Ottoman Empire

Get a leg up on your storage by creating a fancy footstool that’ll turn your living room into a palace.

Who knew an upholstered storage footstool could be both glamorous and easy to make? Start with a simple wooden cube and the most flamboyant fabrics you can find. Then add a few elegant embellishments and you can store your stuff in style!

WHAT YOU’LL NEED
16” square wood storage cube (unfinished furniture store)
16” x 16” piece of wood or particle board, ½” thick
3 yards hi-loft batting, 22” wide
2 yards plaid silk taffeta, (at least 24” wide)
5 yards grosgrain ribbon, 1” wide
2 yards ball fringe
2/3 yard velvet, (at least 24” wide)
4 cover-your-own buttons, 2” across
thread (color should match ball fringe)
iron-on fusible web (“wonder under”)
tape measure
scissors
staple gun
hot glue gun
sewing needle
iron

1. Cut the batting to wrap around the 4 sides of the cube leaving 3 extra inches on each side. Wrap the cube with the batting and staple the 3-inch overlap to the bottom of the cube. At the top of the cube, staple the 3-inch overlap to the inside of the cube. For the lid, cut two layers of batting (for extra cushioning) leaving 3 extra inches on each side. Staple the 3-inch overlap to the underside of the lid.

2. Cut the plaid fabric 1 inch larger than the batting on each side and wrap around the cube. Save the rest of the plaid fabric to cover the buttons. Fold the side seam under where the two ends overlap. Secure the seam invisibly with fusible web. Staple the plaid fabric to the bottom and inside top of the cube completely covering the batting. For the lid, cut the velvet 1 inch larger than the batting. Wrap around the lid and staple to the underside completely covering the batting.

3. Hot glue the ribbon over the staples and rough edge of fabric on the bottom of the cube. Repeat on the inside top of the cube and the underside of the lid.

4. Cover the buttons with the plaid fabric following the directions on the package. Make four indentations for the buttons on the top of the velvet padded lid using the staple gun. Attach the covered buttons with needle and thread to hide the staples.

5. Embellish by sewing ball fringe around the top of the cube.

Smooth Move: To make smooth corners, fold the fabric like you are wrapping a present.

No-Slip Tip: If the lid doesn’t stay put on the cube, add four cabinet knobs to the underside of the lid to fit into the corners of the cube.

Sew Easy: Use a curved upholstery needle to make easy work of attaching the buttons and the fringe.

Short Cut: To make the lid, get a piece of wood or particle board cut at a home improvement store (usually just 25 cents per cut).

Decorator Do: Choose your plaid fabric first and let it be your palette when you select your velvet, ribbon, and fringe.

Go For Baroque
For a little extra height, try wooden bun feet. Then give them the Midas touch with a shot of gold spray paint. Ooh la la!

For added flair, sew a button to each side of the cube. Hang a long gold tassel from each one, then put your feet up in style.

Why not think outside the box with a round lid? Trim it with fringe, add one large button in the center, and you’ve got a footstool that’s too hip to be square.