How to make a 1/3 scale mattress?

the glueing the sponges would probably work fine.

depending on how firm you want it and how down youd be for sewing, could always check out discounted throw pillows to get the fluff and fabric to fill/make the mattress.

another thought, using a cardboard box cut to size could be an option also. then wrap it in quilting fluff or some other type of fluff to give it that soft look before covering it in fabric could help save on costs for something so big.

 

Is there an upholsterer's shop near your place? When we built our 1/3 scale bed, I went to such a shop. They also make cushions and suchlike for people. They have the equipment to cut foam of different qualities in any shape you like. When I explained my project to them, they cut a perfect mattress for the bed and then gave me lots of cut offs and remains which I used to stuff cushions and even a duvet with, they liked the idea that much

 

I’d recommend cutting and layering high density insulation foam (like this: https://www.amazon.com/Pink-Insulat...BXHXY8G/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=B08BXHXY8G&psc=1). Once you figure out the dimensions you’d need for a mattress, cut the foam to fit, and cover in fabric. This type of foam is often used for prop making and modeling, like this tutorial:

it’s fairly rigid, but luckily dolls won’t care.

 

I wouldn't use foam. Not unless it's very very easily squished, otherwise it won't squish under the weight of your doll like a full-sized mattress would squish under a human.

For the mattresses I'm in tending to make for my doll SD sized beds, I'm thinking of doing a very thin layer of foam (or possibly quilting batting) either side of a shaped inner mattress bag of beanbag filling.

for some of them, I'll use a down/feather filling.

For me, nothing makes a doll-scale bed look less-than-realistic like it being unyielding when a doll is put on it. I want it to dimple under the elbow if the dol is propped up on one elbow, I want it to sag under the doll's bum when they sit on the edge of the bed... etc.

Teddy

 

I have used foam before but then again I sleep on very firm mattresses so it looks right to me! But that's a good point if it would bother you.
My local JoAnn's fabrics always have a section for foam for upholstery and I just try to reference the scale of dol before I go shopping and take some measurements to consider. I feel like around 2 inches thick is modern spring mattress appropriate for a 1/3 scale doll for example. Futon style mattresses would be a bit thinner.
It's not the most fun but you can cut the thick foams with a box cutter, it can just be a bit painstaking as the foam can be much thicker than the blade. If you are covering your foam with a sheet for display the cut can have some imperfections though.
I feel like if you wanted to make an extremely accurate looking mattress to display bare it's more of a sewn construction and quilting for the top and you could probably stuff it very firm with regular fiber fill.

 

You could try a sponge sheet? You'll probably have to cut them down to size though.

 

Oh, there's foam in a bazillion qualities. Even in human mattresses you can find almost any firmness (or squishiness) you like. The foam they used for my mattress is exactly right for dolls of weighing, say, around 2kg.

 

Undoubtedly, but how easy to get hold of is it? Not just in your location, but other towns or other countries (I run into this issue all the time, somebody says, online, "Oh such-and-such is available all over the place. Just go to the hardware store..."... etc. Only I find that the local equivalent in my own country isn't nearly as readily availble, and/or is a different formula/composition/texture or whatever, making it less than ideal for the purpose I want or need it for. In some instances, there simply isn't a local equivalent - like rubbing-alcohol, for example. Nobody in any UK Pharmacy I asked in had ever heard of it outside of mentions in American films and TV shows. I still don't know what it is, or what it's usually sold for, or why it gets recommended for wiping faceups).

And how do you tell how squishy (or not)the foam is before buying, if you have to shop online?

Teddy

 

@Teddy You're right, we all live in different countries and what's available here isn't necessarily available there. But I don't think people can remedy that... global online shopping has evened things out a lot, but if you need to touch something first before knowing if it's right it's no help. (You could try to ask sellers about such things first though.)

If you read my first reply as well you see I went to a shop specialising in upholstery and foams used for furniture. I live in a rural area with only small towns, but there is such a shop here because there are always people who want things custommade for their house and not just buy ready made. That could be the case in many countries, maybe check? They let me try out different things and recommended a quality of foam I could use.

 

I second going to a shop that sells foam matresses, boat and car pillows and furniture upholstery foam. They can cut the foam matress to size for you, and have a wide selection of different density foam. I have done this a lot when I need to make matresses and pillows for a special design.

@Teddy I did a quick search for foam matress cut to size in the UK, and it does seem like you have shops like these as well, Foam cut to size, suppliers of upholstery foam,replacement foam cushions , memory foam, foam mattresses - The Foam Shop seems to have a good selection. I am sure you could find a place local to you as well.
And if you cannot physically go to the store, you could always ask for samples.

As for rubbing alcohol, it is called surgical spirit and is either isopropyl alcohol or ethyl alcohol that has been mixed with water. I usually get it at the pharmacy here in Norway and it is used for disinfecting things and cleaning electronics. You can get it at stores that sell electronics and car parts as well. It is recommended for cleaning faceups because it dissolves the paint and is gentler than a lot of other solvents that might react with the resin.

 

That's very kind of you but I wasn't asking for me specifically.

I was asking, in general, for anyone who might be in a different loacation.... You know, just to remind helpful folks posting tips and suggestions that their "easy" may not be such an easy option elsewhere.

One of the pharmacists I spoke to suggested that it might be Surgical Spirit but, apparenlty, the alcohol to water ratio that's available in the UK is too low to help much in wiping faceups. I gave it a try but it's pretty wimpy at emoving the layers. I've never seen or heard of it beiing available in electronics or car part outlets though.

Teddy

 

Oh, I know, I just thought it must surely be available in the UK as we even have mattress stores here in Norway.

I also find that surgical spirit is a slow process for removing faceups. I do think it comes in different strenghts though.

 

I've built a couple of beds in both SD and MSD scale and essentially, there's two ways I've gone about this. Either you find a suitable cushion in the size required (something like this), or you make your own traditional buttoned mattress and stuff it with scraps. Basically, sew a big rectangle with a couple of inches of depth, stuff it to your desired firm or softness, and button it as you would with a standard human scale one. (it's called "button tufting" and you can find how to video's on youtube.) Generally speaking that worked for me, but it is labour intensive making your own, even if you do end up with what amounts to floor pillows when done!

Isopropyl alcohol is available on Amazon and ebay in the UK for very little money (a litre is about £8.50 shipped), I use 99% and it strips a face clean off in under 20 minutes with a magic sponge which causes no damage whatsoever to resin. Honestly don't know what other people use, but I'm definitely not going back to scrubbing for hours with nail polish remover that stains and leaves a residue now!

 

I second using feathers for doll mattresses!
It doesn't have to be top quality fine down or anything like that, the stuff you can find in relatively cheap feather pillows works just fine. It's firm onough to let a sqare matress hold it's shape, but it can be pressed down and almost sculped into the right shape under the doll without springing back. It also holds up very well over time.
The only negative is that it's a bit messy to work with (it can get everywhere it you aren't careful and a bit organized when stuffing) and you do want double layers when making the matress, one inner layer that is tightly woven to hold the feathers (and short stitches) and an outer layer to get the right look (and provide an extra safety f a feather or two escapes the inner layer).

 

I would suggest you search for "foam matress cut to size" in your local area, you would be surprised by what sort of businesses are located in small towns around the world.
Contact the one closest to you, or one with a wide selection and ask for samples. For a doll mattress I would think you need a soft, extra soft or maybe medium density.