Many of us older car guys will be familiar with the D&L for . Apart from looking for marine-grade vinyl, you need to check for the following characteristics: There are plenty of ways to deal with ugly boat seat covers, and reupholstering them is one of the most effective methods. 2. Youll need to remove the old fabric and foam from the seat frames, measure and cut new foam and fabric, then staple or sew the new upholstery in place. You can also sandwich your marine vinyl fabric between two pieces of tissue paper to make the fabric glide through the sewing machine easier. This is a breathable material that helps combat mold, UV rays, water, and mildew. To start, youll need some fabric and a sewing machine.The type of fabric you use will depend on how often you plan to use your boat and in what conditions. Where possible, a pattern can be made by removing old seat upholstery. We would also recommend youuse a longer stitch as dense holes may provide a rip line much like a stamp perforation. 4. Its better to begin at the front and work your way backward, repeating the process when you staple the vinyls sides. For solutions to recover seat covers, boat seat reupholstering is the best option because it is the most efficient for marine upholstery material. Turn the cover right side out and slip it over the seat. Steps to Follow When You Reupholster Your Boat Seats. Starting with the long side of the cushion, pull the fabric over the side. There are many benefits to making a boat cover for your boat rather than buying one. Look for seat covers made for single seats. Next, measure the dimensions of the seat (or seats) that youll be covering. Decide on the size and shape of the seat covers, Cut out a pattern from cardboard or paper, Trace the pattern onto the fabric, and cut it out, Sew the two pieces of fabric together, leaving an opening for turning inside out later, Finish the raw edges of the seam with bias tape, zigzag stitch, or serging (optional), Turn right side out and press flat with an iron, Topstitch around the entire edge of each seat cover (optional). Place the foam cushion in the centre of the fabric. If you have the precise measurement, you can cut an adequate amount of foam and vinyl. Place the wood board on the centre of the foam. This boat is Black in color with Full Vinyl Flooring. Here are some tips to help you get started. Jan 22, 2012. eHow may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. The size and dimensions of the seat will depend on the size, style and type of seats you are covering. If you have some basic sewing skills, reupholstering your own boat seats is a relatively easy project. Professional canvas workers dont bother with basting tape or needles: They have the experience to stitch flawless seams without such aids. But because its more durable, it can be a bit tricky to work with. Marine-grade vinyl or canvas are good choices. In just a few hours time, you can have custom-made boat seats that will make any voyage more comfortable. This is a relatively easy project that anyone can do, and it will definitely give your boat a unique look. Tip #3: Never use pins. Youll soon discover there are many projects that can improve your boat and will easily justify the investment in a good sewing machine: bimini tops, duffel bags, cockpit cushions, awnings, windscoops, dodgers around the bridge, instrument panel covers, dinghy chaps for RIBsthe list is endless. Be sure to use stainless steel staples to prevent rusting over time. Comes with a tandem axle trailer so you're not limited to one lake! Detailed Guide, The Best Pontoon Seats: Lounge, Bench & Captain Seats, How Much to Reupholster Boat Seats? Sewing your own seat covers is a great way to save money and get exactly the look you want. Get a good, sharp pair of pinking shears to cut the fabric so it doesnt unravel. Re: Replacing vs. recovering seats. Thats why its important to know how to sew boat seats that will provide both comfort and style for your vessel. Boat covers, bimini upholstery, quilting,. Depending on the type of machine you have, you may need to wind a bobbin before you thread the needle or the machine may thread the bobbin for you after the thread is loaded. 2. The Recovery Room Upholstery - Celebrating 30 years in business. You must inspect your helm seat and any boat seats wet with damaged foam or rotted wood. You can get the job done without the following items, but they will make your work easier and the finished product even more professional. Become a member today and get discounted pricing on registration, Marine Fabricator Buyers Guide Company Directory. Staple the other piece of fabric over the top and trim any excess material.Finally, cover the staples with decorative tape or ribbon for a finished look. A hot knife is great for cutting a clean finished edge on Sunbrella and acrylic fabrics. Step 4: How to Assemble New Boat Seats. Marine-grade vinyl, a heavy-duty sewing machine, an industrial stapler, and additional wood, if necessary, may be quite expensive. They are ergonomically designed and feature durable stainless steel blades. 99 - $39.99 $ 39 . She has been educated at fine universities including graduate work at Stetson University. 3. However, to make a cover that will be an effective and durable solution, you need to follow some basic . 1) Choose a durable, weather-resistant fabric for your project. 14. Let the experts wiht over 30 years experience help protect your boat inside and out with the best marine accessories like boat covers, bimini tops, and more. This can be anywhere between $60 and $175 per hour, or even more. At first, I thought the prices quoted were offers to buy the boat, not make the cover. CHARMEUSE SOLID FABRIC SHINY BRIDAL SATIN DRESSES . In 2008, we start make boat cover and bimini top, we build factory-Ninghai Innovation. Lay the piping along the outer edge of the seat, lining up the seam edges so they are even with each other. The cone of thread was $13 for 3,600 linear feet, and I spent $9 for 50 yards of Seamstik that should last me forever. Best of all, for beginners, both sides are identical so you don't have to worry about the "inside" and the "outside.". If you're in the marine fabrication, repair, or restoration industry, you know that protection from the elements is crucial for every job. Don't forget to use a heavyweight or upholstery needle in your sewing machine. Do you want to add anything else? Place extra staples around the corners for stability. Great job, we enjoyed this one! It doesnt shrink or stretch, and yet it is fairly pliable, which makes handling it easier during the sewing process. 