Calling All Upholstery Experts!

[douglee25]

I need some input from the upholstery experts here. I need to know how a few different sections of interior cushions are sewn together. I am comtemplating updating my interior and would like to dress up the current box cushion with some more modern styling.
See example 1 here. How do they form the vertical portion of the back rest?

Example 2 and 3. How do they form the contours on the seat portion or back rest portion running along the horizontal? I'm speaking of the 6" sections.

It appears as though the stitching method for all three examples are probably the same. I have a good idea how it's done, but I'm not 100%. Is there a tutorial online for that specific method? I haven't been able to find the search terms to turn up anything.

Thanks again.

Doug

 

[Lazy Daze]

Way over my head, Doug. I wouldn't even know what to suggest on the search.

Do you have a local upholsterer near you (it wouldn't matter if it was automobile). Maybe take the cushions in with you and ask them for advice?

 

[douglee25]

Way over my head, Doug. I wouldn't even know what to suggest on the search.

Do you have a local upholsterer near you (it wouldn't matter if it was automobile). Maybe take the cushions in with you and ask them for advice?

I suppose I could.

There are a ton of sewing tutorials on the web and youtube that really explain a lot, but I can not find a specific method for forming that portion.

Doug

 

[Lazy Daze]

Hmmm. So then you just need to know what this type of sewing is called? Maybe you could call a shop and then just send these pics to them? Thinking that they can ID it for you, then you'll know what to search for. If I knew of someone on this forum that was an upholsterer, I'd tell you to send them a PM. But I don't, sorry.

This is probably one of those topics that's not going to get a lot of replies. Give it about 48 hours, then bump it up again.

Good luck!

 

[fwebster]

The actual stitch is a regular lockstitch..(Fed Stitch type 301)...on all the cushions pictured. Photo 1 and photos 3 are also sewn using a gathering attachment (a feeding device that forces more fabric into a seam than the sewing machine will take in on its own). But if you are thinking of doing this at home, be careful. Upholstry sewing machines have both a needle feed and a walking foot.......meaning that when the needle penetrates the cloth being sewn, both the needle and the presser foot holding the assembly under the foot move to the rear of the machine the length of one stitch while the needle is in the fabric. Without positive control during stitching like this, the back of the cloth or scrim is easily skuffed making a weak spot. Also, these are vinyl coated fabrics, even though they appear to be natural leather. If you stack stitches......i.e. allow the assembly to stall under the foot you actually weaken the fabric since stitched stacked close together make a very week spot.

The shapes you describe are made by cutting 2 pieces of fabric in different profiles then sewing them together.

Vertical seams are made by tying off each vertical seam to a backer board as the cover is installed.

I spent a lot of years in the sewn products industry and I can sew. But this type of work takes some experience to get it to come out right. I own an upholstry machine and can sew up a truck seat or recover one for a tractor, but I wouldn't attempt the type interior work you pictured above. If you try, plan on some do-overs before you figure it out.

Good luck............

 

[Lazy Daze]

This is probably one of those topics that's not going to get a lot of replies.

Or, you might get an answer that is direct and to the point within the hour! :grin::lol:

 

[douglee25]

The actual stitch is a regular lockstitch..(Fed Stitch type 301)...on all the cushions pictured. Photo 1 and photos 3 are also sewn using a gathering attachment (a feeding device that forces more fabric into a seam than the sewing machine will take in on its own). But if you are thinking of doing this at home, be careful. Upholstry sewing machines have both a needle feed and a walking foot.......meaning that when the needle penetrates the cloth being sewn, both the needle and the presser foot holding the assembly under the foot move to the rear of the machine the length of one stitch while the needle is in the fabric. Without positive control during stitching like this, the back of the cloth or scrim is easily skuffed making a weak spot. Also, these are vinyl coated fabrics, even though they appear to be natural leather. If you stack stitches......i.e. allow the assembly to stall under the foot you actually weaken the fabric since stitched stacked close together make a very week spot.

The shapes you describe are made by cutting 2 pieces of fabric in different profiles then sewing them together.

Vertical seams are made by tying off each vertical seam to a backer board as the cover is installed.

I spent a lot of years in the sewn products industry and I can sew. But this type of work takes some experience to get it to come out right. I own an upholstry machine and can sew up a truck seat or recover one for a tractor, but I wouldn't attempt the type interior work you pictured above. If you try, plan on some do-overs before you figure it out.

Good luck............

Sorry for the late reply.

Thanks for the advice. I found further information on the vertical pleats like picture #1. In auto upholstery, they are formed by using listing strips (a piece of fabric folded with a metal rod in it) and hog ringed into place on the back of the seat. The same principal would be used here except there would be some of form of attachment to the backer board like you described. I'm sure there are multiple ways to skin a cat in that case.

I will continue to look into my options at this point to see which way I'd like to proceed.

Doug

 

[fwebster]

I would avoid using metal in the construction of boat seating. In a few years when the upholstery begins to weep rust you'll probably regret the metal.