Technical The upholstery thread to end all threads

If it wasn't for the worn area in the drivers side and the musty/mildewy smell, I think I would just recover this bench seat in my 47 Olds! It is in pretty good shape otherwise. The springs (all coils) seem kind of weak too, but not sure if there is anything I can do about that. There aren't any broken ones, but I would prefer a firmer seat. Any ideas to firm it up? I can take more pictures if needed.

 

I've replaced springs with high density foam and been happy with it.

 

I really don't want to replace the springs, just would love to figure out how to firm it up some. Maybe replace all the original matting with a piece of medium firm 2" foam? High density is definitely a must!

 

Question.
I inherited a Husqvarna Viking Designer 1. Briefly looking through the manual, I saw where it states it will sew leather, vinyl and denim. It has many, if not all the accessories, including the embroidery and quilting gizmos. Anybody familiar with these? Is it worthy...?

 

I can't tell you that, but I can tell you it's worth about $400.

 

Tightly roll sheets of foam and stick them inside the coil springs, then wrap the springs in burlap. Stiffens the springs, helps hold them in place and doesn't take much material to do the entire seat.

 

That sounds like a great idea. The springs are already wrapped in burlap, so I will just need to stuff some foam into them. Can probably pick up some 1/2" foam fairly cheap to do it with, too! Thanks for the help

 

That is a really great tip. Thanks for sharing that.

 

Finished up that roadster seat a couple weeks ago and it’s in the car…

 

Very Nice!

 

ok-now let's see the ranchero interior!--beauty there sir!

 

I probably posted way back, but here you go…

You can find many detailed pics of it in the build thread below.

 

Looking through some pics reminded me of these…

Only a small portion of it is upholstery. I cut up 55 gallon soup barrels, painted, detailed and upholstered these last year. Working on a couple more right now. Just fun stuff to do in retirement. A guy has to have something to keep busy.

 

I did the seat on my tub with a sheet of plywood, foam, vinyl, batting and a staple gun (cant afford nor have room for a sewing machine, so this will have to do for now.. I was hesitant to move the backrest on the tub so its only just foam with no plywood or anything else back there. But i fit well with no plywood so I think itll do. Atleast for now.

I did have a question though. The snaps i purchased just keep breaaking because I rolled over the viinyl on the backrest and it gives it a nice(r) look than if I were to just cut it. Anyone have any recommendations for strong snaps? I got pliers on amazon that are kinda like vise grips and they work good but Im not happy with the qualiity of the snaps themselves.

 

Not sure if they’re sold on Amazon, but you can get the button top with a longer shank for greater thicknesses of material. I get them from an Uph supplier. Use the same tool.

 

I have the front seat lower cover done. Just need the foam to show up before I can attach it. It took me about 3 days to get done, but I'm pretty happy with the results!

 

I just got my very first seat done, as well. There is a bit of wonky in it, but for first try, it came out a bit better than I thought it would..



Everytime I try something like this, I learn a little bit more..

 

Looks great to me! This is my first attempt at upholstery too, and I can see all my "wonky" spots too, but ya gotta look close

 

Yours is an old post and I tried to start a thread covering center consoles that got erased but here is what I did before it gets erased! Wanted a center console for my '40 Plymouth. Made it of plywood then decided not to try to upholster it. I covered it in fiberglass, body finished the surface then painted it body color.

 

I ended up going a different direction with an 08 Sebring. I took the HVAC knobs out and put the gauges in. I'm going to fill in the shift hole and put a kill switch and a trunk popper behind the little cubby door.

 

nice!

 

Absolutely love the barrel seats. Great idea and better execution. Bravo, sir!

 

Got more work on my front seat done. I have the front section of the split seat backs done. Still need to do the backsides.
A little before and after pic,



And both sides done!

 

A couple more barrel chairs added to the fleet…

 

Getting there. Still waiting on foam for seat bottom to come in before I can attach the upholstery to it. I'm pretty happy with it so far.

 

One more barrel chair to go with my Ranchero…

 

On a 32 Ford Roadster door, there is a "bead" around the perimeter of the door on the inside (sides and bottom).
I've seen examples of both online, but is the interior door panel suppose to sit inside that bead, or on top of it?

 

The windlacing - what you call "bead" (I think it's about 5/8" dia +/-), goes inbetween the door panel & the upholstered panel. Seals the gap(s) twixt the door edges n body. Also hides the gaps when looking from the inside to outside.
Marcus..

 

Seats are done. I'm pretty satisfied with the way they turned out, not perfect by any means, but a tad better than what I started with! I have an issue with the drivers side seatback. It doesn't seem to fit into the back cover as well as the passenger side does. I've tried several times to get it to fit better, but no dice. Not sure what is wrong. Take a look at the pics and you'll see what I'm talking about. Any ideas?

 

Most have the panel sit inside the bead.