Making Cushions for a Futon Frame

Mattress Filling

• 1

  Lay the futon frame flat. Measure the dimensions of the frame to determine what size foam to purchase.

• 2

  Purchase the foam of your choice, matching the dimensions of the frame. Foam appropriate for a mattress comes in many options: latex, foam rubber and memory foam. Latex is a natural product, so it tends to be preferred by environmentally-conscious people. Latex is also very expensive, especially 100 percent natural latex. Memory foam is known for its comfort and affordability, but some people complain that memory foam absorbs heat and becomes hot when slept on. Others complain that memory foam has a smell, which usually goes away with time. Foam rubber varies in price and quality -- some firmer and more expensive types of foam rubber can last for 20 years, while less expensive foam rubber tends to become compressed and less comfortable more quickly.

• 3

  Test your foam mattress. Lay and sit on it. If you plan to sleep on the mattress and the mattress is not quite comfortable enough, purchase a mattress pad for the top of the mattress.

Mattress Cover

• 4

  Purchase two lengths of heavy cloth to fit over the mattress. Choose a pattern or solid color that matches the decor and color scheme of the room. Remember that pattern will be more difficult to work with because you'll want to match up the edges of the patterns from one side of the mattress to the other. To determine the size of the heavy cloth, start with the width and height of the mattress. To these dimensions, add the thickness of the mattress, in order to accommodate for the area where the cloth will cover the sides of the mattress. Finally, add another 2 inches to these dimensions to accommodate the seams.

• 5

  Lay the two pieces of cloth on top of each other with the wrong side facing in.

• 6

  Sew a 1-inch seam on three sides of the cover, then turn it inside out.

• 7

  Slip the cover over the mattress, then sew the last side closed.