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Cable spool to upholstered stool

Upcycle idea: Upholstered stool from a cable spool

 Welcome to day 3 of Six Days of Spring! I’m sharing projects all week that take old things and bring them back to life, like today’s tutorial on how to make an upholstered stool from a cable spool. Fabric is always a great way to bring a pop of color into a room, and an upholstered stool can be a great option. They’re so flexible – you can use them as a foot stool or an extra seat in a pinch. So let’s make one!


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First you’re going to need a spool. Since Mr. SCC is a Dish dude, I have easy access to more than I could ever use. If you can’t get one, you can use two rounds, just give it more support in the center to make up for the center of the spool. Mine has a plastic core and wooden ends.

 

 

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 First, we need to give it a little more strength. We added in several pieces of 1×2 by screwing through the top and bottom of the spool to sandwich the supports. He put them about every 8 inches.

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Next, we took pieces of cardboard and covered up the sides, by attaching it with staples. See, we’re recycling!

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 Now for the squishy bits. I used chair pad foam, cutting it with an electric knife to fit the top.  Once cut, sit it aside.

 

 

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I added a layer of quilt batting, first by wrapping it around the sides. I stapled it onto the top and bottom to keep it nice and secure.

 Next, I put the foam back in place, and put layers of batting over it. I stapled around the edge, then trimmed off the excess.

 Next, I made a muslin cover. I started by measuring the circumference of the stool, and about 10 inches to the height. First I pinned the side together and sewed it into a sleeve, making sure it fit nice and snug on the ottoman. It was a straight line stitch, simple and sweet.

Using the ottoman as a template, I cut a round for the top.

 Next, I stitched the the tube that I created to cover the sides to the top – think like a top hat.

 

 

Upcycle idea: Upholstered stool from a cable spool

 After it was all stitched up, I slipped it on the ottoman right side out.

Upcycle idea: Upholstered stool from a cable spool

 I took all the excess and stapled it to the bottom of the ottoman, making sure that the fabric was nice and tight all the way around.

Upcycle idea: Upholstered stool from a cable spool

Now let’s start with the pretty fabric! I used a beautiful turquoise fabric from Fabric.com. I traced the top of the ottoman giving myself about a 1 inch seam allowance.

Upcycle idea: Upholstered stool from a cable spool

 Next, I measured the height and added about 4 inches, to make sure it would go under the bottom once finished. {We’ll get to that in a minute.}

Upcycle idea: Upholstered stool from a cable spool

 Just like with the muslin, I measured around the width, pinned it together and stitched it into a tube.

Upcycle idea: Upholstered stool from a cable spool

 I pinned it together, using the stool as my guide, inserting cording as I pinned.

Upcycle idea: Upholstered stool from a cable spool

 Once it was all pinned together, I slipped it off and stitched it together.

Upcycle idea: Upholstered stool from a cable spool

 We’re almost done!

Upcycle idea: Upholstered stool from a cable spool

I ironed a hem on the open end, turning it in 1/2 inch, then another 1/2 inch to create a small tube. I stitched a line really close to the top, leaving a 3 inch opening to feed the elastic through.

Upcycle idea: Upholstered stool from a cable spool

 I used elastic cording to hold it on when it was finished. First, pull the elastic tight around the stool to measure, then add 2 inches so you can finish it. Tie the cording to two safety pins, one to each end of the elastic. Pin one end to the hem in the fabric to keep it from slipping away, while you feed the second end through the hem. Once you have it through, tie it up with a secure knot. {Remember the old scout saying “Right over left, left over right, makes a knot that’s nice and tight.”}

 

 

Upcycle idea: Upholstered stool from a cable spool

 Then stitch up the opening you left for the elastic, and slip it onto the ottoman.

 
Upcycle idea: Upholstered stool from a cable spool

Now kick your feet up – you totally deserve it after all that work! It may look complicated, but I made the entire stool in under an hour. I’d say that’s an hour very well spent!

