What Is Stockinette — and Why Every Upholsterer Should Use It

When it comes to upholstery, the smallest details make the biggest difference. One of those unsung heroes is stockinette — the soft, tubular knit sleeve that wraps around your foam cushions. Whether you’re ordering foam cut to size or buying stockinette by the metre for your own projects, understanding how it’s fitted and why it matters can make all the difference to how your cushions perform over time.

⚙️ How Stockinette Is Fitted at Foam4U

When you order foam cut to size from Foam4U, the stockinette fitting process is handled by our dedicated machinery — designed to give every cushion a clean, even finish.

Here’s how it works:

The foam piece is fed through the stockinette machine, where the jaws hold a hank (roll) of tubular stockinette.
As the foam passes through, the stockinette is drawn over it, wrapping the entire block in one continuous motion.
Because the process is semi-continuous, one end of the stockinette is already heat-sealed from the previous cut.
Once the foam exits the opposite side, the operator trims and heat-seals the unfinished end, ensuring both ends are sealed neatly.

This method gives you a consistent, professional finish — protecting the foam, making the cushion easier to fit into its cover, and helping it hold its shape for years.

🔥 Why Heat-Sealing Matters

Heat-sealing is more than a neat edge; it’s a safeguard. It stops the stockinette from fraying, keeps it taut, and prevents the raw edge from snagging inside tight cushion covers.
If a cushion is too large to fit through our heat-seal machine, it’s hand-finished by our upholstery team using a reinforced method that ensures the same performance.

🧰 When You’re Buying Stockinette by the Metre

For customers who prefer to buy stockinette by the metre, it’s important to know that this version is not suitable for heat-sealing. The tubular knit doesn’t melt evenly — it just curls or scorches. Instead, here are three tried-and-tested ways to finish your ends properly:

1️⃣ Glue the Unfinished End to the Foam

Apply a small amount of upholstery adhesive and press the fabric flat onto the foam block.

Use sparingly to avoid stiff spots.
Quick, simple, and ideal for DIY projects.

2️⃣ Tuck the End into a Slit in the Foam

Cut a shallow slit (10–15 mm deep) into the foam edge, then tuck the loose end of stockinette neatly inside.

The foam’s tension holds it in place.
Gives a tidy, professional finish with no exposed edge.

3️⃣ Machine Sew the Ends

Use a wide zig-zag or overlock stitch to close the end.

Fold the edge under before sewing for strength.
Best for long cushions and bench seating where durability matters.

💡 Pro Tip: If you’re using Dacron wrap, always apply it first — then slide the stockinette over the top. This prevents snagging and gives a smooth, rounded finish.

🪡 Why Every Cushion Should Have Stockinette

Stockinette isn’t just about looks. It improves fit, comfort, and longevity — all in one simple layer.

Easier fitting: Helps the foam slide smoothly into the cover.
Shape retention: Reduces drag between the cover and foam, so seams don’t pull or distort.
Foam protection: Keeps the foam surface clean and intact.
Professional finish: The mark of a properly made cushion.

Without stockinette, the cover and foam rub directly against each other. Over time, the front seam naturally pulls backward — deforming the foam and making the cushion look tired long before its time. With stockinette, friction is reduced so when you stand up, the cover returns neatly to its original position.

⚠️ Handling & Care Advice

Stockinette is a soft, open-knit material — and it deserves a bit of care:

Avoid rough handling or dragging on sharp edges.
Small snags or ladders are purely cosmetic and won’t affect performance.
Larger cushions that exceed our heat-seal machine size are hand-finished — so you may notice two types of stockinette used; both perform identically.

If in doubt, speak to our team before ordering — we’ll advise the best approach for your project.