A New bed for a very small camper van

After camping in a very small camper van for over 4 years a few things needed updating. This is the first in a series of videos covering all the recent changes I made this spring and summer.
I decided, when first setting up the minivan as a camper to use a shikibuton futon as our bed. I was leery of buying a memory foam mattress because I was worried they would be hot and sweaty to sleep on in the summer so I opted for the natural fibres of the Shikibuton futon.
After 3-4 years and a few stiff backs I felt it was time to improve the comfort and versatility of our bed.
I repurposed a foam IKEA mattress that we had around the house to make a set of fitted cushions that would form the bed but also be used to transform into a couch.
I take you through all the steps in transforming the old mattress into the new bed.
For more detailed instructions on making box cushions or any other kind of upholstery sewing I recommend you check out the KZbin channel of Sailrite:
/ sailritediy
They have over 10 years worth of beautifully done videos of all sorts of projects! A very generous resource!
(I am jealous but also taking notes!)
Welcome to a very small camper van, my channel all about my very small camper van - a minivan being transformed into a diy camper. #vanlife #minivancamper
Please take a moment to subscribe:
/ @averysmallcampervan
And visit my channel for more van build videos: / @averysmallcampervan

[@lynnef3297]

You always do such beautiful, thought out work. I also like that you reuse materials when possible. 👍 Thanks for sharing this.😀

[@averysmallcampervan]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@timomakelajobe4346]

Amazing craftsmanship.

[@luvnotvideos]

I love your innovative spirit and the joy you bring to making custom pieces to suit your needs. Excellent work! Thank you for sharing. 🤟

[@TheClairemyst]

Just amazing!! N thank you for the sailrite tip

[@averysmallcampervan]

Happy to help!

[@ChrisAndEmilie]

We love your attention to detail! This was super helpful as we’re looking to upgrade the bed in our tiny camper as well. This gave us some ideas and hopefully we’ll also be able to reuse material we already have too.

[@averysmallcampervan]

Glad it was helpful! Good luck with the upgrades!

[@SriRaamajayam]

you are so talented and filled with great ideas... loved this video and the projects :)

[@averysmallcampervan]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@justmona9647]

You always do beautifully designed items for your van!!! Nice to see you are back🌟

[@averysmallcampervan]

Thank you! 😊Glad to be back!

[@cam-bo11]

Your attention to detail and craftsmanship is top notch. Not to mention, entertaining. I'll prob never go to these lengths for my minivan camper, but I sure do enjoy watching you convert and update yours! 👏

[@averysmallcampervan]

Thanks, and I am glad you are enjoying the videos!

[@HeatherRenee101]

I would be worried about the gaps. After sleeping on it awhile, you may start to feel the gaps between the 3 cushions. That would be my only worry with this method. They look fantastic though!

[@averysmallcampervan]

That was my worry too! I would see all these videos with beds made up of a gazillion different cushions and thought yeah, right. But so far I have been pleased with it. I think it makes a big difference where the gaps are vis-a-vis your sleeping body.

[@gus473]

👍🏼Nice work! And yes, Sailrite is a great bunch and a terrific resource! 😎✌🏼

[@averysmallcampervan]

Yes indeed!

[@mustseevideos7777]

I just found your channel and watch Ed the window cover video. I subscribed immediately after because your instructional directions and great delivery is real outstanding. Looking forward to the rest of your videos. Ty!

[@marianam8643]

Great job. I watched the same KZbin channel. But did not have stripes, and for some reason my corners are all weird. The cushions are still useable and I am not changing or redoing them, but still, after all that work to see a cushion not be perfect is a bummer. You explain things so well.

[@debvoz]

I totalaly agree that Sailrite is a great resource for all kinds of sewing projects! Thanks for sharing this project, you gave me a lot of good ideas for my build.

[@averysmallcampervan]

It really is!

[@valbac6582]

Bonjour J'ai bien bien réfléchi à toutes vos vidéos.. que j'adore ! Vous êtes incroyable. J'aimerais savoir faire tout ça et avoir l'énergie, le courage pour le faire. Donc la meilleure des solutions que j'ai trouvé.. c'est..que vous nous adoptiez, moi et ma fille. Vraiment ! 🥰

[@bdmenne]

Lovely!

[@antoinette272]

Love it.

[@averysmallcampervan]

Thanks!

[@regen8218]

Ich finde alle deine Ideen einfach genial. Ich habe viele Ideen bekommen und deine präzise Arbeitsausführung motiviert mich. Danke für dein Video. Freundliche 😀 Grüße von Deutschland 🇩🇪

[@lindabarker7142]

N.ice work. You are a talented and patient seamstress

[@averysmallcampervan]

thanks!

[@lyndamcleod2242]

WOW!!

[@camilyarjona4074]

The velcro idea. Priceless!

[@averysmallcampervan]

thanks

[@virichter7214]

Wow is there anything you cannot do? Amazing.

[@laurahubbard9470]

Thank you for showing us in great detail what you’ve accomplished.

[@averysmallcampervan]

My pleasure!

