How to Make a Wedge for a Bed

Dense upholster foam stands up to the weight of the body.

Make a foam wedge for a bed to add support and comfort while sitting or sleeping in a semi-upright position. A homemade wedge pillow can be sized to the measurements of the bed for a custom fit. A wedge made from quality upholstery foam and covered with a durable fabric will keep its form for years of regular use. Find new relaxing resting positions by adjusting the location of the new wedge on the bed.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Upholster foam
• Ruler
• Permanent marker
• Electric carving knife
• Durable fabric
• Tailor's chalk
• Scissors
• Needle
• Thread

Instructions

1. Measure the width of the bed from side to side. Locate a piece of upholstery foam that is 2 feet high, 2 feet wide and as long as the bed is wide. Upholstery foam can be ordered online or found in furniture specialty stores.

2. Place the long foam block on the bed and draw a straight line from the top right corner to the bottom left corner on one of the square ends at the side of the bed. Draw a straight line from the top left corner to the bottom right corner on the foam from the other side of the bed. Use a permanent marker to draw the line and a ruler to keep the line straight.

3. Remove the foam block from the bed before cutting into it to remove all the material above the marked line from both sides. Lift the foam up off the blade as you cut to allow it to slice through more easily. Cutting carefully as you move across the length of the foam will leave you with two nearly identical foam wedges.

4. Lay a foam wedge on a large piece of durable fabric and use tailor's chalk to make an outline of each side of the wedge that is half an inch larger on all sides. This extra size allows for a seam and makes it easier to remove and replace the cover when washing.

5. Cut the sections of cloth to cover each side of the wedge and sew them together leaving one of the long seams in the back unsewn. Pressure from the foam pushing out on the form-fitting cover keeps it in place even though one of the seams is open.

6. Turn the cover inside out so the seams are hidden on the inside and slip the wedge in through the open seam in the back. Compress the wedge and align the seams so they run along the corners of the foam.

Tips & Warnings

• Add strips of Velcro to the open seam if you want to seal the cover onto the wedge completely.

References

• Upholstery-supplies-guide.com: Looking for an Inexpensive Foam Cutter ?

Resources

• Foam N' More Inc.: Sofa Cushion Replacement