How can I make my own futon mattress?

Question

I'm doing an A-level in Product Design and I am in the process of making a futon. The only thing is I have to make my own mattress and I'm not sure how to do it? Please help!!!!!!!!

Answer 1

The easiest way to do it is to purchase an appropriate sized foam block and make a cover for it. The cover can be as simple as a very large pillowcase with a couple of buttons to secure the open end. Make sure your foam is firm enough to make the futon comfortable to sit in, but not so dense that it won't fold properly in the frame.

If you can't afford to purchase a foam block (I have no idea what it will cost you) you can always deconstruct an old piece of furniture that someone is throwing away.

I recently deconstructed an old country style sofa and used the bottom part of the frame and the foam from the cushions and back to make a chaise for my den. If you need more information on deconstructing furniture, drop me an email and I'll do what I can for you.

Good Luck!

Answer 2

Take it to the cleaners and discuss it with a professional. My cleaners is enormously helpful and very knowledgeable about such things, I bet one in your town is too. Once it's clean, spray some Dogzoff or a similar repellant at the entrance to the room and in the immediate area of the futon. Citronella extract also drives animals away from the thing it's sprayed on.

Answer 3

The best thing you can do is buy a block of foam. Make sure it is comfy to sit and sleep on. if its too stiff to fold, cut the foam into 2 or 3 smaller blocks, cover each block seperately, and then stitch the blocks together so that they fold like a paper fan. Drop me an email if you need more help.

Answer 4

Here's a great link to instructions for a layered memory foam mattress (cost about $450, but easy to see where you could save by buying more economy materials):

http://thenobot.org/stories/?i=112

Answer 5

foam mattress research links
http://mattress.talkspot.com/aspx/templates/blank.aspx?msgid=0

Answer 6

Don't try to be too close to the original ones, just throw a bale of straw down and spread it round a bit. If you can affiord it, use hay, it smells better......................