The way to Calculate Fabric for an Ottoman

Ottomans are decor accessories which are both decorative and functional. As well as supplying additional seating in a room, they improve the comfort of the easy chair or sofa. Re-covering an ottoman, either by reupholstering or slipcovering, updates the ottoman’s look and might allow it to fit to most decor schemes. Understanding how to figure the fabric requirement helps make sure you get the most value for the money — whether or not you do the work yourself.

Draw a rough sketch of this ottoman and identify the sections: the top, the skirt (if relevant) and the side sections above the legs or skirt. Measure each part and record the dimensions on the sketch. Measurements for furniture have been written as width by length by height; the order of these measurements indicates the shape of the piece and also allows for correct pattern placement. For instance: “24 x 16 x 20” explains an ottoman that, when positioned in front of a chair in its right position, is 24 inches from side to side (width), 16 inches from front to back (thickness), and 20 inches from the upper surface to the floor (length).

Consider the alignment of this ottoman for fabric pattern placement. Striped fabric usually runs parallel to the thickness edge on the top, and parallel to a length border on the sides — but it might run horizontally if you select. A large floral print generally is placed parallel to the very best depth edge and the length edges on the sides.

Measure around the perimeter of this ottoman at every row of cording, if required, and split the resulting inches by 36 to the number of yards of cording needed.

Measure the separate sections of the ottoman and record the dimensions on the sketch. Measure each part of material, typically bounded by a seam or cording. Measure the very best — ensuring that you record the dimensions based on width and thickness for proper pattern placement. Measure from the seat to the top of the skirt or to the base of the ottoman above the feet to the period of the side part. The width of this piece is equal to the perimeter of this ottoman. Measure the width and length of this skirt on every side, if applicable.

Cut a paper pattern to the top and side sections of the ottoman, adding 1 1/2 ins to the dimensions for 3/4-inch seam allowances. Insert pleat allowances to the width of every skirt section: 20 ins for each pleat across the side of the ottoman, and 10 inches for any corner pleats. Add 3 inches to your bottom hem on a pleat part, and cut the paper pattern to such measurements. Cut a pattern to your pleat corner underlay equal to 10 inches wide and the exact same length as the pleat section; note that you require four of those pieces.

Draw an arrow on each pattern piece pointing to the top of the fabric layout orientation.

Lay the pattern pieces on the chosen fabric and arrange them with as small distance between them as possible. Make sure that the arrows all point in the exact same direction.

Measure along the border of the fabric “utilized” to ascertain the material requirements. Divide the number of inches by 36 to the number of yards required.

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