Home made upholstery pics

[waltraud]

Ok, i was so excited about this having finished it toight i thought i'd have to post some pics.

I've got an old 83 joker with some boring old westy material on the backseats and a slightly later specd'd buddy seat with matching later style material. So i decided that either i'd ecover the whole lot to match my cream leather saab front seats or i'd just re=do the buddy seat. I opted for the latter and took material from the rearmost bedding cushion over thre engine hatch to match the bench seat material (not in these photos but i will show how it all looks together when i've put eh buddy seat back in tomorrow. For now see what you think. This is just using the old seat with its old cover still on as a template, scissors, sewing machine, leatherette and a dollop of guesswork. Has anyone else done this soert of thing to good effect- would like to see.

[waltraud]

Now to weld those steps, rear short sill, floor under kitchen and sliding door inner and outer and B post bottoms.....couple of lovely days welding- sounds bliss compared to day-job work (my work that is) mind you i've always wondered if you weld for a living does it get boring after a while? Could ask an upholsterer the same question- i spose its what takes your fancy.

Happy New Year

[CovKid]

No but I purchased an old Brit-made cast sewing machine for exactly this purpose. Been practising ever since. Just waiting to find a roll of material at the right price. Seriously considering heavy-duty denim

[waltraud]

Have a go , in fact why not ask Status Quo for some offcuts. Heavy denim shouldnt be too much on market or ebay even. There's some bargains in the sales. I've just used some fake leather and it sews quite easily compared to leather.

[CovKid]

Aye, although the only drawback with false leather or vinyl is that any hole made by the needle is permanent so you have to be that much more careful. I did contact Quo but their agent merely suggested I do "Whatever you want" and that what I was proposing could leave me "accident prone". Guess I'll just get "Down, down" and get the job done....

[timski]

Ha I've just used some fake leather and it sews quite easily compared to leather.

What type of sewing machine did you use? Does it have to be an industrial strength one to do fake leather?

Cheers.
Tim.

[CovKid]

No, although you may need to use wax paper or talc to stop surfaces sticking together during sewing. I managed to pick up a Brit-made one made by (of all people) - Hillman. It had been used twice since new (a 70s cast metal version rather than modern plastic) and only needed new needles and a good lube to put it back into service. But you don't need a heavy-duty version to be honest or an all-singing, all-dancing machine to do this providing it has a piping foot, the correct needle, and you use good quality thread.

[waltraud]

Ditto, I just use any machine with a leather needle. In some ways an old fashioned hand or foot operated singer can be helpful but not necessary as it's easier to control speed. Tim

[waltraud]

Here's the buddy seat fitted into van now with matching material, makes the old back seat look worn now! Must find a way to get rid of creases in side panel of seat, perhaps a hair dryer on hot for a few mins?...Tim

[16vmini]

what did you re-cover the rear bed part in with ?

my two front drivers seats have massive holes .. i could do same method as you .. re-use material at back to repair front seats

hmmmm

Matt

[waltraud]

Used a light coloured upholstery material, v easy to make up. Tbh if I did again I'd use all new material with matching leatherette type material for contrast on the sides. I. e. you could cover the RnR seats in beige cord say and use a brown leather ish material or even a perforated material like headlining for the vertical edges- all quite easy to sew up on a machine. Let's see it if you do it! Cheers.

[16vmini]

will do .. i was thinking of just using the material from the upper beds , as the rock and roll needs re-covering as well...

allthough got door cards to do first ...with leatherette ..

will post pics of what i do ...cheers

Matt