Tips & Tricks for Working With Foam

I have to admit, I used to seriously dislike working with upholstery foam when I worked in a fabric store.  It can be messy to cut, smells really bad when you first open the bag and is awkward to handle.

But it doesn’t have to be all that bad – there are a few things you can do to make handling foam a whole lot easier!

So if foam is challenging, why even use it?

First of all, it’s a must if you’re re-upholstering almost anything.  Foam will give you cushioning and support that batting just can’t match.  And let’s face it – it’s so much cheaper to re-upholster something yourself, rather than having it custom made.

• Put down the scissors!  Unless you’re working with half-inch thick foam, scissors are pretty much useless.  The best tool I’ve come across for working with foam is a brand-new, very sharp razor blade.  I like to use an Xacto-style knife so I can have the blade extended as much as possible.  Some people like to use an electric knife to cut foam, but I have to admit, I’ve never tried it.  Serrated blades tend to make a mess, with little foam crumbles everywhere.
• Using a straight edge, mark your line with a permanent marker and then cut it.
• Don’t press the ruler into the foam, just hold it lightly enough so it won’t slide around.  This is another great use for a gridded quilting ruler.  That way you can ensure that you’re making a nice, even cut.
• If the foam has been freshly unwrapped and smells, just air it out for a couple of days first.  I find that the smell dissipates quickly.

image: Stock.xchg