neat hem on the top and bottom edges of your 5-yard skirt piece. Our no-sew alternative is just as effective and produces a professional-looking finish.
1. First, accurately measure the desired height of your ottoman skirt. Using a yardstick, measure from the floor up to the top edge of the ottoman’s tabletop. To account for the natural flare and drape of the pleats, angle the yardstick slightly outwards as you measure. Add an extra 2 inches to this measurement to allow for a clean hem. In our case, the measurement was 15 inches. Since we utilized the finished selvage edge of our fabric for one side of the skirt, we saved ourselves the need to create a hem on that particular edge. For the other side, use a T-square yardstick to mark your desired height (e.g., 15 inches) with a pencil along the entire 5-yard length of fabric. Connect all these marks with a clear pencil line to guide your cut.
2. Carefully cut your fabric along the marked line using sharp scissors. If you have electric scissors, this is where they truly shine, making quick and precise work of a long cut.
3. To create a professional-looking no-sew hem:
1. Fold the raw edge of your fabric over by approximately 1/2 inch and press it flat with a hot iron. This creates your initial fold line.
2. Fold the edge over again by another 1/2 inch and press firmly. This encloses the raw edge, making it neat and preventing fraying.
3. Carefully insert your Heat n’ Bond iron-on adhesive strip (paper side up) underneath the second fold. Ensure it runs the full length of the hem.
4. Using a hot iron, press directly over the paper side of the Heat n’ Bond. Apply firm, even pressure. Allow the adhesive to cool completely, as this helps it bond effectively.
5. Once cooled, gently peel away the paper backing from the adhesive strip, revealing the sticky side.
6. Fold the hemmed edge back over onto the adhesive and press again with a hot iron until the fabric is securely bonded. Allow it to cool and set.
7. You will now have a crisp, durable, and completely finished edge without a single stitch!
4. For your pleated skirt to maintain its elegant shape and fan out beautifully, the fabric needs significant stiffness. Without adequate stiffening, the pleats would look limp and “droopy,” diminishing the overall aesthetic. This is where the iron-on craft interfacing comes in. Piece the interfacing onto the back side of your skirt fabric, ensuring you cover the entire pleated section but don’t necessarily need to extend it over the already-finished hems. Place the shiny, adhesive side of the interfacing down against the fabric, and use a steam iron to firmly adhere it. Work in sections, applying even pressure and heat until the interfacing is fully bonded, providing the essential structure for perfect pleats.
How to Create Elegant Pleats in Your Ottoman Skirt
Creating uniform pleats is key to a polished skirt. This process, while a bit time-consuming, is meditative and rewarding. Set up your ironing board in a comfortable spot, perhaps with a movie playing, and get ready to create beautiful folds.
1. We created 2 and 3/4-inch box pleats for this ottoman. To ensure absolute consistency, use a small sewing gauge to accurately measure each pleat. This little tool is invaluable for maintaining uniform size across the entire skirt. As you form each pleat, observe how the fabric layers underneath create structure – this is exactly what you want for a full, elegant look. The process took about two hours, but the precision is well worth the effort.
2. As you meticulously form each pleat, secure it immediately with straight pins to hold its shape. For our box pleats, each side of the underside fold measured 1-1/4 inches. Measure carefully, pin the folds in place, then use your hand to precisely form the pleat before pressing it crisply with a hot iron. The iron-on interfacing will greatly assist in making these pleats hold their sharp lines.
3. Your pleated skirt will begin to take shape beautifully. Remember to leave approximately 3 inches of unpleated fabric at both the beginning and the end of your skirt strip. This extra fabric is essential for neatly matching and joining the ends when you attach the skirt to the ottoman, creating a seamless finish.
4. Once all pleats are formed, you’ll see how the interfacing makes the fabric stand up on its own, a testament to its effectiveness. Now it’s time to attach the skirt to the ottoman. Using your decorative tacks and a hammer, carefully affix the skirt to the edge of the tabletop. A crucial tip for straight placement is to use your finger to feel for the top of the table edge, then align the top edge of your skirt precisely with it. This tactile guide will help you keep both the skirt and the decorative tack placement perfectly straight and even around the entire perimeter of the ottoman, ensuring a professional and elegant finish.
Your DIY No-Sew Ottoman: Project Completed!
And there you have it! The journey of creating this no-sew ottoman has concluded, yielding a piece that not only meets but even surpasses initial expectations. While the “no-sew” method certainly involves a fair amount of time at the ironing board, every moment invested was undeniably worth it. The result is a beautifully handcrafted, tufted, and pleated ottoman that adds a touch of bespoke elegance to any living space. We are absolutely thrilled with our new ottoman and hope you are too!