Any Ottoman Can Do It!

Think that reupholstering is hard? Think again!
Time consuming - yes, but you can do it!

Here is how I transformed this old ottoman into it's beautiful counterpart!

 

This was a 40"x 40" ottoman. The micro fiber material was still intact, so I wanted to keep it. It helps with support in the long run. But micro fiber is a pain to get clean once it is really dirty, so you have to scrub, scrub, scrub!

Now comes the fun part - DESTRUCTION!
Start by flipping your piece over. Remove the legs and set aside. They should just unscrew. Then you will need to remove the dust cover. If this is still intact and you wish to reuse it, then I recommend washing it on delicate to get all those years of pesky dust mite buildup out. Otherwise, chuck it and you will need to buy new at the end of the piece. I chose the former.

 

 Now remove the staples. There will be A BUNCH!

HLT: My tool of choice is this handy dandy paint scraper. There are so many uses for it. It is especially handy for removing staples - or at least prying them up so that you can grab them with your Needle Nosed Pliers.

Once your dust cover is off, you will likely see something like this:

 

OK, now flip back over. Fabric Time!
Since this piece was so big I had to first cut a piece for the top and then the sides and attach it to it. I used Duck Canvas because it is both strong enough to stretch without ripping, and durable enough to last.

HLT: If you have a patterned print, cut your side fabrics going the same direction or it will come out looking all wonky.

 

If you have a smaller piece, then you should be able to get fabric long enough to cover the entire piece. You will want at least a couple inches to overlap so that you will be able to staple it around the bottom.

Next, Comes the Tufted Buttons! See my tufted button tutorial on how to make the buttons @ http://loveandspraypaint.blogspot.com/2015/01/its-not-as-tuft-as-you-think-it-is.html
!
You need to mark out where you want the tufted buttons on the top of the fabric to get the right spacing. I chose to do 9 buttons. You will need a long upholstery needle and upholstery thread.

HLT: If you do not want to pay the expensive upholstery thread prices, and you have some braided fishing line lying around, that will work as well. ;)

Take your thread and cut about a 6 foot piece. This allows you to double the thread - then thread through your button and knot tight. Rethread through your needle.

The foam will be thick, so place your needle in your marked spot and push through while also compressing the foam enough to get your needle all the way through it. This can be tricky, so get another pair of hands to help hold the foam down, while you thread.

Once through, pull your thread tight. Use some tongue depressors or Popsicle sticks and wrap your thread around it. This help you pull your thread down tight enough to get the tension correct without having the thread cut through your hands. Plus once you get the tension correct (you will need to look at the top repeatedly to make sure that your button in secure in the fabric and is also even with the other buttons) then you can staple the sticks to the bottom!

 

 Repeat with all remaining buttons.

Time to start stapling!
Start first by stretching your fabric on one side and staple from middle outward. Then go to the opposite side and repeat. Next do the other sides, leaving space towards the corners, because you will do them last.

 

Next, stretch your fabric over the very corner and staple. Then fold each side down and stretch to make the corners. Staple down.

 Your stapled underside should look like this.

 Place your clean or new dust cover back on and staple in place. Then screw the legs back on (if you do not have to replace).

 And There you have it!

So you do not have to be afraid of upholstery! If you are just starting out, it helps to find a piece that is still in good condition to redo. Have fun!

Deborah