How to Make a Five-Gallon Bucket Fabric Seat Cover

Wash and rinse the bucket and lid very thoroughly, then allow to air dry. Make sure that the lid fits on to the bucket securely, and that there are no sharp edges sticking out.

Measure across the lid of the bucket and add three inches. This will be the measurement for the circle that you cut from the fabric. Draw a circle on the back side of the fabric that has this diameter, and cut it out. Alternately, you can lay the lid on the fabric and use it as a pattern, making sure to cut 1 1/2 inches away from the lid edge.

If you are using a pillow form, place it on the bucket lid and cut around so your fabric piece fits completely and reaches inside the rim on the lid. If you are using fiberfill stuffing, remove half the bag of stuffing from the package and pile it onto the lid of the bucket.

Center the fabric circle over the stuffing or pillow form. Use the hot glue gun to tack down the fabric at one point on the bucket lid edge. Then glue down one spot on the opposite side of the lid. Glue down points in between these two points. Glue down at four points equidistant from one another (four points of a compass).

Work your way around the lid, gluing down the fabric circle. Ease in the fabric, creating folds if needed. Make sure that the fabric is glued down completely around the entire bucket lid.

Use ribbon, braid or any other trim that you like to cover the edge where you have glued the fabric. This will create a more finished look on your seat. Allow the glue to cool and dry, and your seats are ready to use.