lafonda_ranch: Thanks for the tip about the piping. I ended up ordering 3 yards for the two cushions and the valance tie backs which I'm hoping should do it. I noticed I could not order partial yards and so over estimated since I would be working with stripes. marrilyn: My bedroom set is from JC Pennies. We've been happy with it, though I know some hear on this board have been disappointed with the quality of their furniture. I really like the shallow top drawers in the nightstands and dresser--as it holds lots of odds and ends.

Well. I almost won this time. Baby is due on Sunday. Quilt is about half finished. On my way to by batting, my Bonobo texts me with "She's not gonna be induced anymore. They're on the way to the hospital." FAIL! I ALMOST made it! ALMOST! Maybe if I work really really hard tonight and tomorrow (hah. it's knit night and knit night = good food, good company and good wine)... I can get it done. Pictures soon!

Yes, a muslin cover is important because it will keep the foam protected and in place, and the fabric cover will not get "chaffed" from rubbing on the otherwise exposed foam. I did make a seam down all four sides. Basically the cover looks like a four-sided box with no bottom, except that mine slants in slightly because the top dimension is 36" and the bottom of the ottoman (where it meets the base and legs) is 34". I wanted it to tailor in slightly to prevent it from looking like a large square box. If it had been rectangular in shape, I might have made the sides straight. It's important to make the top piece perfectly square. I also scooted the edge seam slightly on top of the seat, rather than having it sit directly on the edge of the foam. So if you look closely, it appears that the top seam is slighly more toward the top of the ottoman instead of sitting directly on the edge. This way, when you fit it and pull your fabric taut, the seam doesn't move down on the sides. If the top/seat fabric is slightly smaller in size than the actual dimensions of the top, it will keep the foam in place because it's holding the foam in...kinda sorta like a girdle would do. You can probably see how I did it if you look closely at the pics. (I just re-read this and I hope I'm making sense.) When you're fitting the cover on, pin it in place and sew the seams slightly tighter than you think you should. The foam will compress when you put the cover on and even though it may be a tad difficult to fit, it will keep everything compact and tight, which will make your ottoman look nice and smooooth ;^) Let me know if you have any other Q's...anyone else out there who can chime in with some tips and tricks I might have missed? I know joann (of cliff and joann) is a pro and she might have some good ideas.

Wow! Thank you all, thank you all so much for these terrific suggestions. This is what I've done: -This morning after "baby dance" (mommie & me class) my seventeen month-old and I went to the "nicer" fabric stores here in Boulder (one of which is a Bernina store). I got the names of two seamstresses, both recommended by the people working there for my specific project(s). -I called them: one was v. nice and amenable and the other yelled at me for calling her too early in the morning (it was ~11am). She may be a great sewer but the only people I let yell at me are those who also love me! -When we first moved here (this past Spring) a designer I met had given me the name of someone local who could help me with curtains. I had a looooong think and actually remembered her name. I've got to tell you, I am not only astonished that I could recall it, I'm also really proud that this old girl hasn't lost it ... yet. So I called her and it turns out she lives in my neighborhood, so we have a date to get together to go over everything I want. -I'm already set to see examples of the two ladies' work and ask for references, per your suggestions. I am just so excited and grateful to you all for your terrific help! Yippee! Sometime after the new year my boys will have new bedding, etc., and I won't have to figure out how to do it myself. Phew! This is such a wonderful, generous forum, and I cannot thank you all enough.