Holy Moly, i learned how to sew. Couple of questions

[artificialreef]

Hello fellow i-boaters. I havent been on here in a long time. I have been restoring a 26ft. Tiara weekender basket case i picked up on the cheap for i think now the last 4 years. I started with the mechanics and have that sorted out and have the twin 470 mercs running like new. I just finished below deck and am now moving above deck to redo the vinyl uhpolstery. I bought an industrial sewing machine and with the help of youtube learned how to sew by practicing on my dry rotted stiching on my boat cover. It has been very rewarding seeing how far this has come. I will post pics of my progress following my sewing question. The topside uhpolstery does not look very complicated. Its just white vinyl with grey and burgundy stripes wrapped around some bolsters and an aft lounge backrest. All i feel i need to do is make a large sheet of the vinyl with the stripes shown in my attachment and cut to size, wrap and staple and i am done with this project. The issue i encountered is i took a look at how the original stripes were sewn and i see it was done with some weird folding and stitching that looks complicated. Like freaking origami. I thought i could just stitch each color about 1/8 of an inch and that was it. My question is do i have to do the fold and stitch origami like the factory did? Is it done like that for strength? If i need to do that can someone please explain the fold and stitch to me? Thank you for your assistance in advance.
wdtg.

 

[Woodonglass]

Fold and stitch??? You lost me. Been doing upholstery for about 5 years now. Not sure what you're talking about. Post some pics of the stitching so we can see what you see,Please!! From the posted pic, it appears they MIGHT have created the Grey and Burgundy Stripes as "Pleats". If so the technique for making those MIGHT appear to be "Fold & Stitch". :noidea: Pics will tell the Tale!!!

 

[artificialreef]

Uploaded some pics of the original vinyl. After inspection of the pics looks like just a few folds. There is some type of puffy material attached to the vinyl. I dont see how it is attached (the puffy material)though. Has anyone here done stripes like this?

 

[Corjen1]

The puffy stuff is called scrim foam. its foam with a cloth backing, so your stitch doesn't pull through the foam. You can get it in rolls of it individually. or you can buy vinyl with it pre-attached.

The weird stitch isnt really weird, just appears that way, due to the way they assembled the stripe. they started with the burgundy strip, stitched one side of the grey to it on each side, when the grey is stitched to the white and stretched, it makes the "folded: appearance when you look at it on the end. I would stitch it up in that order, just like you said, 1/8th in from the edge.

Keep posting the pix and good luck!!

 

[Woodonglass]

Corjen1 is 100% correct on his assessment. Standard Seams create what's called "Selvedge" Thats the vinyl edge between the actual stitching and the edge of the vinyl. When you stitch over it it "Lays Down" to one side or the other. Same if you Staple it. The "Scrim" foam is attached either at the factory when the made the vinyl or you can buy Normal Vinyl and then use Spray Glue to attach the foam. Usually it's 1/4" to 1/2" thick. Once you stitch two pieces of vinyl together and lay them flat on a table you'll clearly see that it looks exactly like you Pics!!!

 

[artificialreef]

It looks to me like i would need to sew the stripes first then lay the folds over and glue on the foam. On my pictures it looks like they cut a small strip of the scrim foam and glued it into where the stripes are. The only sewing of the foam would be at the top and bottom of the piece not at the stripes. I think it may be too difficult to try to sew the small stripe edges with the foam attached. If i am supposed to sew the stripes with the foam attached i will give it a shot. What is the correct way please?

 

[Corjen1]

Yes, I would try to stitch the stripes, then cut a strip of scrim foam the same width as the stripes. Use super 77 spray adhesive to attach it to the strip, and then stitch the stripe to the white.

 

[Woodonglass]

I'm gunna disagree with Corjen1 on this one.
Using 1/4" scrim foam is not difficult to sew after it's already been glued to the back of the vinyl. Heck I've done it on a Singer 15-91 Home Machine with NO issues! Glue the foam on the stripes then sew them together. Don't try to sew them and then put on the scrim foam. It won't work very well. What sewing machine did you buy??

Check out the video in this post...http://forums.iboats.com/forum/boat...ng-and-hull-repair/10204881-upholstery-how-to

 

[artificialreef]

Old Unisew, I practiced by making a snapon cover. Seems to do sunbrella just fine.

 

[Woodonglass]

Kool I have the Walking foot version made by REX Actually they're both made by Mitsubishi.

 

[artificialreef]

Had a hard time trying to find a scrim foam that i thought would be ok for outside. What do you folks think about this high density from midwest?
http://midwestfabrics.com/upholster...oam/1-4-high-density-foam-as-low-as-5-95.html
2 week vacation starts tomorrow and i am determined to finish this topside which will complete the 6 year resto of my basketcase.

 

[Corjen1]

Wog is very knowledgeable, despite what he says about being from Oklahoma and rooting for the wrong football team!!! He has sound advise. I would suggest trying different methods and see what works for you and produces the results you are after.

On your foam question, here is what I use...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-4-Cloth-Ba...kAAMXQfvlShn8y

You can get vinyl with it already attached, get this stuff or similar products, you can even make it your self, with plain foam and muslin fabric.

Again what ever works for you and your situation.

 

[Woodonglass]

I've used Car/Truck Headliner Foam which is what your's appears to be. No worries using it. It'll be fine.

 

[artificialreef]

Finished the bolsters. I think I am getting the hang of this upholstery sewing stuff. I had to sew each of the little grey stripes to the burgundy stripes then to the white panels. I am very happy with the results. On the top one to the left you can see its curved a little bit. The original wood base had a curve in it so the stickler I am I had to do the same. Was a little tricky getting wood to bend and stay like that. 2 pieces of 1/8 inch ply glued while strapped to a barrel. I watched a Youtube video on how to bend wood. Only 1 piece left. The big back rest at the stern of the boat. Back to the Unisew. Thank you all for your generouse assistance. I am almost done.

 

[artificialreef]

That hardware on the old one is for a boarding ladder (they are the sockets). I cant find that anywhere. Googed it and all i found was something from west marine that didnt have the plastic spacers. If anyone can suggest a part i could really use it.

 

[Corjen1]

The stitching looks great !!!! Good Job job !!