PatternReview.com online sewing community
Online Sewing Class: Fit the Tee to a T
Register Today!
Join our community of 579,279 sewists!
SIGNUP Membership is free and includes 1 free lesson
Login |
Join our community of 579,279 sewists!
Signup | Login
To participate in the PatternReview.com forums please Login or Join PatternReview
12 
Member since 11/17/05
Posts: 600
Body Type:
Send Message
Posted on: 9/25/07 10:27 AM ET
I am recovering my dining room chairs which are trapezoidal with notches in the back. My local upholstery shops charge about $50 each for custom cut foam. What is the best way to cut the foam myself? DH has suggested hot wire, but that sounds like a great way to create noxious fumes?
------
Singer Featherweight, Bernina 1630, Bernina L890, Bernina 770QE, Bernina Q20
  
Member since 1/15/07
Posts: 20
Send Message
Posted on: 9/25/07 10:36 AM ET
In reply to sailor girl
A great way to cut foam is an electric bread knife if you can lay your hands on one.
  
Member since 8/24/02
Posts: 6374
Body Type:
Send Message
Posted on: 9/25/07 10:36 AM ET
In reply to sailor girl
Depending on the foam you may be able to use an electric knife. One local place uses something like a reciprocating or jig saw.
------
Living life to the fullest.

Who knew being a Granny was the best thing ever?
  
Member since 8/3/02
Posts: 345
Send Message
Posted on: 9/25/07 10:49 AM ET
In reply to sailor girl
Electric bread knife - exactly what I was going to suggest. If you don't have an electric one a regular serrated bread knife will work also. The electric one just makes the task easier.

BTW - what is the name of your local upholstery shop? I'm in MN also and am curious where you purchase your foam.
------
Sharon Sews on YouTube
  
Member since 11/17/05
Posts: 600
Body Type:
Send Message
Posted on: 9/25/07 11:03 AM ET
In reply to Sharon M
I can't remember the name-it is in Roseville next to Taste of Scandinavia. I am planning to shop around for better "bulk" pricing.
------
Singer Featherweight, Bernina 1630, Bernina L890, Bernina 770QE, Bernina Q20
  
Member since 4/8/02
Posts: 5095
Send Message
Posted on: 9/25/07 11:09 AM ET
Another vote for an electric knife!! You can get them pretty reasonably at Bed, Bath & Beyond!! (especially if you use a 20% coupon)
------
www.thereisjoyadventures.blogspot.com
  
Member since 2/17/03
Posts: 1709
Send Message
Posted on: 9/25/07 11:44 AM ET
Electric knife, for sure. I picked mine up in a thrift shop for a couple of dollars. It seems as though nobody wants to use them anymore for food anymore and there were quite a few available.
------
What is Maxine saying??
"I don't iron. If I'm not wrinkle-free why should my clothes be."
  
Member since 7/2/04
Posts: 1725
Send Message
Posted on: 9/25/07 1:54 PM ET
They frequently turn up at yard sales and especially estate sales, too. Much more useful for foam than it ever was on food.
------
Mary Lynn (Who's finally sitting up and taking nourishment)

Design Degree??? I prefer my artistic license

"A woman who works with her hands is a laborer; a woman who works with her hands and her mind is a craftsman; but a woman who works with her hands and her brain and her heart is an artist." (St. Thomas Aquinas, modified)

  
Member since 8/3/02
Posts: 345
Send Message
Posted on: 9/25/07 7:21 PM ET
In reply to Mary Stiefer
Oooo, I never thought of checking at a thrift store for an electric one. Thanks for the tip!
------
Sharon Sews on YouTube
  
Member since 3/9/07
Posts: 1481
Send Message
Posted on: 9/25/07 7:35 PM ET
In reply to MaryLynn in Long Beach
Quote: marylynn
Much more useful for foam than it ever was on food.

Isn't that the truth, marylynn? BTW, sailor girl, electric knives are very serious weapons. When cutting your foam, don't cut towards yourself and when excising the notches on your chair seat, don't use your fingers to stabilize the foam around the notch cuts. Use a point turner with scissor-like handles (if you have one) or something long and strong like a knitting needle. Be careful cutting in those tight corners.

--Lily
------
Lily
  
12 
* Advertising and soliciting is strictly prohibited on PatternReview.com. If you find a post which is not in agreement with our Terms and Conditions, please click on the Report Post button to report it.
Selected Reviews, Classes & Patterns
Fancy Frocks Fabrics
Fine Designer Fabrics
Elliott Berman Textiles
High-end Fashion Fabrics
Specials!
Nature's Fabrics
Natural & Organic Fabrics
Specials!