Upholstery question

[gordo9742000]

I got an upholstery question that I hope someone can help with. Redoing the interior on my boat. Getting ready to get started but already came to a standstill. The vinyl is foam backed and I will be sewing different color panels together for the seat bottom. Do I remove the foam where the different colored panels are sewn together or do I leave it there? Didnt know if when it was stitched together with the foam it would leave too much bulk underneath and create a bump. Thanks.

 

[joeltjen10]

I got an upholstery question that I hope someone can help with. Redoing the interior on my boat. Getting ready to get started but already came to a standstill. The vinyl is foam backed and I will be sewing different color panels together for the seat bottom. Do I remove the foam where the different colored panels are sewn together or do I leave it there? Didnt know if when it was stitched together with the foam it would leave too much bulk underneath and create a bump. Thanks.

Is the foam attached to the vinyl or a separate piece that was placed in between? I would sew the vinyl together and just back it with foam. If the foam is in good condition you can reuse it. The foam will compress as much as it needs too depending on how tight you pull the vinyl over it. I just redid a bunch of my vinyl panels and 1/2" bought foam from one of the local fabric stores. It worked really well but I didn't have any stitching.

 

[gordo9742000]

The foam is glue to the vinyl. Its 1/4 foam foam for sewing in pleats. It will then be stretched over the main seat foam. I am just concerned with removing the foam because if I dont do it exactly in the right spot will it show where it is removed. Maybe i am overthinking this.

 

[proshadetree]

A picture is woth a thousand words. Pleats are normally in center sections only. The side parts dont get that due to bulk. A view of what you are doing and planning would help in this area tremendously.

 

[gordo9742000]

Really don't have pictures because I haven't started. My concern is where I stitch two different colors of vinyl together for a stripe. Should I remove foam from the area and just stitch vinyl together or leave the foam and stitch the vinyl and foam together.

 

[jbcurt00]

Woodonglass should be along shortly to help

But, IMO, the foam backing isn't so stiff as to create a major problem at the seams, but I've never done vinyl w/ or w/out the foam backer.

Join 2 panels and see how it lies on the rest of the seat's bottom cushion foam. Steam is used to smooth vinyl upholstery when it doesn't fit quite right, perhaps you'll have to steam the seams to help them lie flat.

Make sure you don't leave any more vinyl sticking out past the stitching, 1/4in or less.

I really don't think removing it is going to go smoothly......

 

[bruceb58]

My suggestion is use some scrap material and do it both ways and see which look you like better.

You can also ask your question here. Many professional upholsterers on there:
http://www.upholster.com/upholstery-forum/index.php?board=1.0

 

[Woodonglass]

When I stitch foam backed vinyl I stitch the seams with the normal 3/8 - 1/2" selvage and then trim of the excess in order to NOT have and issue with the Extra material. Works great!!! Doesn't matter if you use different colors. Hopefully you have a Walking Foot machine cuz, sewing foam backed vinyl with a Home Machine is NOT fun. It can be done, but you'll be fighting to keep consistent stitch length etc...

 

[gordo9742000]

That's kind of what I was thinking. Then I started thinking more which usually gets me into trouble.
No walking foot machine. But it shouldn't be a problem. I have plenty of experience sewing tent and awning canvas without a problem.

 

[Woodonglass]

Uhmm the issue is the foam will be down against the machine and it doesn't want to slide/feed thru the machine. Foam sticks. You and help this by putting newspaper down first and sewing thru it. I won't hurt the stitches and is easily removed. Walking foot will feed just about anything uniformly. Good luck with your project.

 

[Corjen1]

Hey Gordo, Great advise from theses guy ^^^^^^ To your specific question, I sew the panels w/foam together. Then trim down the selvage material down to about 1/8 in from the stitch line.

As far as walking foot or not.. I love my walking foot, use it almost exclusively. That being said, it can be done with a regular machine, Did my whole boat with a singer 15-91.

If your doing pleats or tuck and roll, check this out....this has served me well. Its for auto tuck and roll, but principles are the same.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/t...-panel.372599/

This guy has great techniques as well...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTpdYDCSIrw

 

[gordo9742000]

No Title

Stitched my panels together. Didnt come out half bad. Now on to the pleats.

 

[Woodonglass]

Looks good to me!!!:nod:

 

[Corjen1]

Fantastic!!!!!

 

[gordo9742000]

No Title

Finally got around to finishing it. Came out pretty good if I dont say so myself.