Projects 1950 Ford Business Coupe build

I think it’s gonna turn out great.

 

Yes. Been around it but not really done it. I missed on one of the pleats so 2 are off (one narrow and one wide that taper) but was able to hide the mistake around the front. My top stitch is a little off. I wish I had shrunk the pattern (existing seat cover cut apart) by 1/2" rather than adding 1/2". I will adjust the patterns for the seat backs when I make those.

 

Thanks

 

Where? As long as you can see it. Looks great from my porch.

 

Left of center 1st and second pleats. It's a curse, I'm very critical of my own work, never happy and only see the imperfections.

 

As you should be. As long as you know. It is hard to see until you point it out. Nevertheless, once installed in the car and some one sitting on it while cruising. Who will ever know besides you?

 

That and im limited on $ and the amount of materials I have on hand. Using the remainder of a bolt of vinyl. Hopefully will be able to get the seat + out of it. I will probably have to order more.

 

Shrinkage...
Both of these were the same size when I started.

 

Yeah, that’s odd. I am using that same material for my door panels and I did not have that problem.

 

Actually, let’s see a picture of that panel on the bottom. Rather than shrinkage, that one might be stretched. Those seams are supposed to be heat-sealed and it looks like those pleats are much wider than they’re supposed to be.

 

Those are the before and after pleading. Each pleats eats up a bunch of material. I have some of that heat pressed stuff, far from the look I'm after.
I really want the depth and the visual appearance of the dark line formed by the folded pleats. I believe this to be key to pulling off the white interior w/o being overpowering or adding a contrasting color.
Otherwise I would have done a straight top stitch.

 

Piece below is layout prior to stitching.
Grey lines will be my top stitch followed by the fold and 2nd stitch.

 

My mistake. I thought I saw part of that as the heat sealed. You are doing it the right way. I only used that stuff for cost.

 

Just read right through this thread and can see when finished this is going to be a very nice car.

 

Thanks

 

Thanks. I hope so.

 

An hr or 2 a day can make a big difference. In this case I spent about 3 hrs (2 this AM before work and took a 1hr lunch)
Pushed along the driver's side seat back.
I have to put a flap on the bottom tomorrow AM and I should be able to install it. Im pretty happy. Narrowed all the patterns by 1/2" all the way around to make up for the additional stretch of this vinyl vs original cloth. Happy with the pleat alignment back to bottom. Wrinkles should come out with a little steam or when the cover is stretched tight.
Oh! And it's really comfortable.

 

Left side installed. Im a little disappointed with the slight inboard taper of the back pleats. I will lay out the next seat back a little differently and hope to correct that issue.

 

It does appear that way, but it may be an optical illusion. Mockup the other side and see if it looks worse or better.

 

I wish it were. I'll survive. LOL
I adjusted on the other side. Hopefully it will come out better. It's a learning process. As long as i can identify the problem and adjust the process it will be fine. It may just be the way the cover stretches over the old frame and stuffing.

 

Damn, looks good from here.

 

Thanks. To quote my neighbor "I've seen people pay for worse!" LOL

 

Awesome seat recover.
I'd cruise in that!

 

Nobody is going to notice the little pleat difference at 60 Miles Per Hour, and your Butt won't feel it either.

 

Thanks. Hopefully next year it will make it on the road.

Agreed. Most of the problems are small and only noticeable because im looking for flaws and the seat is all you are looking at. Once installed most flaws could never be seen.

One of my 2 upholstery guys looked at it yesterday and gave me some tips.
Have another guy who will Hopefully come by this week.

 

If someone wants to pick on it. They need to go pound $alt you know where. It looks great.

 

When out at events and I see someone pointing and picking at something even if it's not mine I sorta act like it is and say, "so let's go look at yours now". That usually generates a different conversation.

 

About 45 years ago, our local car club had a parking lot car show. Just an informal Saturday gathering. Two guys in their late 20's were loudly picking apart almost everything.

They then climbed into a sun faded Mercury Comet - the headliner was torn and partially obscuring the rear window - and drove off trailing oil smoke.

 

Awesome build !