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| I've been in the process of building a coffee table ottoman for our soon-to-be-arriving sectional. I needed it to be a certain size and height. We didn't want leather and I didn't find anything in fabric that I was in love (or even in like) with. I had a small ottoman from our recently sold sofa and chair set that had the perfect set of feet. The feet are the same shape of those on our newly purchased sectional. And the best part is that it had the screw-in hardware to go with the feet. So I disassembled the ottoman to see how it was constructed, took the hardware and feet off and went to town. I figured out what lumber and materials I neeeded and made a trip to Home Depot. I sanded and spray painted the feet to match the antique black feet on the sectional.
The last step is to make the fabric cover, which I'll do next weekend because the fabric is on its way from fabricguru.com. I'm hoping I love it as much as I think I will or it's off on another fabric quest. Hey, good things take time ;o) I'll post the final pics once the sectional arrives and the ottoman is finished and in place. The only pics I forget to take were the ones that showed the high-density foam cut and adhesived in place. At that point in the process I was extremely excited and on a roll LOL. Here's how it looks, san fabric (it does have its muslin "underwear" on). Basic frame... Feet hardware...
Doweling in corners, glued and screwed...
Top platform...
Quilter's batting sheathing (tack-stripped)...
Sheathing complete...
Sheathing tack-stripped in place...
Batting cover...
And voila, the muslin cover...
WHEW!! |
Follow-Up Postings:
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| Brillant project!! Incredible job -- very very well done!!!! :) Jan |
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| It's already wonderful! But don't keep us in suspense - show us the fabric coming from the guru!! |
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- Posted by artlover13060 (My Page) on Sat, Apr 4, 09 at 12:12
| I am so impressed. Thanks for posting the how to pictures. How did you learn how to do this? |
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| Okay, okay ;o) The fabric is one of the "featured products" on the linked page. It's the seventh one down in the right column, labeled "9.4 yds. High End Tapestry Fabric in Blue Contemporary Floral Pattern" Code 3016.15.3, Price $75.98, Out of Stock (because it's mine). The sectional is covered in a smoky dark blue slubbed chenille and our living room walls are in Behr's "Beeswax", which is an ochre color. I find trying to "match" blues difficult, so I figured that the combination of colors in the fabric will be complementary and should go well. It has many of the colors I'm drawn to and ones that we have in our home. Our style is traditional/transitional and I liked the idea of adding a bit of modern to the mix. They didn't have a lesser amount of yardage because I only needed about 4.5 yards for the ottoman and throw pillows, but something about the fabric really called to me. If I don't find a use for the rest of it, I'll sell it on craigslist or Ebay. I figured that I would have had to pay at least $70 for 4.5 yards special order fabric from Joann's. That's my story and I'm sticking to it ;o) I'm keeping my fingers crossed. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Material
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| You go girl!! That is going to be fabulous! I just showed my husband a ridiculously simple looking ottoman in a Frontgate (I think) catalog for $499.00!!!! THIS is the way to do it! You'll have a gorgeous custom piece for a literal fraction of what a store would have charged. |
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| Thank you for the compliments everyone! "How did you learn how to do this?" Artlover ~ I honestly have not a clue. This is the first time I've built an ottoman. I built our fireplace mantle from scratch, relaminated our countertops (and getting ready to do it again), and assembled an armoire from a kit years ago. That armoire was probably my "ah ha" moment. I'm extremely detail-oriented and anal, so that might explain it. I'm also a visual learner, so figuring how things work and seeing the process from start to finish really turns me on LOL. |
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- Posted by bellaflora (My Page) on Sat, Apr 4, 09 at 12:38
| That looks like something our of william sonoma home! Very classy. Can't wait to see the finished product. I want one too. :-) |
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| Can't wait to see the finished piece. Thanks for sharing its progress. That fabric guru site always brings my system to its knees. Terribly slow. Anyone else have that problem there? Other sites are fine. |
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- Posted by momto4boys (My Page) on Sat, Apr 4, 09 at 13:41
| Impressive!! |
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- Posted by kitchenkelly (My Page) on Sat, Apr 4, 09 at 14:37
| You are an inspiration, Mrs Marv. Very cool. |
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| What a fabulous job! Can't wait to see the fabric in place. How about new cushions for your rocker in the fabric? |
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| I'm so impressed! You're doing a stellar job and it's great to see your "how to" pictures, thanks. I can't wait to see it finished! |
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| Fabulous! You saved yourself a bundle of $$$$$. Ottomans are so expensive. |
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- Posted by cooperbailey (My Page) on Sat, Apr 4, 09 at 20:30
| Just saw this done yet? LOL what a great job and the fabric you chose is phenomenal! cutting and pasting this for the future. And I totally get how you do this, my DH has been doing stuff like this since he was a kid- he looks at a pic and he can build it. but he doesnt know squat about fabric which is why I am cutting and pasting! thanks for sharing! |
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- Posted by sheesharee (My Page) on Sat, Apr 4, 09 at 21:35
