Sewing Vinyl

[jlinder]

I am rebuilding my seat cushions and wanted to learn more about what stitch to use.
I have done a number with just butting the pieces together but not very happy with that. It looks OK for now but I suspect it will not hold up well.

I look at my upholstery on the car and other boats and I see 2 rows of thread.

I have looked on the internet but cannot find a good example of how that works.

Can anyone help? Do you have internet sites to point out or pictures of what you have done?

Thanks

 

[drewpster]

Re: Sewing Vinyl

Get an old seat or an old one out of your boat and carefully cut them apart at thier seams to see how they were stitched. Most likey they were made using a special stitching machine. I bet you can make you own the same way using a regular sewing machine and a special needle. Thats what I plan to do.
If you do not have a complete seat cover to work from go to a junk yard and get an old one out of a car. I bet they would give you one.

 

[holgo123]

Re: Sewing Vinyl

I am in the process of learning how to sew right now. I have an old Singer 211W model industrial machine. I bought a book on Auto and Marine Upholstery and a bunch of vinyl remnants and have been practising for a while now. I am getting comfortable using the machine (I had to stick a governer on it to slow it down... It was to freakin fast!). The seams used in autos and boats seem to be "flat felled" and "French" seams... The seam that has two rows of seams on either side of the main seam is a "French" seam. There are many websites on sewing. I am at the point right now that I am getting ready to start. I am taking the old cushions and pieces apart and am going to make patterns with them. I have chosen the colors and have sourced the vinyl, welting, foam, and backing off of Ebay. I will take pictures as I start making some progress...

 

[oops!]

Re: Sewing Vinyl

I will take pictures as I start making some progress...

imho.....upholstery and sail craft are the only thing this forum is missing

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Sewing Vinyl

holgo123 , please document your project, it could be a candidate for complete projects forum.

 

[jlinder]

Re: Sewing Vinyl

I think the flat felled is what I am looking for. I did a search on the internet and found some articles on it.

I will need to try it and practice a good bit.

You are right, a section on sewing and stuff would be nice

 

[Recruit]

Re: Sewing Vinyl

let me know what you learn. im redoing my boat now and when im done the old seventies tan and browns wont fit my newly white black and blue boat!

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Sewing Vinyl

I've done some sewing on my boat interiors and covers. The biggest problem I've run into is that my machine is not heavy duty enough to handle the vinyl properly, pulling through and/or tightening the thread snuggly. It's an old Singer hand-me-down from the 80's. It works, but does not always space the stitches equally, sometimes bunches them up and binds up and knots on the underside,, very frustrating at times.

From the sewing I've done, having (or not having) the right equipment is 1/2 the battle.

 

[oldsub86]

Re: Sewing Vinyl

I too am very interested in this sort of thing. Having it done professionally is very expensive. I bought a Singer commercial sewing machine about a year ago but have yet to start to practise with it. I had it in mind to redo an old Starcraft Holiday that we have but then inherited a Slickcraft so have not done anything with the Starcraft.

Would love to see photos and description of the process in making new seats etc.

Randy

 

[dodgeramsst2003]

Re: Sewing Vinyl

Just my $.02 worth. If you're planning on actually completing this project AND keeping your sanity then you need to buy and industrial machine. I used a home model for my first attempt at canvas. Mind you this was sunbrella and never more than two layers thick. That material tore up my home machine in no time. I have a singer high speed "seamstress" machine for the canvas work, and had a singer industrial walking foot for vinyl. I sold the walking foot but will be buying another one soon. You can get by with just an industrial machine for the vinyl, but the aggravation just isn't worth it as it won't feed evenly. PM me if you have any other questions/problems.

Chris

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Sewing Vinyl

i have done all my vinyl work with a 1953 singer, back when machines were tough. using the correct needle for what you are working with, makes it much easier.

 

[jlinder]

Re: Sewing Vinyl

Any good suggestions on the best places to find used machines for sale

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Sewing Vinyl

ebay, craigslist, bulletin boards at sewing, canvas stores.

 

[jlinder]

Re: Sewing Vinyl

What can I expect to pay for a used machine? I know it is a big range but I would be looking for something simple.

 

[BillP]

Re: Sewing Vinyl

$50 should still buy a 1950s all steel home machine that will sew boat canvas and vinyl. Look for one made in Japan...they all have that retro look. Later 1960s home machines started having nylon gears that won't hold up to heavy boat work. Tighten the pressure foot as much as it will go...this will help the fabric walk through easier and help keep tension uniform. Double wrap the thread tensioner if you can't keep tension in adjustment. Heavier than normal thread makes this a normal procedure with home machines.

