Welcome once again to Transformation Thursday! It’s the one day of the week we all get together to celebrate getting stuff done. No matter if you’ve been coming around for quite a while or this is your first time, everyone is welcome to share their projects, big or small. Just link up at the bottom of this post. I bought this ottoman at a yard sale for $5 nearly two years ago. I had another slipcover on it, but it was a bare basic version, and it was worn out. Since we’ll be buying a new couch next week, now was the time to update the ottoman. We love it. It’s the perfect size and really comfy, it was just ugly. We can fix that, though!First you have to measure. This is where it shows that math is not my strong suit. I had to dig deep to figure this out. Hope all that above is clear, but if you have questions, please leave them in the comments below. Folding the right sides of the fabric together, line up two sides to one corner, then iron down flat. The more careful you are in getting a crisp corner, the better it will turn out. Measure in from the corner the amount of inches that your cushion is thick. Draw a line and then sew a line directly down it, so that you create a corner once it’s sewn down. Trim off the corner, rinse and repeat the other three corners. Now comes the long part. First you need to run a test strip in your ruffler to see the ratio of straight to ruffled fabric. If I run mine to ruffle every stitch with my stitches set at 4, I can get a 25% ratio on my ruffles – meaning that I need the circumference of the ottoman multiplied by 4 to know how many inches of fabric I need. The drop from the bottom of the cushion to the floor was 10 inches, I needed an inch for hemming and another for sewing the ruffles to the top of the cover. My fabric was 45 inches wide, and I needed 432 inches of length, so I cut ten 12 inch strips of fabric. Sew them together right side together, end to end, creating one loooooonnnnggg strip. Hem the entire length of the skirt fabric, Then run it through your ruffler. Now go have a glass of tea and relax a bit, you just did a whole buncha work! Rested? Ok! Start in one corner of the top and put the ruffle on the edge of the top, right sides together. Pull an inch of the ruffle past the corner, but start sewing right on the corner, so you have a little overlap that is free from the hem. Sew the ruffle to the top all the way around, I kept about a 3/4 inch hem allowance. When you get back around to the starting corner, sew it right up to the first one, holding the flaps right sides together. Once it’s all sewn down, run a stitch to close the skirt. Put the cover on, then prop your feet up and enjoy all your hard work! Ain’t she pretty?
Soooo…. whatcha got? I wanna see and so does everybody else! Just put your PERMALINK into the linky, and please link back here so everyone can find the great ideas. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE DO NOT link to an Etsy shop, online store or other selling venue. Be sure to say hi to your neighbors – it is a party after all. If you are new this week, please leave a comment letting me know!
Enchanted Rose Studio says
Great tutorial, Gina! Your slipcover came out so darling! Love the ruffle tip!
Thanks so much for hosting!
Cheers!
Tina
Confessions of a Plate Addict says
Hi Gina! Thanks for the great tutorial! Love the results! Now I will be hunting an old ottoman! Happy week!…hugs…Debbie
angie says
Hi Gina – I have been following you for a little while now, but I think this is the first time I’ve linked up – #8, the stuffed felt hearts. This wasn’t really a “transformation”, but an easy little craft – hope that meets the guidelines, but if not, I apologize – feel free to delete! 🙂
Honey at 2805 says
Hi Gina! Thanks for hosting this party. There are so many inspirational ideas! Love the ticking.
Decorchick! says
Looks great Gina! Gosh, I’m not sure I can do all the math for mine. Why couldn’t your ottoman been the exact same measurements as mine? 🙂
Brandi says
Love your ottoman! You really did a fantastic job!
Angie @ The Country Chic Cottage says
GORGEOUS!!! Was that material on sale?? 😉 HUGS!
Leanne says
THe ottoman turned out so cute. I love the ticking. Thanks for hosting again.
Brambleberry Cottage says
Looks like a comfy cottage piece for sure now. I like the ticking fabric.
Be sure to come by and enter my giveaway. I’d also love to have you join my linky party.
Blessings,
Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage
http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/
Sarah Marie Kathleen says
Hi,
I just found your blog and was excited to join the link party. I have a really gross old ottoman I’ve been thinking about giving away but you just inspired me 🙂
~Sarah
HoosierHomemade says
What a great tutorial! Love it!
Thanks for sharing!
~Liz
Jess @ Frugal with a Flourish says
This is amazing! I have always wanted the courage to be able to redo something like that! Great tutorial! (And thanks for hosting!)
Lisa @ Fern Creek Cottage says
Once again I wish I could sew! I love that ticking ruffle around the bottom of the ottoman! I so look forward to seeing your new couch! I bet you’re excited. 🙂
The Sterling Cherub says
Hi Gina!
Your ottoman slipcover turned out so lovely, but I am doubting that math is not your strong suit. That was some fancy arithmetic (or maybe it was algebra?) that you did there! My eyes glazed over, and instead of tea, I’d like a margarita, please. Salted rim, extra lime. I was a social sciences major in college, so I can honestly say that math is not MY strong suit!
I do love your idea for the ruffle and will use it when I go to slipcover a footstool I am threatening to make over.
Thank you for the tutorial. You are so creative!
Best,
Kimberly
Gina @ The Shabby Chic Cottage says
Yep, Angie – ticking was a $3 a yard Walmart sale 🙂
Diann @ The Thrifty Groove says
Wonderful tutorial! thank you!
Martina says
Hi Gina I’ve followed your blog for awhile but just started one of my own so this is the first time I’m joining in on the party.Your blog is so inspiring, Martina
LP aka A Crafty Southern Chick says
Hi, Gina! I’m new here, it’s my first link up, although I’ve been following you for a while. I linked up my scrappy tie wreath…I hope it fits the guidelines 🙂 Thanks for hosting!
