Measure your ottoman and cut fabric in the right order

Start by measuring your ottoman's length, width, and height with a soft measuring tape. Write down three numbers: the top surface, the four sides, and the bottom. Add 1 inch to each measurement for seam allowance, then add another 2 to 3 inches for tucking and fitting — you will need the extra fabric to wrap around corners and pull tight.

Cut five pieces: one for the top, four for the sides. If your ottoman is wider than your fabric, you will need to piece the top or sides together with a seam running down the middle. Cut the bottom piece only after the cover is nearly finished, because you will pin it in place to check the fit first.

Lay out all pieces on a flat surface before cutting. Mark the grain line (the direction the fabric naturally hangs) on each piece with chalk or a fabric pen, and cut with sharp fabric scissors or a rotary cutter. Uneven cuts will show when the cover is sewn.

Key Takeaways

  • Measure your ottoman's top, sides, and height, then add 1 inch for seams and 2 to 3 inches for tucking before you cut.
  • Sew the four side pieces to the top piece first, using a 1/2-inch seam allowance and a straight stitch, then press seams open.
  • Pin the bottom piece in place and try the cover on the ottoman to check the fit before sewing it permanently.
  • Trim excess fabric at the corners, clip into seam allowances at curves, and finish raw edges with a zigzag stitch or bias tape to prevent fraying.
  • Add a zipper to one side seam if you want the cover to be removable for washing.

Sew the sides to the top in the right sequence

Lay the top piece right-side up on your work surface. Take the first side piece, place it right-side down on top of the top piece, and align the edges. Pin along the seam line, spacing pins 4 to 6 inches apart. Sew with a 1/2-inch seam allowance using a straight stitch at a medium speed — too fast and you will pull the fabric off grain.

Sew all four sides to the top piece in the same way, pressing each seam open with an iron as you finish it. Press on the wrong side first, then flip and press on the right side to set the seam flat. This step matters: pressed seams lie smoother and look more finished than unpressed ones.

Now sew the four side pieces to each other at the corners. Fold the cover so two side pieces meet right-sides together, pin the corner seam, and sew. Repeat for all four corners. Press these seams open as well. The cover should now look like a box with an open bottom.

Pin the bottom piece and test the fit on the ottoman

Before you sew the bottom permanently, place the cover on the ottoman and check how it sits. The sides should be snug but not stretched, and the top should lie flat without wrinkles. If the cover is too loose, you can take in the side seams by 1/4 inch. If it is too tight, let out the seams slightly or add gussets (small fabric triangles) at the corners.

Once the fit is right, pin the bottom piece to the lower edges of the four sides, right-sides together. Pin at the corners first, then work your way around, easing the fabric as you go. Try the cover on the ottoman one more time with the pins in place. If it looks good, you are ready to sew.

Sew the bottom and finish the raw edges

Sew the bottom piece to the sides using a 1/2-inch seam allowance, sewing slowly around all four corners. Backstitch at the start and end of each seam to lock the stitches. Press this seam open on the wrong side, then trim the seam allowance to 1/4 inch to reduce bulk at the corners.

Clip into the seam allowance at each corner, cutting to within 1/8 inch of the stitching line. This allows the fabric to turn smoothly without bunching. Finish all raw edges with a zigzag stitch set to a medium width and length, or bind them with bias tape if you want a more polished look. Bias tape is a strip of fabric cut on the bias (at a 45-degree angle to the grain) that wraps around the edge and is sewn on both sides.

Add a zipper if you want the cover to be removable

If you plan to wash the cover, add a zipper to one of the side seams before you sew the bottom piece. Cut the side seam 2 inches shorter than the full height, leaving a 2-inch gap at the bottom. Sew the zipper into this gap using a zipper foot attachment on your machine, following the zipper manufacturer's instructions. Then sew the bottom piece as normal, and the zipper will run from the top of the ottoman down to near the bottom.

A 14-inch or 16-inch zipper works well for most ottomans. Sew the zipper tape to the seam allowances first, then sew the fabric edges to the zipper tape. This two-step method is more stable than trying to sew everything at once.

Press and fit the finished cover

Once all seams are sewn and edges are finished, press the entire cover with a warm iron. Pay special attention to the corners and seams. Place the cover on the ottoman and smooth out any wrinkles by hand. If you added a zipper, test it to make sure it opens and closes smoothly.

If the cover is too loose or too tight after it is finished, you can adjust it by taking in or letting out the side seams. This is easier to do before you wash it, so try it on and make any final adjustments while the fabric is still fresh from the sewing machine.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fabric works best for an ottoman slipcover?

Cotton canvas, linen, and cotton blends are durable and straightforward to sew. Avoid stretchy fabrics like jersey or knits unless you have experience with them — they require special needles and techniques. Heavier fabrics hold their shape better than lightweight ones, but they are harder to sew through at the corners.

How much fabric do I need?

For a standard square ottoman 18 inches on each side and 16 inches tall, you will need about 2 to 2.5 yards of 45-inch-wide fabric, depending on how much you add for tucking and seam allowance. Measure your ottoman first and sketch out how the pieces will fit on your fabric before you buy.

Can I sew a slipcover without a sewing machine?

Yes, but it will take much longer. Hand-sewing a slipcover requires a strong needle, heavy-duty thread, and a running stitch or backstitch. Most people find a machine much faster and more reliable, especially for the long seams on the sides.

What should I do if my ottoman has a curved or rounded top?

Measure the curve with a flexible measuring tape and draft a pattern on paper first. You may need to cut the top piece in sections and sew them together, or use a stretchy fabric that molds to the shape. Test your pattern on muslin (a cheap cotton fabric) before cutting your final fabric.

How do I keep the slipcover from sliding around?

Sew elastic straps to the underside of the cover and attach them to the ottoman legs with Velcro, or add a drawstring channel around the bottom edge that you can pull tight. Another option is to make the cover snug enough that friction keeps it in place.