Make a Channel-Tufted Ottoman

The look of Color Form is a picture in contrasts from hard and soft to playful and sophisticated. Saturated pastels are punctuated with pops of neon. Natural elements are combined with manmade goods for a relaxed, collected feel.

Channel upholstery is also trending and this channel-tufted ottoman will be right at home in your Color Form-inspired space. Choosing a soft fabric in a pastel color (millennial pink is the ideal hue) will make this minimal ottoman a perfect addition to your room. It can function as a footstool, coffee table or bench, depending upon your needs. 

Instructions

Building the Frame

Cut the wood to the required dimensions or have the pieces cut at the home improvement store (image 1).
Stand the pine boards on the thin edge with the 22-1/2" boards inside the 40" boards creating a frame. Lay the third 22-1/2" board on its wide side in the center of the frame. Clamp the frame together and secure the pieces with two 1-1/4" screws on each end on each side in pre-drilled holes. Attach the center board with two screws on both sides in pre-drilled holes (image 2).
Turn the frame over. Lay the particle board or MDF on the frame. Line it up at all of the corners and attach it to the frame with finishing nails (image 3). 

Adding the Foam

Spray the top of the particle board and one side of the foam with adhesive spray. Line the foam up with the particle board and press them firmly together. Allow to bond before proceeding (image 1).
Mark the foam at 5-inch intervals along the top and bottom of the 40-inch side. Make a line from connecting the two dots at 5-inch intervals. There should be 8 marked sections when you are finished. On the 40" sides of the foam make a line 2-1/2" from the top of the foam (image 2).
Use an electric bread knife to cut along the lines and down to the line on the sides of the foam. The cuts should be 2-1/2" deep along the entire length of the lines (image 3).

Covering the Cushion

Cover the foam with batting and use your fingers to press it into the cuts. Use a staple gun to attach the batting to the wood frame, pulling it snugly but not too tight (image 1).
Cut a piece of the fabric 36 inches wide. Lay the fabric over the foam. Attach the fabric to the wood frame with one staple in the middle of one end of the fabric on one of the 24 inch ends. Work the fabric into the first cut on top of the foam. At the cut, pull the fabric tight on both sides and attach to the wood frame with a staple (image 2). 
Continue working the fabric into the cuts, pulling the fabric from the loose end and attaching each side to the wood frame at the cuts (image 3). When all of the sections are done attach the fabric to the opposite end with one staple in the middle of the fabric at the center of the wood frame. Beginning at the ends, pull the fabric tight over the wood frame and attach with staples except for the last 1-1/2 inches on both sides. 
On the sides pull the fabric tight over the wood frame, beginning at the center of each 5-inch section. Work your way outward in both directions for each section. At the end of each section fold in any excess fabric and attach with a staple, slightly overlapping the original staple that you placed at the cut. Complete for each section.
At the ends of the long sides, fold over any excess to the short ends. On the short ends, fold the excess under in the 1-1/2 inch space you left. Attach with staples.
Cut two pieces of fabric 70 inches long and 8 inches wide. Lay the pieces good side to good side and pin one end together. Attach the two ends with a 1/2-inch allowance. Press the seam flat. Lay the piece good side down and place the cording on one long edge. Fold the fabric over the cording and pin with a 3/4 inch allowance. Sew the cording into the fabric with stitches as close to the cording as possible (image 4).
Beginning at one of the short ends of the ottoman, lay the fabric strip with the cording face down and upside down against the covered ottoman base. Place the seam between the two long fabric pieces at the middle of the short end of the base. Place upholstery cardboard tack strip just under the cording. Line the cording up with the top of the wood frame. Attach with a staple to the wood frame (image 5). Continue all the way around on both sides to the opposite short end, placing staples very close together.
On the opposite short end overlap the fabric ends, folding the outside piece of fabric 1/2 inch. Cut the cording as necessary on one end to match up with the cording from the other end (image 6).
Cut long strips of batting to wrap around the wood frame. Fold over the under layer of fabric on the open end and wrap it around the wood frame. Attach it with a staple on the inside of the wood frame (image 7).
Continue wrapping the fabric over the wood frame and batting and attaching with a staple on the inside of the frame (image 8). When you reach the starting point again, wrap the outer piece of fabric over the inner piece of fabric, pulling firmly. Attach with a staple on the inside of the frame to finish. Trim away any excess fabric on the inside of the frame.

Adding the Legs

Attach the mounting plates to the four corners of the bottom of the frame. Stain and/or seal legs as desired. Attach legs to the mounting plates.