My first attempt at uphostery

Hi Guys
i thought i woud post up a few photos of my first attempt at uphostery in my coupe.
After reading a coupe of books and checking out the uphostery threads on here i bought up a cheap machine and got stuck in.
I am now looking for some ideas and advice for the bench seat, what do people recommend for the base? is it better to cut holes in it and fit webbing under the foam or is it better to just have solid foam?
which is the more comfortable? any ideas please.
sorry for the crap pics they are from my mobile.

 

Very nice job. I would make cutouts in the plywood or make an oak framework and weave elasticized webbing in the opening. Then a 2" layer of very dense foam and 1 1/2 to 2" of a softer foam over that. From experience...if you use a solid plywood base you wil feel it even in a short drive.

You can get by with a solid base for the back rest.

Good luck.

 

First time? I think it looks great!

 

yer lookin good, mate!

 

Would not have guessed it was your first try, good job.

 

What sewing machine did you buy? Did it have a walking foot? I have an industrial machine but it doesn't have a walking foot which makes it difficult to make pleats.

 

Good job on the upholstery. Somehow the steering wheel got misplaced to the wrong side of the car! j/k

 

Thanks guys
ok Jake i will go for the webbing, i am going to do the seat similar to this one i pinched from the HAMB, but without the armrest in it.



how do i get the tuck and roll to sit lower than the rolls?

My machine is a Consew 120 it has a walking foot, it took a bit of practice to get the tuck and roll right and i had a real problem at first with the welting. But it was just practice and more practise on scrap till i got it right.

Yeah yeah i know the steering wheels not right for you guys ;-)

 

Glue down and then shape (with a grinder) a 1" thick piece of foam to form the collar. Also cut into the lower foam a couple inches on the inside edge of the collar. You will need to sew a "stretcher" pouch to the under side of the insert/collar seam of the cover. That gets a wire put in it and pulled down into that slice in the foam around the inside of the collar. Hope that is understandable.

 

But your steering wheel is "right"!

 

great job. if my first time looked like that, i would be thrilled.

 

Damn nice job.Yes at least drill some 1'' holes in the plywood,if you dont when you sit on it it will not let the air out and will look like a balloon for a second.I have actually seen seat blow at the seam.Good advice Jake.I would probably cut the foam to match the insert plus1/2 inch all arond,then use a cloth to make a listing and staple evenly to the base.Then add the 1" to the bolster foam and that will give a nice shape. Good luck Jack [upholstery]

 

it looks like you thought about it for a while! and it paid off big time.

 

I think i understand Jake, how does the wire get pulled down into the slice?

 

Very nice job! I have seen work from uphostery shops that did not look as good as that.

 

I use tufting twine (button twine) looped through the pouch and catching the wire. Put twine every 3 to 4" with about a 12" tag end. Lay the insert in place on the foam with the collar flipped up. Using a long (12") needle thread the twine down thru the slit in the foam and out the bottom of the seat. When the collar is in place pull and tie the twine to a wire shaped like the outside of the insert on the bottom of the seat. Make sure you tie three or four knots. Only two will come loose. To get it all looking even I do an extra loop in my first knot and leave it at that till they're all done. When I'm happy with the look I go back and tie three more knots to each one.


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Looks pretty slick to me. Better than I could ever do.

 

Looks better that some of the stuff I've seen some "Professionals" do...Nice job!

 

Impressive! Wish I was half that good.

 

You're on your way. Every job from now on will look a little better as you try new things.

Frank

 

I think it looks horrible but they say practice makes perfect will you do mine next!!!!!

 

I'm gonna attempt it,too. Hope mine turns out as nice as yours. Great job!!

 

Outstanding job! Very nice.

 

Your hired I need uphostery in 3 cars....very good job...

 

Looks great! I'm knuckle deep in my first interior and I can say it is quite a feat! Keep on stitching, each project will get better. Here's a pic if my rear bench back. before
making patterns and cutting panels.


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I see you got the sewing thread problem sorted out. Looks great, cant wait to see the finished seat. Jim

 

Super looking,ya doing great.

 

Thanks for all of your comments guys.

It was one part of the build i was looking forward to doing, so i have been looking at and photographing peoples interiors for a while to get ideas.

I have really enjoyed doing it and I would love to do more upholstery in the future, if 60srailjob and MODELA30 want to bring your cars over i will give it a shot i work for beer.

Jim, yeah i sorted it. i think i was trying to do too much for the machine i have and my experience level.
I went with thinner foam on my tuck and roll and also plenty of silicone spray on the material and machine bed to help keep things moving smoothly.

I am going to get some foam next weekend and make a start on the seat,i am sure progress will be slow, but i will take some pics as i progress and post them up on here.

thanks again

 

That looks outstanding, great job on your first one!

Here is my seat build thread. Its posted in the upholstery group. Its a plywood seat that looks real close to the one you are looking to build.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/group.php?do=discuss&group=&discussionid=21768

Put about 4000 miles on the bucket this summer and have been very happy with the comfort of the seat.

 

Thanks for that Keep
your seat looks great, I looked around the upholstery group for any threads on seats,
must have missed yours.
You did a really good job there, plenty of good clear pics just what I am looking for.
thanks again, going to get stuck into mine now.