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How to Make a Foam Wedge Support Pillow

Deborah H. Schreiben

Foam wedge support pillows provide a boost for people who, for health reasons, need elevation above the waist while sleeping. It can also be leaned on while reading or relaxing in bed. Wedge pillows also are perfect for elevating the feet above heart level while lying down.

Wedge pillow diagram

While low foam wedge support pillows are readily available in stores, pillows with higher wedges are not as easy to find. By purchasing upholstery foam, you can make custom pillows to suit your needs.

  1. Using an electric knife, cut a 24-by-24-inch square of upholstery foam of the desired thickness.

  2. Draw a diagonal line from bottom corner to top corner, creating a triangle, on both sides of the pillow.

  3. Insert electric knife at either corner on one side and begin slicing, being sure to keep knife blade level. Turn foam around and cut into the other side.

  4. Beginning at point B, gently pull and slice through the middle section where the knife blade did not reach, working your way in a straight line down to point A.

  5. Trace the bottom, top, two sides and back onto cotton or flannel fabric, leaving a ½-inch seam allowance around each piece.

  6. Sew the pieces together in the shape of the pillow, leaving back flap open at the bottom and sides. Turn under and sew raw edges on flap.

  7. Insert foam pillow into cover through back flap.

  8. Tip

    If you cannot find a very thick single piece of foam, stack one or more pieces of thinner foam and hand sew around the edges to keep the pieces together. Many fabric stores carry foam in a variety of widths. Also search online for "upholstery foam."