Everything I Learned From My Ottoman

So you want to learn upholstery? Where should you start?

Start with an Ottoman! Here’s why.

First, It’s a quick project. 

Ottomans are a pretty simple and quick project. It will give you a taste of upholstery without overwhelming you. You can complete this project in a day. And guess what, you don’t need a full blown upholstery shop full of tools to do it. 

You’ll Learn Real Upholstery Skills!

Don’t think you’ll learn much? The skills you learn in reupholstering an ottoman are skills you’ll use on almost any future upholstery project. Here’s a sampling of the things an ottoman will teach you. 

• How to strip the old materials from a vintage frame
• Build a foundation using webbing, foam and Dacron and maybe a little cotton
• Understand the options for each of these products
• Understand about the different types of foam and when and why to use them
• How to cut foam and the tool options to use for cutting foam 

• Hands on tool experience with air compressors, staple guns, webbing stretchers and more
• Make neat corners and proper tensioning for a neat, clean and lasting finish
• Learn to sew both single and double welt cording and how to join welt cord
• How to use a tack strip to make a clean join
• Basics of pattern matching

Whew! That’s a lot! Seriously, there is so much to learn about upholstery, the tools, the supplies, the techniques! An ottoman teaches you all of this but in a smaller dose so it’s not so overwhelming. You will absorb all this new information better and be well prepared for your next more advanced project! 

Have Fun With It!

From a design stand point, an ottoman is a smaller proposition. So its the perfect place to have some fun!

Use several of the fabrics or colors already in the room and mix them up together on an ottoman.

Go wild with and animal prints! Go bold with a punch of bright color and a big print! Razzle dazzle with some glam fabric and some fancy trim!

If you can dream it, you can incorporate some fun with an ottoman!

Who Doesn’t Need a Place to Prop Their Feet!

Why not an ottoman? I mean you always need a place for your feet to rest while you get your sit soft on! Right?

Why not make it yourself, learn some new skills and make it the most fun you feet have ever had! Be sure to sign up for my online upholstery courses waitlist here. The first course will be all about ottomans!