| Leather Ottoman |
From "Ask DIY"
episode ADI-302 |
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Q: I just moved into a really small apartment. Can you offer any help for furnishing my new space? A: (from Nancy Golden, Ask DIY Decorating & Design Expert): I've got a project you're going to love: a fabulous leather ottoman you can make yourself! Materials: 3/4" sheet of plywood, cut to desired dimensions
Wooden blocks (to be used as caster supports)
Pre-cut foam sheets, fastened together to create desired thickness (18" overall height recommended)
Large cut / hyde of aniline-dyed (dye-saturated) leather in the desired color
Large cut of batting
Drill
Screws
Hammer
Scissors
Staple gun - To get started, first decide what size and shape you want your ottoman; the one featured here is triangular (figure A). Then, use a jigsaw or circular saw to cut the plywood to those dimensions (figure B).
(Important: If you're not accustomed to working with a saw, have someone cut the plywood for you; you may want to provide them with a paper template to work with.) - Next, you'll need to attach 2"x2" wood blocks (figure C) to the underside of the plywood to provide support for the casters. Here Golden positions one block in each corner, making sure that the edges of the blocks don't protrude before she drills through the plywood sheet (two screws per block) to secure them in place (figure D).
Reminder: Always wear safety glasses when working with a drill. - Once all three blocks are attached, Golden turns the board over (figure E ) and drills a large hole into the center of each block. Each hole will accommodate a "sleeve" piece of the caster (see piece on right in figure F) to be inserted into the blocks. When the actual casters are slipped into the secured sleeves, the sleeves' grip action will hold them firmly in place.)
(Important: Do not place the casters in the sleeves before the securing the sleeves in the blocks. Once they're in, they're in!) - After drilling a hole in each block, the next step is to hammer a sleeve into each of the three holes. Simply push the closed end of the sleeve into the hole, then firmly hammer it down (figure G) so that it's flush with the top of the block.
- For the cover of the ottoman, Golden suggests purchasing aniline-dyed leather (figure H), which means that the pigment goes all the way though the material (sometimes referred to as dye-saturated leather). This will prevent small scuffs and scratches from showing up as a result of the "under color" showing through. Golden says a large hyde of good-quality leather can usually be purchased for under $100.
- Once you've selected your leather, you'll need to visit an upholstery shop to have several sheets of thick foam cut to the same shape as your plywood base. Have the upholsterer layer and fasten the right number of identically-cut sheets together to achieve the desired height of the ottoman (generally about 18 inches). You'll also need to have the foam laminated for durability.
- At this point, you're ready to lay out your leather. Place it on your work surface (smooth side down) and lay a large piece of batting over it. Then cut away the corners of the batting (figure I). This will prevent bunching when the leather is gathered and secured to the corners of the plywood base.
- Place the stacked foam on the batting, making sure it's centered (figure J ). Lay your plywood base on top of the foam so the edges align and draw the sides of the leather upward, smoothing firmly (but not too tightly) it as you pull upward. Make a neat pleat on one side of a corner (figure K), then hold it in place and carefully use your staple gun to secure the leather to the base. Once the first pleat is secured, create a duplicate pleat on the other side of the corner (figure L) and secure it in the same fashion.
- Now you're ready to pull the fabric smooth along the sides. Simply draw it upward toward the plywood base, and staple it along the edges as you go. Fold and secure the leather around remaining corners in the same fashion as the first.
- Finally, insert the casters into the sleeves in the wooden blocks, flip the ottoman upright and put up your feet for awhile!
RESOURCES :
ITT Technical Institute
Special thanks to the ITT Technical Institute for providing the personnel for the Ask DIY Web site video.
ITT Technical Institute
Website: www.itt-tech.edu/
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