Use the longest straight stitch the machine has. Use bonded dacron (polyester) thread..."bonded" makes it easier to feed though the machine and needle. Dacron is the most UV resistant. Nylon sews easier for interiors but can't be used outside.

Most home machines will take up to V90 size thread and a #20 size needle. If too big go down to V60 thread and a #18 needle (commercial marine canvas is usually V90 or the heavier V138).

But really, spend the bucks and get a canvas making book. Even old editions will help you learn in giant steps. Jim Grant's and Karen Lipe's books are easily found on dabay for cheep.

bp

 

[projecthog]

Re: Sewing Vinyl

imho.....upholstery and sail craft are the only thing this forum is missing

LOL,

Thats most likely because it is now a hundred years later and the techniques are fading.
Just joking, but Now you mentioned it....I haven't seen anything of that nature either, But be patient, someone will most likely answer that when they see it.
Good luck,
PH.

 

[57fairlane]

Re: Sewing Vinyl

I guess this could be a good first post, I have a upholstery shop and can give some advice on techniques / answer some questions. Work on marine, all canvas projects, build interiors from scratch, etc. as well as automotive.
One of the biggest seems to be machine choice, and the only way of getting decent looking and lasting results (proper thread) is with a true compound feed machine. I personally run a Juki LU-563, they can be found in good shape with table for 1200ish range. To make upholstery in boats look perfect, you need to have foam behind/attached to the vinyl,(not just the foam on the seat) I use 1/2". As well as a backing material on the underside of this foam. This foam makes the finished job look smooth, "clean", hides imperfections with the base foam, etc. The backing material keeps the thread from pulling through the foam which equals disaster. There are 1/2" sew foams out there with all kinds of material on the back. SO when your sewing a seam, you have two layers of vinyl / 1/2" foam / backing material, gets real thick. Getting a home machine to sew this would be impossible. If your not going for perfect results, then you can just sew the vinyl on its own, ditch the foam. The results will suffer, by my standards, which are high mind you. As per thread, buy good thread, don't buy it form a fabric store or something. I run Star Ultra #92, it not expensive and you'll be thanking yourself when your seats don't come apart after a few years.
On the topic of books, well books are kinda useless, you will learn more (at least I did) from taking apart the old and figuring it out. I've only come across one half decent automotive book. All the marine ones I bought where super basic. I've got them kicking around if anyone's interest.
This is very much a skill of learning by doing, and it takes the right eye and a lot of patients. Reason number one why its a one man show at my place. There are alot of hours involved, when its done right, which is why its expensive.
One tip, which I didn't pay much attention to very early on, but should have. Don't template off the old material, start fresh with clean square material. When you need to template shapes and such, I use clear 6mil vapor barrier and a jiffy.
I could go on for days, but if there questions, feel free to ask, i'll try my best to help. Although alot of techniques are hard to explain

 

[Calhere]

Re: Sewing Vinyl

imho.....upholstery and sail craft are the only thing this forum is missing

Im with you Opps lets get a board for upholstery and sail craft. My father in-law did professional upholstery his whole life but he only speaks Tagalogh and me only English such a waste of a great resource.....

 

[drewpster]

Re: Sewing Vinyl

I do not mean to hijack the thread here folks. I just want to keep the dialog going.

I guess this could be a good first post, I have a upholstery shop and can give some advice on techniques / answer some questions.

Welcome to iboats! DIY types like myself love to see the real experts in here. I cant tell you how many times the contributors here have helped me when I got in over my head.
I have tried to do a little upholstery work myself. While I liked the results, it does not have a pro's touch. I am sure that you could be of great help to many of us. Thanks for posting. Since my last try at covering some seat boxes I realize that doing complicated covers and intricate designs take experience and specialized equipment.
Is it possible for a doofus like me to put together some really nice covered panels? Is it easier to cover flat panels? I want to make a 4 or 6 inch wide combing pad that will surround the top edge of this cockpit opening and finish to top edge. I was hoping to make it wrap the top corner slightly. I was going to use light weight aluminum angle. (90deg) I was then going to cut the angle shape into a thick foam cylinder and bond the foam to the angle. If possible I would like to then shape the foam to a contour and cover it with pleated marine vinyl and attach it to the corner. Any suggestions?

 

[oops!]

Re: Sewing Vinyl

i have done all my vinyl work with a 1953 singer, back when machines were tough. using the correct needle for what you are working with, makes it much easier.

i didnt know you were actually sewing all your own work too......wtg

I guess this could be a good first post,

i think your right...!

(note my location)......(i think we should chat)

welcome to i boats.....this forum is a fantastic place not only for boating.....but there is a real social circle going on in dockside chat.....the guys that frequent this forum are reall class dudes.....good friends....again....welcome.