| Wow looks great! Come make me one! :) I'm amazed at how some of you guys can do all kinds of stuff with fabric. |
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| Bravo! Bravo! Expertly executed. |
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| Mrsmarv Truly an inspiration - can't wait to see the final product Do you do use a skill saw to cut or purchase cut to size pieces? |
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| jejvtr ~ I use a circular/skill saw. I learned how to use one years ago and have gotten much better through the years. The correct blade goes a long way in making the job easier. Even though a table saw is much easier to use and gives precise cuts, we don't have anywhere to put it. I would love to have a basement, but it's not meant to be. |
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- Posted by tcarterebd (My Page) on Mon, Apr 6, 09 at 0:16
| WOW!!!!!!!! You are my inspiration! I have a beautiful pottery barn slip cover I have had for years .... begged the DH to build one but it has always stayed at the bottom of the honey-do list! LOL! I think I can definitely pull this one off without a problem! THANKS for your post! Mwaahh...and hats off to you! ;o) |
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| I saved this one--it's a gem! When you are ready for the fabric, please show how you cut the fabric to make a snug cover. I could probably sew a straight seam... Thank you Mrsmarv! |
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| very inspiring, what a great job !! |
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| I cross-posted on the Furniture Forum and asked for feedback, good or bad. One poster gave me some very valuable information: "If you went to Home Depot and purchased this lumber there, its not properly dried and will twist/check/warp and possibly crack in the coming months. Pine is not the best choice for a frame, either. Next project, go to a place that sells hardwood and get some kiln dried poplar or maple for your project." If anyone is considering tackling this project, please take heed and follow the advice. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that my pine will stay straight. Next time, it's kiln-dried poplar for me. |
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| Wow.....just beautiful! I wish I could do something like this. you know what I can I just have to put my mind to it. I can't wait to see the finished project. |
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- Posted by fauxchick56 (My Page) on Tue, Apr 7, 09 at 10:50
| mrsmarv: I think you could build a house!!! My dad was a carpenter, so I got to watch a lot of construction in his workshop. I envision myself as a carpenter, building anything I wish...and I even have all the right equipment, and still cannot build squat!!! Crown molding has me totally stumped!! Good job!! Can't wait to see if finished. |
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| with it's undewear it is beautiful..very nice job..i can't wait to see it done. |
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- Posted by newdawn1895 (My Page) on Tue, Apr 7, 09 at 18:39
| Really good looking, great job Mary. |
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- Posted by anncarolyn (My Page) on Tue, Apr 7, 09 at 19:39
| Could you answer a couple of questions? What is the size of your ottamon and when you put on the muslin cover, did you tack it underneath? Would you add a picture of the under side at this point? I am clipping this project (as many others are!) so I can try to build one. Make sure you show us the finished project!! Wonderful job! |
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| Wow. I may be restating what others have written here, but i'm just amazed by this project. Your work is so meticulous, so perfect in every way. Congratulations. This is a very special accomplishment. |
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| mrsmarv, Great ottoman! I just made one myself and I wish I had your |
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| The finished size of the top is 36" x 36", with the base size of 34" x 34". I wanted it to angle slightly from the top to the base so it wouldn't look like a giant square block. I felt it would soften the large expanse and I think it did LOL. The muslin cover is stapled to the bottom underside of the frame. I've taken the legs off and posted a pic. After the fabric cover is complete and attached to the bottom of the frame, I'll cover the bottom opening with a starched black fabric (like debnj3) and tack strip everything in place. Again, thank you everyone for the compliemts. You all make a gal feel great! Underside, sans feet... |
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| You did a beautiful job making your ottoman. Please leave instructions on how to make one. I need a twin headboard for me, any ideas? I want to cover it in some great french country fabric I got at Handhock Fabrics for $4.50 a yard. They have great bargins on leftovers at great prices. |
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| sherian ~ My photo tutorial and the attached link will give you pretty comprehensive instructions on how to construct an ottoman. Many of the above posters are cutting and pasting this thread and saving it for reference. FYI...if anyone is interested in seeing the fabric I chose, the link to fabricguru.com no longer shows the fabric. Since I purchased it and there is no more available, they removed the pic from the "featured items" page. Stay tuned for the final results ;o) |
Here is a link that might be useful: Constructing an ottoman
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- Posted by haley_comet (My Page) on Thu, Apr 9, 09 at 10:07
| Bravo! |
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| mrsmarv........I do think you are an inspiration to many women with all of your capabilities, they seem to be endless. I also think there are plenty of ladies and men that will download your directions, they seem so perfect. I can't wait for you material to come, by the way it is delicious. Don't forget we're all waiting to see the finished ottoman. You go girl!!!!!! |
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