Going to try upholstery myself

[badbowtie]

I am going to reupholster the seats in my boat. I have a singer 500 A slant-o-matic that I am going to use. I am going to the fabric store tomorrow, I need to figure out what size needles and thread I need. I have some vinyl that I am going to practice on. Does anyone know of any DVD's for tricks or tips, for sale or borrow?

 

[mthieme]

Re: Going to try upholstery myself

I'm no seamtress, but I've done plenty of simpler jobs.
Typically they are panels, or bench seats.
This isn't too hard.
Cut out plywood using old stuff as a template.
Cut foam.
Cut vinyl a few inches larger on all sides.
Put vinyl down (good side down), then foam, then wood.
Apply even pressure to wood so as to compress the foam some. I usually kneel on it.
Then start bringing your vinyl up and over onto the wood.
Use SS (or Monel) staples...lots of 'em.
Fold corners as necessary.
Again, I'm not fancy, but the results are respectable.
For fancier stuff, I a friend who does marine stuff. His work is immaculate.
He uses a commercial sewing machine.

 

[rtpassini]

Re: Going to try upholstery myself

yeah its a pretty simple process. just dont use anything too thick or your sewing machine wont be able to do anything.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Going to try upholstery myself

the ladies at the fabric store know as much about sewing as we do about boats. ask them what to use. they will set you up correctly. they have help me many times.

 

[AZSenza]

Re: Going to try upholstery myself

I use the heavy upolstery thread and leather needles I think they are size 90/14. Just did a seat this weekend and it turned out great. Just work slow, Monel staples are best but Stainless will work too. They are a little pricy but dont substitute for them. The old staplers Handle lever on top) suck for upolstery work, use the newer style that has the lever at the bottom.

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: Going to try upholstery myself

here is a sight that i have used and might help you

http://get-up-and-go.com/upholstery...ID=b36438445aa02efe6334dd306929db3e&board=1.0

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: Going to try upholstery myself

here is one for supplys.

http://www.sailrite.com/

dont know what your a singer 500 is so if its a house hold machine this may help
sew as slow as you can, use the bigest needles you can get,use the longest stitch you machine has and if you cant get upholstery thread use the heavyest cotton thread you can get. dont use nylon thread

 

[jennis9]

Re: Going to try upholstery myself

BB - I am so glad you posted!!

I have done some research on this because I am re-doing our interior this winter too. PLEASE continue to post here and I will start a thread soon too. I am going to attempt to redo the back to back seats, bumpers and a few bow pads for up front.

One tip - I found a GREAT deal on marine vinyl at JoAnne dot com. I signed up for the email list and receive 50% off coupons. Ended up paying $5/yard for nice vinyl. The online colors are limited though. But I bought 10yards and got a bulk of the material cheap. Now the accent colors won't break the budget.

My only suggestion - if you are going to got through the effort... USE UV UPHOLSTERY (auto/marine) THREAD. Your thread will break down and dryrot quickly if you don't. I have been reading on auto upholstery sites too.

Agreed great site: http://www.get-up-and-go.com/upholstery-forum/
Great instructables here for auto: http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/need-some-tips-redoing-auto-boat-upholstery-130302.html
Materials: http://veada.com/product/11-Marine-Vinyl-and-More/293--Hidem-Welt-Trim-by-the-Yard.html
I also go to you tube and watch seat cover videos for welting (I am going to try it, but not sure of it's too tough for me).

Luckily, there's a foam guy right up the street - little old guy - one man shop and he inspected our foam and it is still tight. I'll steam it to perk it up (you can read that on the up-and-go site). So I'll get my new foam for the bumpers from him.

keep us in the loop on your progress - and post some tips! good luck.

PS- jaxnjill - love the materials link - thanks!

 

[mthieme]

Re: Going to try upholstery myself

One tip - I found a GREAT deal on marine vinyl at JoAnne dot com. I signed up for the email list and receive 50% off coupons. Ended up paying $5/yard for nice vinyl. The online colors are limited though. But I bought 10yards and got a bulk of the material cheap. Now the accent colors won't break the budget.

Excellent tip. The good stuff runs $15 a yard around here.
thanks

 

[badbowtie]

Re: Going to try upholstery myself

Okay well last night I played around with the sewing machine and picked up some leather needles. I am going to try to sew a 3x3 patch tonight on my bimini top. I am also going to order all my material and piping tonight from rochfordsupply I think I am going to go with the biscayne they have the colors I want. Does antbody have any experience with this material, I also have to look at the tread I think it is the polyester thread I want.

 

[badbowtie]

Re: Going to try upholstery myself

okay well I have my vinyl and thread. I started to take apart one seat to see how it was all sewed up. The only problem I have know is I bought welt cord so I would have to sew all my material over it or order the pre made stuff since I ordered the wrong stuff. Or I just don't use it at all.

 

[lowkee]

Re: Going to try upholstery myself

rochfordsupply is great. I ordered their bimini frame, a boatload of vinyl and boat cover material from them for dirt cheap (compared to other places, at least..). Look in their clearance sections, as they always have the pricey stuff in there for $4-$5/yd as long as you can use the few colors they offer. For me, beige was a good enough color considering all of the green I saved.

 

[badbowtie]

Re: Going to try upholstery myself

Well I got the bottom of the back seat done it turned out fairly well for the first upholstery job ever. I am going to start on the back of the back seat tonight. What do you think?

 

[triumphrick]

Re: Going to try upholstery myself

Great Job!! I bought a boat this summer that needed a console seat and did alright with the upholstery....by taking it to the lady up the road!!
Now however with all the new links and seeing your work, I think it's something I would try.
Thanks again for the good posts and giving all us back seat upholstery quarterbacks some inspiration!

 

[chicknwing]

Re: Going to try upholstery myself

Great Job! Man that really does look good. So glad you posted this. I've been looking for a cheap way to get my jump seats recovered. You have inspired me!

TC

 

[badbowtie]

Re: Going to try upholstery myself

For you guys that have done this I was watching a video and they were talking about using a small needle. I am using a leather needle to sew all this vinyl is this correct? Also I have noticed that when taking apart my old covers the sewing gap between each needle hole are farther apart than what mine are. So before I go to much farther I don't want all this coming apart I would like to make sure I am doing it correctly. Thanks in advance

 

[jeffnick]

Re: Going to try upholstery myself

Dayuum, nice job!

I could never be a seamstress. I can't mend straight.

 

[Cptkid570]

Re: Going to try upholstery myself

I just wanted to tell you great job and thanks for the info!

 

[jennis9]

Re: Going to try upholstery myself

WOW!

You did a great job there. I am impressed with the color bands!!! Keep up the good work.

Can you give is an idea of how long it took you to complete this section? And did you use new foam - or steam the old foam back into shape?

 

[badbowtie]

Re: Going to try upholstery myself

It took me about 4 hours including taking the old cover all off not counting drying time from when I steamed the foam. I reused the main foam but bought new foam for under each stripe which I am going to pull the cover to install that. I have had some things going on and got some more things done on the boat but should be back on the upholstery this weekend.