How to Bevel a Seat Cushion

Chair with bevel-cut cushions.

Seat cushions need to fit the furniture frame, which often has angles and bevels. You can often see bevels on seat cushions where the transition from the seat to the front of the chair is tapered for aesthetic reasons or to make it easier to stand up from a sitting position. In order to create tapers and bevels, the upholsterer carves the underlying foam into exactly the shape and angle the furniture requires. You can do this at home, almost as easily as the professionals.

Things You'll Need

• 2 metal bars
• Clamps
• Tape measure
• Marker
• Electric carving knife

Instructions

1. Clamp a straight metal bar to the edge of your work table using two clamps; the bar must be longer than the length of foam you will cut.

2. Place your foam on the work table. Align the foam with the metal bar. Measure the height of your foam. For a 45-degree cut, measure from the top front corner of the foam (that is aligned with the metal bar) back that distance on the top of the foam. Mark this point in several places.

3. Place your second metal bar along those marks. It should be parallel to the first metal bar.

4. Cut the foam by using the two metal bars as a guide. Run the electric knife along the foam while it is resting on the two guides and you will have a 45-degree bevel on the cushion.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a protractor to mark other angles on the side of the foam before you set up your second guide. This will allow you to make a bevel at any angle.

References

• New Holland Professional: Upholstery: The Complete Guide to Professional Results; Malcolm Hopkins; pg108