sewing up your own seat cover?
- Thread starter jonwright
- Start date
I am no expert on doing upholstery work, but I can relay a bit of experience.
Just like you, I built a lot of cars before I started building bikes. On one of my early car projects I decided to try making my own custom covers for the seats (I also like to do as much as possible for myself). Growing up my older sister did a lot of sewing so I knew the basics of how a machine worked, plus she was willing to coach me through it if I had questions. However she did not want me to use her machine (older sisters can be mean). So I purchased a machine of my own; thinking I would be doing this again it seemed worth the investment. The lesson I learned is that the machines made for home use on regular fabric will not hold up to the heavier upholstery materials (at least not for long). Even with the use of heavy needles and thread. I was using a standard grade of upholstery vinyl, things like suede or leather are even worse. First it gave me a lot of problems with the settings (tension, thread feed, etc). Then before I could finish the seats, the machine completely gave up...it was ruined. I tried having it repaired but it was not worth the cost.
So consider that before you trigger a divorce by wrecking your wife's machine.
As I said, I am all for creating everything yourself and never shy away from trying something new. But for the cost of that machine I could have bought a couple nice sets of seat covers. Just a consideration.
Just like you, I built a lot of cars before I started building bikes. On one of my early car projects I decided to try making my own custom covers for the seats (I also like to do as much as possible for myself). Growing up my older sister did a lot of sewing so I knew the basics of how a machine worked, plus she was willing to coach me through it if I had questions. However she did not want me to use her machine (older sisters can be mean). So I purchased a machine of my own; thinking I would be doing this again it seemed worth the investment. The lesson I learned is that the machines made for home use on regular fabric will not hold up to the heavier upholstery materials (at least not for long). Even with the use of heavy needles and thread. I was using a standard grade of upholstery vinyl, things like suede or leather are even worse. First it gave me a lot of problems with the settings (tension, thread feed, etc). Then before I could finish the seats, the machine completely gave up...it was ruined. I tried having it repaired but it was not worth the cost.
So consider that before you trigger a divorce by wrecking your wife's machine.
As I said, I am all for creating everything yourself and never shy away from trying something new. But for the cost of that machine I could have bought a couple nice sets of seat covers. Just a consideration.
DrJ
Over 1,000 Posts
Here's my first attempt at a vinyl seat cover. I removed the old cover, traced a pattern, made a template, cut out vinyl and double seamed the edges. Not the straightest sewing lines but it came out pretty decent. I also had to do a lot of patching and repair work to the pan and foam.
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keeleydavis
Been Around the Block
Anyone ever try sewing a vinyl seat by hand? I don't have a machine but I do have a lot of patience.
rockcitycafe
I make things.
you'll wish you hadn't... vinyl's tough, too tough for a regular machine even... I sew my seats with a 100 year old (next year) treadle machine made for making leather shoes and saddles, it's tough enough, but your fingers won't be...
Scruffy
West Tennessee
keeleydavis said:
Quite often actually. Along with welting, windshield trim for vintage cars/trucks, various leather repairs, tractor seats, steering wheel covers...
I have an upholstery capable 1928 White Electric sewing machine, that I don't know how to use. So I just hand sew pretty much every project that comes along.
Glover's needles are a good idea. Pliers are optional with high quality needles. If you are stitching a pattern through a hard under layer ( like the variable thickness rubber on my race type seat) pre-drill your stitch holes in the base layer with a 1/16" bit.
Hancock Fabrics sells marine type black vinyl for $5 a yard, outdoor spec thread is around $4 per spool. Jo-ann Fabrics sells multiple colors and weights of vinyl, as does Pacific Craft. You can get the materials online as well, but shipping adds up quickly.
Lay out all your stitch lines in advance with a super fine sharpie or similar. Do all your stitching with the pieces face to face. Time consuming but you end up with tighter stitches by hand as opposed to with a machine.
Worst is Willie & Max saddlebags. Tear them apart, make your contrasting color welt or matching color welt to roll the front seam smooth like it should have been from the factory. Sew the seams back together via factory stitch holes and the welt seam, turn right side out and reinstall the stiffeners. Compared to those, seats aren't that bad...
Finished quality is 100% determined by the care you put into the work. Method is pretty much irrelevant.
HolyRoller
Been Around the Block
Pretty sure I am resurrecting yet another old thread... but does anyone know if leather can be sewn by hand? I am talking slowly.. and perhaps painfully... but can it be done?
I am assuming the leather used would not be thick rawhide.. but something like calf....
HR
I am assuming the leather used would not be thick rawhide.. but something like calf....
HR