 
 
 
*Fabric.com supplied the fabric for this project. This post contains affiliate links*

 

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Filed Under: DIY

About Gina Luker

Gina Luker is a writer, photographer and lover of all things quirky. She's usually found with a drill in one hand and a cocktail in the other while blogging along the way. She's addicted to coffee, polka dots, rock stars, Instagram, and everything aqua.

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Comments

  1. stefania says

    February 27, 2013 at 11:03 am

    Geniale!!!!!

    Reply
  2. Susan @ homeroad.net says

    February 27, 2013 at 11:26 am

    Adorable! Great thinking and it’s beautiful!
    Susan

    Reply
  3. The Cottage Market {Andrea} ♥ says

    February 27, 2013 at 11:37 am

    This is simply FABULOUS my friend!!! You rocked it and talk about Step by Step directions…WOW!!! hugs…

    Reply
  4. TheSewingLoft says

    February 27, 2013 at 11:37 am

    This looks AMAZING! Love that your looked past it’s original use.
    ~Heather

    Reply
  5. SmithShack71 says

    February 27, 2013 at 12:15 pm

    I love this!
    I have an old ottoman that has some duck tape holding it together. Duck. Tape.
    I should really try to cover it.

    -Angie

    Reply
  6. Sue Marrazzo says

    February 27, 2013 at 1:05 pm

    LOVE the Fabric!!!

    Reply
  7. imklvr says

    February 27, 2013 at 1:36 pm

    OK, that’s enough! Not only are you terribly talented, but you have access to all the spools you could ever need?? I shout..UNFAIR! Cuz now I want one so I can do this! Ah, well, who knows? I might find one. But you ARE one clever chick and I love your blog! Dona

    Reply
  8. Kelly Rinzema says

    February 27, 2013 at 1:37 pm

    That is so smart!! I love that color too 🙂

    Reply
  9. Infarrantly Creative says

    February 27, 2013 at 1:42 pm

    That is gorgeous Gina! I absolutely love it.

    Reply
  10. Julie Boarder says

    February 27, 2013 at 1:43 pm

    Wow, you make this look so easy and quick! Seriously it would take me about an hour just to pin in the cording. I have an ottoman in my garage that my mom and I started to recover last summer, but never finished, I think this is the kick I need to get it done. Love the fabric too!

    Julie

    Reply
  11. Eclectically Vintage says

    February 27, 2013 at 1:49 pm

    I need a dish dude – this is fabulous!! Love the color and shape – it’s perfection!
    Kelly

    Reply
  12. Peggy says

    February 27, 2013 at 2:59 pm

    OH Gina this is perfect! Now I need to see if anyone I know have access to the spool… yes I want to paint one with black chalk paint for a teen boy’s room. It will fit perfectly next to the chair under his bed. 🙂

    Reply
  13. Jean @ www.thebackyardbungalow.com says

    February 27, 2013 at 3:00 pm

    I can see it now, there will be all kinds of women following the “dish dude” trucks around town! Beautifully done!

    Reply
  14. Tammy says

    February 27, 2013 at 3:02 pm

    Absolutely fabulous! Great instructions and the end product looks marvelous!

    Reply
  15. Elka says

    February 27, 2013 at 4:54 pm

    What a great project! I love how you re-used the spool and your directions are great. I may be trying this project this weekend . . .

    Reply
  16. Our Pinteresting Family says

    February 27, 2013 at 7:56 pm

    Such a fantastic idea! I love the fabric that you chose. 🙂

    Reply
  17. Melissa Skidmore says

    February 27, 2013 at 10:38 pm

    Love this! I need a couple of those for my family room! I am pinning this! Life to the full, Melissa @ DaisyMaeBelle

    Reply
  18. Vicky Hunt says

    February 27, 2013 at 11:17 pm

    I love your adorable spool stool! The tutorial is very helpful as well. I used this exact same fabric in my classroom this year! I love it…the turquoise shade is beautiful and it is such a good quality fabric…:) Nice job….thanks for sharing!

