Sew an upholstered pouf ottoman with our easy tutorial for a charming—and affordable—home accessory.
Project Overview
• Working Time: 2 hours
• Total Time: 2 hours
• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Estimated Cost: $50
Poufs are an ideal combination of style and function, so it’s not surprising they’re ideal for living rooms and bedrooms. Circular floor pillows are alternate seating in tiny rooms, a tabletop, a nice footrest, or simply as decorative accents. You can create your own DIY pouf for under $50 following our guide. Use whatever fabric you like—decorator-weight or heavy-duty fabrics work best. Printable pattern sheets simplify cutting, and our technique of filling keeps fiberfill costs low.
What You’ll Need
Equipment / Tools
Scissors
Straight pins
Sewing machine
Large embroidery or straight upholstery needle
Materials
Pattern printouts
Tape
3 yards of 45″–wide fabric
1 spool (125 yds) heavy-duty/upholstery thread
2 large garbage bags of fabric items (for stuffing, e.g. worn towels, scraps)
1 (5‑lb) box of fiberfill
1 roll fusible‑web tape
4 skeins embroidery floss (matching or contrasting fabric)
How to Make a DIY Pouf
With little sewing experience, you’ll complete this budget-friendly project in about two hours. Follow these steps:
Prep the Patterns
Print and download our free templates. Cut out paper shapes and glue them together—it has to be a rectangle with triangles on either side. Glue the endcap pattern together as well.
Cut Fabric Pieces
Pin paper pattern on fabric and cut eight coordinating pieces. Double layers, cut eight each. For top and bottom octagon pieces, fold fabric in half, lay endcap pattern on fold, and cut two octagons.
Pin Side Panels
Match side pieces, right sides together, and pin one edge. Repeat to make four sets.
Sew Side Panels
Stitch together each pinned side with ½″ seam allowance, removing pins as you sew, to create four pairs of panels.
Press Inner Seams
Press seams flat, opening seams so fabric lies evenly on both sides.
Join Side Panels
Match two sets together (right sides together) and sew along one edge. Repeat for the remaining sets. Now you have two pouf halves. Turn one right side out and leave the other inside out.
Join Pouf Halves
Insert one half into the other with right sides together. Pin carefully, seams matching. Leave a 10″ opening by marking 5″ in from each side of a seam for stuffing.
Stitch the Shape
Stitch along the outside edge to the 5″ marks. Join the ends by sewing over the seam allowance.
Fill the Pouf
Turn the pouf right side out. Stuff heavy fabrics (towels) into the center bottom, and lighter scraps on the sides. A wooden spoon comes in handy. Alternate layers—heavy in the center, lighter on the outside—for shape and support.
Add Fiberfill
When two-thirds done, add fiberfill down the sides and top for added shape and comfort. Mixing fiberfill with scrap fabric is thrifty and gives structure.
Close the Opening
Hand-stitch the opening closed with upholstery thread and a needle. The octagon top will hide this seam.
Prepare Octagon Panels
Prevent fraying by ironing fusible-web tape ½″ inside all edges of both octagon pieces, according to the package instructions.
Attach Top/Bottom Panels
Fasten the top octagon to the pouf, corners with seams. Baste 1″ from the edge. Repeat on bottom panel.
Decorative Stitching
Optional but lovely—give seams a chain stitch in plain manner with 2-ply embroidery floss. Test on scrap, then apply embellishments to all seams and edges of both octagons.
Finish Details
Once stitching is done, remove basting threads from octagon edges. Place your finished pouf in your living room—or make a pair to tuck under console tables or beside a fireplace for stylish extra seating.
