How to Make a Children's Futon
Futons are simple-to-care-for sleeping and sitting arrangements. According to Futons.net, "Futons gained popularity in the U.S. in the 1970s" and are based on a Japanese mattress known as a "shikibuton." Make a simple child's futon from foam and two fleece throws. Sew in Velcro strips, and the cover is quickly removed and washable. You can make a children's frameless futon in an afternoon with minimal sewing machine skills.
Things You'll Need
- 2 pieces of 27-inch-long, 38-inch-wide, 4-inch-deep sponge or foam
- 2 fleece rectangles or throws (60 inches long by 44 inches wide)
- Velcro (sew-in kind)
- Sewing machine
- Thread
- Straight pins
- Scissors
- Tape measure
Instructions
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1
Place the two rectangles of fleece together with the right sides of the fabric touching, and pin the edges to form a 2-inch seam.
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2
Sew, using a straight stitch on the sewing machine and a 1-inch seam allowance, one end and two sides, leaving whichever end you choose to be the "bottom end" open. This is where the sponge will be inserted. Remove the pins.
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3
Sew together, using a zigzag stitch on the sewing machine, the edges of the previously sewn seams so that no raw edges are exposed. This is for seam reinforcement.
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4
Fold the edges of the open ends up 1 inch against the wrong side of the fabric, and pin.
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5
Sew, using a straight stitch on the sewing machine and 1/2-inch seam allowance, the pinned edges of the open end. This is where the Velcro will go for the futon opening.
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6
Measure a 40-inch-long, two-part strip of sewable Velcro and cut it. Pin the strips to each of the open hemmed ends.
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7
Sew the Velcro strips to the hemmed ends using a zigzag stitch around all of the edges of each strip of Velcro, to ensure that the Velcro is not yanked off by children or when you remove the cover for washing. Sew all four sides/ends of each piece of Velcro again for reinforcement. Remove the pins.
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8
Reach inside of the fleece cover and grasp the inside edge, pulling it right side out through the opening.
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9
Slip one piece of sponge or foam inside, and then slip the other piece of foam inside next to it, leaving a bit of loose material in the center. Close the Velcro strips.
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10
Lay futon flat for sleeping, and fold the top half of the futon mattress up and position it against a wall for sitting.
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Tips & Warnings
Cardboard cut to size can be inserted under the sponge on the backside to provide more stability for use as a couch, if desired.