[@MacgyverSharon]

Great improvement! A lot less bulky too! 👍☮❤🕉

[@averysmallcampervan]

Thanks - though still a lot more involved than your sleek camping cot bed ;-)

[@beverlywillert6091]

You think of everything! That Velcro idea💡👍and as always beautiful neat work

[@averysmallcampervan]

Thank you! 😊

[@richardmccombs617]

As always great job

[@averysmallcampervan]

I appreciate that

[@rennemichaels2706]

You do lovely, lovely work. So precise. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.

[@averysmallcampervan]

You are so welcome

[@ramonvalentin3495]

Good bed, please tell me where build you camper maybe the address

[@Emillly3]

You make it look sooooo easy!!!! Love it! Gives me motivation 😁

[@averysmallcampervan]

I'm so glad!

[@SteveHazel]

well that's cool and all. lemme know if you ever use couch mode while campin tho. i set my van up with something possibly couchable. but with the gear underneath, ehhh, it's gonna never be in couch mode - always bed mode :)

[@averysmallcampervan]

I know what you mean! It is so tempting to stuff that under the bed space choc a block full. But yes, we have used the couch mode in previous years. I really depends on the level of rain or mosquitoes. Get enough of those and all of a sudden sitting and eating inside the van starts to be worth the trouble.

[@bmiles4131]

This is great. This is what I imagine I would want to do, but then I can’t sew. How do you get all those pins back out? Do you keep count, like a surgeon?

[@averysmallcampervan]

Don't worry, if there is a pin you don't find, it will find you ;-)

[@c_beno3416]

Je suis toujours vraiment impressionné par ce genre de vidéo. Je ne comprend rien de la couture par contre haha

[@janm8477]

Beautiful work, beautiful video. Thanks!

[@averysmallcampervan]

Thank you too!

[@robincrook5630]

We bought a 6 inch full size Milliard trifold mattress for our tent. It is wonderful and a similar idea as yours...minus the work.

[@averysmallcampervan]

Sounds great! (but minus the fun of making it too ;-)

[@markmcla]

Another fine job! You do such wonderful work. I did a much clumsier job with my minivan bed, but I'm still pleased with my bed setup: I bought a 5" twin foam mattress from wayfair. 4" of the mattress were memory foam, and 1" was the squishy blue topper. -It's pretty nice! I cut one section to fit a large pillow case around it. The other section comprised the "main" section of the mattress. I like this because I can bend the main section into a lounger, or lay everything flat as a bed. -Anyway, keep sharing your excellent work and clever ideas!

[@averysmallcampervan]

Thanks and yours sounds like a good set up - helpful that the mattress is bendy enough to make it into a lounger!

[@markmcla]

@@averysmallcampervan Also, I totally agree with your philosophy that your minivan camper should primarily be a bedroom. -You might be interested in my heater setup for a minivan. Do a youtube search for "zodi hot vent tent heater in a minivan" and my video is the first search result. Happy travels!

[@shannonmurphy9790]

You are a very talented woman! Wish I had the patience to be as particular as you are. Very impressed with your work.

[@averysmallcampervan]

Thank you so much!

[@maggiemurray8522]

Great video 🇨🇦

[@JJ-gc8du]

Looks like great nights' sleep are in your future!! Well done.

[@averysmallcampervan]

Hope so!

[@traceycollins5268]

Awesome job. Love it!

[@skpjoecoursegold366]

nice. I like couch mode.

[@cindygray4533]

Amazing job🎊🎉🧘‍♀️

[@averysmallcampervan]

Thank you 🤗

[@pnwusa]

you are a master seamstress. thank you for sharing your van build journey and sailrite videos too! travel mercies and continued blessings. 🕊

[@JOYsCAmpeR_ADV]

Awesome job!👌 Thumbs up for sure!👍

[@averysmallcampervan]

Thank you 👍

[@karenr67]

Very smart sewing. Good idea .

[@averysmallcampervan]

Thank you! 😊

[@gordaallsop3403]

You think of every detail!

[@averysmallcampervan]

Slowly, slowly!

[@AMi-sn8yu]

Very cool!! But what car do you use?

[@averysmallcampervan]

Oh, it is a Dodge Grand Caravan

[@peggyconway2900]

Wow, great job!

[@averysmallcampervan]

Thanks!

[@alisinwanderland]

I love this so much. I have been wanting to make my own cushion covers but felt intimidated by the task. You explained it so well and made it look easy (I am pretty sure it wasn't). The bed looks beautiful and so functional for many uses. Thanks for sharing.

[@averysmallcampervan]

Go for it! watch a few of those Sailrite videos and go carefully and you'll be fine!

[@CBAmakingAusername]

You are a very talented lady. The covers look amazing. Lovely job x

[@averysmallcampervan]

Thank you so much!

[@sarahloy830]

Thank you for taking the time to show the little details. That is the part that I really need to see.

[@averysmallcampervan]

Glad it was helpful!

[@milomilano7679]

Masterful sewing. Well done!

[@averysmallcampervan]

Thank you! 😊