    Vicky
    Life On Willie Mae Lane

    Reply
  19. Pendra says

    February 28, 2013 at 12:18 am

    You clever, clever girl! This is so creative and you used just gorgeous fabric! Looks great next to your chalkboard wall!
    ~Pendra

    Reply
  20. Lisa Nelsen-Woods says

    February 28, 2013 at 12:34 am

    I love everything about this project especially the fabric.

    Reply
  21. Megan says

    February 28, 2013 at 1:01 am

    Wow I love what you have done with the spool. You are a very clever girl. I wish I had talent like you to do this. The colour is great and it looks so great with the chair. Well done Gina

    Reply
  22. Michele {The Scrap Shoppe} says

    February 28, 2013 at 1:22 am

    This looks awesome, Gina! Pinning so I can make one. 😉

    Reply
  23. Angela Ryder says

    February 28, 2013 at 1:26 am

    This is TOTALLY awesome! I was just looking at two of these on sale on Craigslist in my area and thought to myself….there’s got to be something I can do with those! Now I’m rushing back to see if they’re still for sale!! Thanks for the inspiration!! Excellent job!

    Reply
  24. Jean Bullock says

    February 28, 2013 at 1:38 am

    Excellent tutorial!

    Reply
  25. Courtney ~ French Country Cottage says

    February 28, 2013 at 4:46 am

    Oh I just absolutely love it Gina!! It looks amazing and that fabric is perfect!!!

    Reply
  26. Jen @ Girl in the Garage says

    February 28, 2013 at 2:03 pm

    This turned out awesome! What a great transformation. I never would have guessed that stool used to be a stool. Great job! Jen

    Reply
  27. Melissa Owczarzak says

    February 28, 2013 at 2:14 pm

    you are way too talented lol, send me some! love that fabeic!

    Reply
  28. fromwinetowhine.com says

    March 1, 2013 at 2:13 am

    Way to think outside the box, it looks great!

    Reply
  29. craftythriftydecoratingwifemom says

    March 1, 2013 at 3:40 am

    Under an hour?!?! Please tell me you’re kidding. That is so gorgeous how could it take so little time; unless of course it’s being made by a sewing whiz. Love it!!

    Reply
  30. Libby says

    March 2, 2013 at 11:36 pm

    Oh my goodness. This is such an amazing tutorial! You have really outdone yourself on this love. I love everything about it. Love, Love.

    Reply
  31. Melissa Aldana says

    March 5, 2013 at 5:47 am

    omg how wonderful I have one of these in my store. You will make me learn how to sew. I don’t know if I can forgive you for that

    Reply
  32. Nicki Parrish says

    March 5, 2013 at 2:58 pm

    I love this! Sooo cute! I am working on a post for my weekly Trashtastic Tuesday Series and I am gonna put a little feature of your stool with a link back to you tutorial on my post today. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  33. Mindi@MyLove2Create says

    March 13, 2013 at 4:22 am

    You are my hero, seriously! This is so amazing and, I have a spool just waiting for inspiration, you just gave me some-great tutorial too! Pinning!

    Reply
  34. Brenda says

    September 2, 2013 at 10:57 am

    Soooooooooooooooooooooo Beautiful!!!! And extremely creative! So smart and trendy! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  35. Crumbug says

    April 10, 2014 at 7:06 pm

    An hour? Really. What a load of BS.
    And what is with all of you people blowing flowers up her but?
    My grandmother used to do the same thing with old juice cans, a lot sturdier and she didn’t need a man to bring her the cans and make the structure for her.
    Oh, and she filled the cans with beans so the thing wouldn’t topple over with the slightest touch.

    Some of those stools are still kicking around…. Yours will be in trash by the end of the year.

    Reply
  36. Alysun says

    March 17, 2018 at 10:24 am

    Very good tutorial! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • Gina Luker says

      March 19, 2018 at 10:16 am

      Thanks so much Alysun!

      Reply

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