Let's Get Crafty: Tufted Ottoman

I saw a tufted ottoman on Pinterest and thought it was SO cute, I just had to make one.  I started scouring Craiglist for the perfect base.

I looked and looked on Craigslist for the perfect coffee table base that I could add a tufted top to and I couldn't find one that I just LOVED.  I saw this one with the scalloped edges and thought it was too cute.  The top wasn't the perfect size but for $20 I figured it would do.  I went to Lowe's and got some plywood cut to my dimensions. Then I drilled the top onto the base.

Once the top was on I had to do something about the color, much too yellow for my taste.  I slapped on some Miniwax Red Mahogany stain that I had left over from another project.

Here you can see the difference between the stained and non-stained side. SO much better!

Once I had the base done I Google'd for several tutorials to figure out different ways I could do this project.  Some of the sites I visited were: Five Days Five Ways, Little Green Notebook, and Addicted 2 Decorating. The last link has really detailed pictures of each step.

Now, let's get prepped for tufting! 

Materials:

1- Base to tuft on - I used a coffee table

2- Foam- can be purchase at JoAnn's or other sewing stores

     I used 3 inch thick foam, but you can use whatever you think will look best for your project.

3- Adhesive Spray

4- Decorator/Upholstery Needles - the bigger the better

5- Upholstery Thread- this is kind of sticky thread that is wound in a ball, not on a spool.  I picked it up at JoAnns near the pre-made zippers/roman shade cord

6- Buttons - TONS of options. Just get the amount you need for your design.

7- Batting

8- Fabric- I used an old tablecloth for this, double duty since it is water repellent!

9- Optional: Decoration for trim - braided rope or nail heads

First you have you draw out your design, I chose to do a 3 x 2 x 3 x 2 x 3 pattern - 13 tufts....quite a lofty goal for a first timer.  If you are doing this for the first time I would suggest starting with a smaller amount of tufts. It can get QUITE frustrating and you may want to have a bottle of wine  patience handy, as long as you are 21 of course (Hi Mom :D look at me not staying the youth of America down the wrong path).

Now, drill your holes into the wood. Make sure you drill forward and backwards through the wood until you have a smooth hole, tufting is hard enough as it is without splinters getting in the way!

Once you have the holes drilled it is time to attach the foam.  Cover both the wood and your foam with adhesive spray.  Wait a few minutes until the glue is tacky and then press them together firmly.

The foam I bought was nor the right size so I had to cut it into the right shape and then glue each piece down separately.  Does anyone have any idea where to get cheaper foam? That stuff is so pricey.  My mom suggested calling army surplus stores and getting their sleeping mattresses but no one around Raleigh has any in stock.  Let me know if you have any other ideas.

       

Once everything was glued into place I drew lines to make sure my buttons would be in line with the holes.

Did you know you could dye buttons?  I bought white buttons and dyed them taupe...they ended up a bit too gray.

Now onto the hard part!  This will be much easier if you have friend to help you!


Most of the other sites pre-drilled holes in the fabric.  I started to do this and it ripped the foam (EXPENSIVE FOAM!!) so I gave up on that idea and just went with no pre-drilled holes.


Step 1: Thread the needle with the upholstery thread.  Pull it a good ways through so you have enough to double back with.


Step 2: Starting from the BOTTOM of the table push the needle up through the top.


Step 3: Thread the button on. It will have 2 threads across the top if you are using enough


Step 4: Get your wine patience handy.


Step 5: Push the needle back through the fabric, batting, foam and plywood.  Take deep breaths because this isn't the easiest thing in the world but you will feel accomplished each time you get one done! If you really can't seem to find the hole *insert that's what she said joke* you can take one of the other needles in the package and push it up through the hole, this way you have a guide of where you need to be. It's amazing how crooked the needle can go when you push it through the foam.


Step 6: Tie a knot in the thread and staple it to the board in a zig zag fashion. 

Picture taken from Addicted 2 Decorating blog linked earlier.

Step 7: Celebrate your first tuft and keep it moving!

Six buttons in.....

Nine buttons in....

Step 8: Once all your tufts are secured staple your fabric to the base.

Step 9: Get Fancy! This is optional.  I used nail head trim on this project but have used braided rope trim on others. 

- Nail head trim- I used 2 boxes of nail head trim (found near the upholstery thread) and spaced them out 1.5 inches apart. Hammer away. I have seen other people use a rubber mallet for this but I used a regular hammer.

Ta Da!

Top view

Another top view

Side view with Nail Head Trim

Let me know if you do this project :) Send me pictures!