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I have a ‘79. Vette L82 on the other side of the globe what is very important when it comes to shipping costs. So for me to change the seat covers door panels and carpet I’m looking at the total price of over 4000 USD.
I’ve decided not to go that route because materials here in Croatia are pretty available and somewhat cheap. I’ll keep this post live as I go on and update with pictures every step of the way in case someone needs it later on.
I have a doeskin interior which I hate as a color and I decided to go all black.
So after I’ve purchased high quality vinyl and carpets it was time to learn sewing.
I’ve pillaged my mothers place and with that good woman’s blessing took hers 40 year old Yugoslav sewing monster back to my place. Tried it for a sew or two and decided that I’ll concentrate my way through.
Took the seats out of the car and started stripping them from the foam (or what was left of it).
I’ve cut all the old vinyl and leather pieces on the seams and was left with pretty good stencils for markup of the new material. I’ve cut all of it with enough material to allow for minor errors and trimming later when I’m sure I’ve done it right.
This is how one piece will look like on the old foam.
Foam hey… I’ll need that too I guess… for at least the next two reasons. To renew and fill out the cracks in the old one and to be able to produce the same effect on the seats. So after a quick run to the local store I’ve came back with 30kg type foam, 5mm and 10mm thick.
After copying the seams and puting the first few pieces together I saw a glimpse of what it’ll become.
And my concentration was awesome ‘cause… look at that french sew, I’m very happy.
and the first one is done, just hangin’ off the chair.
Damn, you are doing good work. I congratulate you on your ingenuity. The seats are coming along nicely and you should be rightly proud of the finished seats.
Internal mosaic painted by my 4 year old daughter. I thought it is a fun story to leave it inside.
Sewn in the slot ribbon for the holding wire
Here is the rebuilt foam. Added denser and thicker 1cm foam for upper and lower back (blue) and thinner 5mm for the sides to cover the repairs underneath (white).
And here is the pulling and stretching and hog-ringing and wasting sleep time last night
Especially pulling. It’s normal it wrinkles and doesn’t want to imediately form to new foam. Little bit of hairdryer heat helps a lot.
… and final product is here
It fits. Just need to heat it a bit more to alow wrinkles to settle.
Outstanding work. I know because I used to do this kind of stuff for a living. You have mastered the French seam. Truly impressive was your foam work. I was going to suggest using a steamer to fluff up the old foam, but you did a great job with the new stuff. If you end up with some bumps along the seams, sometimes the seam underneath flips over so you might just have to slip your hand inside and flip the seam so that it all lays in the same direction. But that doesn't seem ( sorry I couldn't resist) to be a problem. Now imagine, in 20 years when the next owner of your car pulls the upholstery apart and sees your daughter's mosaic. And wants to know if it came from the factory that way. What does it mean? Very nice work indeed. Keep the before pictures to show off your work.
Outstanding work. I know because I used to do this kind of stuff for a living. You have mastered the French seam. Truly impressive was your foam work. I was going to suggest using a steamer to fluff up the old foam, but you did a great job with the new stuff. If you end up with some bumps along the seams, sometimes the seam underneath flips over so you might just have to slip your hand inside and flip the seam so that it all lays in the same direction. But that doesn't seem ( sorry I couldn't resist) to be a problem. Now imagine, in 20 years when the next owner of your car pulls the upholstery apart and sees your daughter's mosaic. And wants to know if it came from the factory that way. What does it mean? Very nice work indeed. Keep the before pictures to show off your work.
That sir are some kind words, thanks for the support. For someone who never touched a needle before, let alone a sewing machine that means a lot.
Second, that is a great advice with the seam bumps, that was the case in some places as a result of pulling in all directions, I’ve corrected it after the photos were taken.
Regarding steamer, I’ve tried but I wasn’t really happy with the results and I was affraid it would deflate again somewhere down the line. I don’t have the experience with longevity of such repair. In my mind the new foam made more sense.
12-12-2023, 05:44 PM
Upholstery job
