Measure, Mark and Cut. Fold the canvas or home-decor fabric in half with the right sides together. Measure and mark the following as shown on page 202, then cut through both layers of fabric:

Cut from the canvas or home-decor fabric: — top panel (cut 1 on the fold): 8× 16 — side panel (cut 4): 18× 16

Cut from the contrasting fabric: — appliqué: 16" square

Prepare the applique square with cutouts. Following the manufacturer’s instructions, fuse the paper-backed fusible web to the wrong side of the appliqué fabric. Trace the petal template onto the paper backing in the design that appeals to you. We traced 10 petals in a circular pattern. With a craft knife, cut out the petals along the guidelines. Save the square of fabric, not the cut outs.

Attache the applique square. Lay out the top ottoman panel with the right side up. Remove the paper backing from the appliqué square and center it on the top panel. Fuse the appliqué square in place, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Straight stitch 1/8outside the edge of each cutout on the appliqué square, allowing the raw edges to remain exposed. Baste around the perimeter of the square, 1/4 from the raw edge.

Assemble the cover. With the right sides together, pin one side of the top panel to a 16-long side of one side panel and stitch with a 1/2 seam. Repeat to attach the remaining side panels to each of the top panel’s edges. With the right sides together, stitch the side panels with 1/2seams (start by stitching at the top panel seam). Trim the corners and press the seams open. Press the bottom edge of all the joined side panels 1/2 to the wrong side. Then, press another 1" to the wrong side to make a double-fold hem. Straight stitch the hem in place. Turn the cover right side out and slip it over the ottoman.

Excerpted from Improv Sewing (c) by Nicole Blum and Debra Immergut, photography (c) by Alexandra Grablewski, illustrations (c) by Ryan McMenamy, used with permission from Storey Publishing.