I have a leather couch whose middle cushion has some how become turned into a ball shape inside the leather casing. The couch is stitched everywhere so getting to it will not be easy. I heard heat can help with reshaping foam and I tried that with a heated bean bag but I am afraid to damage the leather. Does anyone have any ideas for me other than opening it up and replacing the foam?

Gina, November 2007

I cant see this happening to a foam cushion.I would guess that it is filled with something else,possibly feather or fibre.Foam cushions are normally cut to the size of the cushion casing in one piece unless you have foam chippings inside.The only answer is to undo the back seam to see what is happening.Most cushions have a zip at the back and very few sofas and chairs are simply stitched all the way round these days.You can try shaking the cushion to see if any of the filling moves.

John Howden, December 2007