Seat application cross-reference?

[Anonymous]

That is exactly the kind of tip I was looking for! I'm gonna go buy some wide masking tape right now! I have a 1964 singer 600e. It was the last model with all metal gears and has plenty of power for multiple thicknesses of upholstery vinyl (I have only sewn through 4 layers, but it didn't even seem to notice).
Thanks again Earl,
Bob

[earlfor]

Re: seat application cross reference

I have an old cast iron treadmilll Singer that I picked up at a garage sale 20 years ago for $15. :-) It doesnt do any fancy stitches, but then, I dont need zigzags and button holes for a bike seat. :-) It will sew through four layers of 16 ounce vinyl without a problem. I use the larger eye commercial size needles in it and stranded nylon upholstery thread. The stranded nylon thread is the same as that used by sailmakers and canvas shops/upholstery shops. For someone that has never done a seatcover, it may be a good idea to buy a couple yards of something easy to sew such as denim and make a test cover and check for fit when finished. If you set the needle to very wide spacing (1/8" or more) it is easy to cut the stitches apart if you find you have made a miscalculation. Seatcovers are easy, they just take a little bit of planning for seam edges, overlaps and tucks.
ON foam usage...... I would not use the closed cell foam for the complete cushion as it will not compress to a degree that will be comfortable. Its usually better to make the first layer on the pan closed cell then perhaps a layer of soft, another layer of closed cell and the last three or four layers soft foam. If using a sincle block, go with the soft foam as a single block of closed cell will be exactly like sitting on a concrete block in about ten minutes. :-) :-) Another consideration is that the thinner the material, the easier it will be to make tucks and get it to stretch neatly. For very difficult to shape corners, as you stretch the vinyl around a corner, you can warm it with a hair dryer to help it stretch. Dont use a full fledge heat gun. :-) Its too easy to end up with melted plastic. :-)

Earl

Good technique Earl!! You are my do-it-youself hero of the day. I have several sewing machines, but none of them are heavy-duty or industrial. What do you use?

Junkman

[Anonymous]

Finished the cover today. It is marine grade vinyl and came out ok. I am going to put a 1/4" layer of soft open cell on top of the much firmer foam that the seat was made of. Since the original seat cover had 1/4" soft 'tween the hard foam and vinyl I figured it was ok. I'll get it on the pan tomorrow and try to get some pics to ya. The masking tape hint was GREAT, I couldn't have done half as well without it.