The Polka Dot Closet says
Gina, I guess it was stool week for us! I love yours, thank you once again for hosting this party!
Carol
Creative Escapes says
Hi – I just posted #89 a dress up center I made out of an old armoire my kids used. Thanks for hosting, I know there is a cost now – and we really appreciate the parties!
Mrs. DIY says
Love your blog! I am linking up for the first time! Mine is #90. Thanks for hosting- you’re great! 🙂
-Kait
Jodi says
I wish I had your sewing skills! So nice!
The Princess Nicole says
I love the ottoman! I linked up for the first time tonight! It is so exciting! the ottoman I did is #97- a total Goodwill find! Thanks for all of the great ideas!
Here On Crow Creek says
Its beautiful!! Were did you find your brown ticking material? Thanks for posting about your ottoman! I love this!
The Crafty Hen says
Love the ticking! I’ve been readingyour blog for a while now, but have joined your linky party for the first time (#88). You’re so creative – thanks for the inspiration!
Heather says
What a great tutorial. Makes me wish that I had a ruffler attachment to my sewing machine. I usually have to zigzag string to the seam allowance and then put that to make a ruffle.
Your ottoman transformation is phenomenal! Also, special thanks for hosting a link party. I’m off to see what everyone’s created! 🙂
Kate says
That entryway buffet is awesome!!
Holly says
Thanks for hosting. I am happy to be here. I have been a follower but linking up a little transformation today (#143). Love your slipcover. I wish I only had an ottoman to do – couches are on my list – yikes!
Holly
504 Main
Sara @ thesherlockshome says
My first time linking to you is up!
Love your tutorial, I’m just relearning my sewing machine, so I love reading how to do things!
Humble Homemaker says
I love the tutorial! It came out really cute. 🙂 I just found your blog so linked up to the party for the FIRST TIME! (#160 & #161). Thanks so much for hosting. I also became a follower… can’t wait to check out the rest of your site!
bikim says
gorgeously done!!!
perfect result!
rOsa
♥ Miss Tea says
what a wonderful idea and the result look so lovely!! you’re so crafty and I wish i can be as good as you are!! Thanks for sharing with us! 🙂
Kim @ Cheap Chic Home says
Thanks Gina! I slipped covered an ottoman as my entry today, too ;).
tales from an oc cottage says
That is just flat out adorable!!!!! ;}
m ^..^
Unique Finds and Designs says
Great ottoman! I am going to conquer sewing soon, its one of my new years resolutions. First time to post, only been following a couple weeks. You have some great ideas!
Wendy @ Ramblings from the Sunshine State says
Thanks for hosting!
Jaclyn @ Cool Home Creations says
This is my first time joining the party… #281! Love your blog! Hope you visit CHC!
Jodie says
Hello Gina, This is my first time joining your blog & link party #285. I look forward to navigating through your blog; your ottoman tutorial was fantastic. Come by and say hi, I would love to hear from you!
Jodie
Shannon says
I love how your slip cover turned out!! I always wondered how to fit it just right. Looks fabulous!
Erin says
Wonderful slipcover Gina!! Sewing is that one thing that will just never be for me…but man, I wish I could. 🙂
Ellie says
What a great tutorial! I trying to be friends with my sewing machine so I can eventually do projects like that. Thanks for hosting!
Brayton Homestead Interiors says
thanks for the lesson, that is a better way to gather than I do! I do not have a tutorial but show my handmade hearts and how I use them for display…
Karen
Kara @ Tizzi Lish says
I’m new this week!
Thanks for hosting and I hope you stop by and visit me!
http://tizzilish-kara.blogspot.com
CAS says
The ottoman turned out great. You did an excellent tutorial.
CAS
Crystal says
thanks for having such a fab link party! i’m a newbie this week & super excited to be playing along! love your site!! hugs!
Kristi~The Slipcover Girl says
gina, your ottoman is adorable! i love all those many ruffles. i need a ruffler foot!
Lenka says
First time linking, I`m so excited! Thank you for lovely party :D.
Your tutorilal is wonderful, I`m crazy about ruffles :)))
Mary says
I just wanted to say I love your blog- the examples of things you have done with your home are so “doable” and yet so unique and creative. You have the best ideas! I also like this Thursday link idea day- I like how when you check out a link you go right to the link but you don’t lose your page- if you know what I mean. Thanks for a sweet reprieve in my day- when I check your blog. (:
Barb says
Hi Gina,
I’ m party girl #321. Thanks for the party! Love connecting with so many creative people. Your blog is fantastic. I need to dust off my sewing machine(gotta find it first).
Barb
http://Www.curlywillowdiy.blogspot.com
Patricia Torres says
Hiya… Im new… I’m linking in this week… with a little bit of valentines decor.. Hope it fits in… *smiles*
Have a fab weekend!!
Brandy says
I love it! So cute and a total up-cycle!! I did an ottoman not to long ago, so I love seeing new ideas for how to do my next one, and there will be another!! Thanks for hosting!
meg + andy says
Hi! i love your site but I’m pretty new and this is the first time i’ve joined in! thanks!
meg
Stacey says
Aaaack! Just wanted to apologize! I linked up and *thought* I linked back here in my post, but apparently didn’t hit publish after I added it or something! It’s fixed now! Hate I messed that up! This isn’t my first time linking here- maybe my second? But I didn’t comment the first time!
Thank you for hosting and for all the lovely inspiration!
Katherine ( Katie) Corrigan says
Oh well done, looks great. I love the tutorial too. Hugs!
hypertude says
What setting did you have your ruffler set on?
Thanks for the project idea. I love it!
Gina @ The Shabby Chic Cottage says
Hi Hypertude,
My ruffler was set to ruffle every stitch, and my stitches set on 4. Thanks so much!
tom says
Great step by step tutorial gina. thanks for the info!