Measure your ottoman and choose your fabric

Start by measuring your ottoman in three directions: length, width, and height. Write these down. Measure around the widest part of the base too — this matters if your ottoman tapers. The fabric you choose should be sturdy enough to hold its shape under weight; upholstery-weight cotton, canvas, or linen work well. Avoid thin quilting cotton, which will sag and wear through quickly.

Buy fabric yardage equal to the length plus width plus twice the height, then add 4 inches for seam allowance and shrinkage. If your ottoman is 20 inches long, 16 inches wide, and 12 inches tall, you need roughly (20 + 16 + 24 + 4) = 64 inches, or about 1.75 yards. Check the bolt width — most home fabric stores carry 45-inch or 54-inch widths, which affects how much you need to buy.

Key Takeaways

  • Measure your ottoman's length, width, and height, then add 4 inches to your total yardage calculation to account for seams and shrinkage.
  • Cut one large rectangle that wraps around all four sides, plus separate rectangles for the top and bottom, using a rotary cutter and ruler for straight edges.
  • Sew the side panel to the top panel first, then attach the bottom panel last so you can turn the cover right-side-out through the opening.
  • Use a 1/2-inch seam allowance throughout, and backstitch at the start and end of every seam to prevent unraveling.
  • Fit the cover onto your ottoman and hand-stitch the opening closed using a ladder stitch, which is nearly invisible when done correctly.

Cut the fabric into panels

Lay your fabric on a clean, flat surface. Use a rotary cutter, ruler, and self-healing mat to cut straight lines — scissors tend to pull fabric and create uneven edges. You need three pieces: one long rectangle for the sides, one rectangle for the top, and one for the bottom.

The side panel should be as long as the perimeter of your ottoman (length plus width times two) and as tall as the height of your ottoman plus 1 inch for seam allowance. So a 20-by-16-inch ottoman needs a side panel roughly 72 inches long by 13 inches tall. The top and bottom panels should each be cut to the length and width of your ottoman, plus 1/2 inch on all sides for seam allowance.

Before you cut, check the fabric grain — the direction the weave runs. Cutting along the grain (parallel to the selvage edge) prevents stretching. If your fabric has a pattern or nap (like velvet), cut all pieces in the same direction so the pattern runs the same way on the finished cover.

Sew the side panel into a loop

Fold the long side panel in half lengthwise, with the right sides (the pretty sides) facing each other. The two short ends should meet. Sew these ends together using a 1/2-inch seam allowance, backstitching at the start and end. Press the seam open with an iron — this flattens it and makes the next steps easier.

You now have a tube. This tube will wrap around the sides of your ottoman. Try it on for fit: it should go around snugly but not so tight you cannot slide it on. If it is too loose, you can take in the seam by 1/4 inch and try again. If it is too tight, you may need to buy more fabric and start over — do not try to stretch it, as it will sag later.

Attach the top panel to the side panel

Lay the side tube flat and pin the top panel to one long edge of the tube, with right sides facing each other. The corners of the top panel should align with the seam of the tube. Use lots of pins — at least one every 2 inches — so the fabric does not shift as you sew.

Sew around the entire perimeter using a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Backstitch at the start and end. Clip the corners of the seam allowance at a 45-degree angle, cutting close to (but not through) the stitching. This prevents the corners from bunching when you turn the cover right-side-out. Press the seam open.

Attach the bottom panel, leaving an opening

Pin the bottom panel to the other long edge of the side tube, right sides facing each other, the same way you pinned the top. This time, sew around three and a half sides, leaving a 6-inch opening on one side. This opening is how you will turn the cover right-side-out and how you will fit it onto the ottoman. Backstitch at the start and end of your stitching, and at the corners of the opening.

Clip the corners of the seam allowance as you did on the top. Press the seam open, including the seam allowance around the opening — this makes the opening easier to close later.

Turn the cover right-side-out and fit it on

Reach through the 6-inch opening and pull the cover inside-out, so the right sides are now facing outward. Use a point turner (a plastic tool shaped like a flat stick) or a chopstick to push the corners out fully. Press the entire cover with an iron, paying special attention to the seams and the opening.

Slide the cover onto your ottoman. It should fit snugly on all sides. If it is loose, the seams were too wide; if it is tight, the seams were too narrow. Once it fits, you can close the opening.

Close the opening with a ladder stitch

Thread a needle with thread that matches your fabric. Knot the end. Fold the raw edges of the opening inward by 1/2 inch and press them with your fingers or an iron. Pin the opening closed.

Bring the needle up through the fold on one side of the opening, so the knot is hidden inside. Cross to the opposite side and insert the needle directly across from where you came out, then slide it inside the fold for about 1/4 inch and bring it back out. Cross back to the first side and repeat. The thread runs inside the fold on both sides, so it stays hidden. After every 4 or 5 stitches, gently pull the thread to close the opening. When you reach the end, knot the thread inside the fold and trim it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a sewing machine for the whole project?

Yes, except for closing the opening. A sewing machine can do all the seams that hold the panels together. The ladder stitch at the end must be done by hand because a machine stitch would be visible and would look unfinished. Hand-stitching takes 10 to 15 minutes and is worth the effort.

What if my ottoman is round or has curved sides?

Round ottomans are harder because you cannot cut a straightforward rectangle for the sides. You will need to cut the side panel in a spiral or in curved sections, which requires a pattern. For your first cover, stick with a rectangular ottoman. If you have a round one, search for a curved ottoman cover pattern online — many are free.

Do I need to pre-wash the fabric?

Yes, if the fabric is cotton, linen, or a blend. Wash it in warm water on a gentle cycle, dry it on low heat, and press it before you cut. This prevents the finished cover from shrinking unevenly after you put it on the ottoman. Synthetic fabrics like polyester usually do not shrink, but check the bolt label.

What if I make a mistake while sewing?

Use a seam ripper to cut and remove the stitches, then re-sew. Seam rippers are cheap and essential. If you rip out a seam, press the fabric flat again before you sew it a second time — wrinkles can throw off your alignment.

Can I add piping or trim to the edges?

Yes, but add it before you sew the panels together. Sew piping or trim to the top and bottom panels along the edges that will meet the side panel, then sew the panels together as usual. The trim will be sandwiched in the seam and will show along the edges of the finished cover. This is a more advanced technique — master the basic cover first.