15. Various sizes are sold per set (inside and outside foot). You can either make one big cover for all of the seats or individual covers for each seat; whichever works best for you.Finally, install the covers on your seats and enjoy! After all, they share many common features and fit with a lot of vessels. 04-15-2013, 06:47 PM. If no upholstery was present, a pattern must be made using the dimensions of the seat and cushions. How to restore your Boat seats and CushionsToday I removed my old boat seats with rotten wood and messed up vinyl, and made all new seats and back cushions to install.Its was a fun project and I am excited to try out the new seats next time I take my boat out.Go like our page on Facebook!! Learn to control the speed of the sewing machine, practice sewing straight lines, and understand how to use forward and reverse to over-stitch the thread at the start or end of a seam. Replacing old seat covers also makes the boat more visually appealing if you intend to sell it or if you just need to update the look so you're no longer ashamed to invite guests on board. Thoroughly inspected and compressions tested, this boat is ready to ride - turn key. Pin either a zipper or a Velcro closure to the open side. If you use pins it will leave holes in your marine vinyl fabric. Now its time to cut out your fabric pieces using the templates as a guide. Perforated (Dotted) Headliner Marine Vinyl Fabric - Flexa, Discontinued / Defective / Closeout / Clearance Marine Vinyl Upholstery. $36.99. There are a few things you need to know before you get started, but once you have the hang of it, its easy! A beefy topstitch in either a matching thread color or a contrasting color makes your project unique. By the way, when referring to canvaswork, it doesnt mean youll be dealing with the stiff canvas that faced sailors on HMS Bounty. *We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. 24" Bass Boat Bench Seat Covers. Boat Seat Covers. First, if the rip is small, you can try using a clear nail polish or super glue to seal it. I then "cut" (using my hot knife) really long strips at that width. After youve removed the old vinyl, lay the old cover on a flat surface. The new cushion should fit your vessels atmosphere you want to create. Whatever your boat seating need, we have hundreds to . Firstly, measure the width (A) and length (B) of the top surface of the cushion. Cut four pieces of 24 lumber to the desired length for the seat supports. PU Leather Vinyl Fabric By The Yard 54"Wide Upholstery Outdoor Boat Seat Cover. great fishing boat! I sewed the drawstring seam with the cord in place to simplify feeding it through later, and this was a clever plan that worked perfectly right up to the point where I stitched through the cord accidentally and had to rip out about two feet of seam. Once you have everything, simply cut the fabric to size and sew it around the stuffing.Make sure to leave enough fabric at the top so that you can attach it to the seat frame. Bonus Tip #5: If youplan on using your marine vinyloutdoors in the sun please make sure you use an outdoor UV treated thread. Sewing your own simple boat seat covers is usually more economical than having them custom made, just make sure to use marine-grade material. One of the most important pieces of equipment on a boat are the seat covers. Are Coverking Seat Covers Machine Washable. An Expert Explanation. So next time youre headed out on the water, be sure to bring along some comfortable seating of your own! Nearly everything else on a boat is something the average handyman can tackle: bottom paint, varnish, minor fiberglass work, even basic engine maintenance. Lay your fabric on a flat surface, with the nice side facing down. This blog recounts a common problem that many boat owners probably recognize - namely, water pooling inside the boat after snow or rain due to the cover sagging. Once you have determined the look of the finished seams for your next project, here are some options to consider that add decorative details and increase the seams durability. Buy Thread Here. To determine the width of fabric I needed for my piping, I multiplied the diameter of the piping I bought, times Pi, then added a generous seam allowance. She is an educator, writer, photographer, artist and model who has taught K6-12th grade and public educators. They are also easy to install, so there is no need to hire a professional. Steps to Reupholster Boat Seats. Boat seat styles can be flip-up, bucket, beanbag, bench, and more. If youre using foam padding, cut it to size now and lay it on top of the wood base. Both have a powerful motor and cogged belt drive to prevent slippage and stalling, but the most important feature has proven to be the walking presser foot, which grips the fabric and moves even bulky seams past the needle. 1-800-274-7006 . Auto, Marine, Canvas, Household and Commercial. Please note, comments must be approved before they are published. This MFA Outstanding Achievement Award-winner has "Chestnut" Silvertex Vinyl enhanced by the double-stitching accent stitched on a single needle machine. One manufacturer make bimini top, boat cover and outdoor furniture covers etc. Sew any designs, quilting patterns or other decorative elements onto the flat sections of vinyl first. Using clamps like these help fit the material as if it were sewn together before you make anything permanent. !https://www.milehighcampers.com=====. Probably the most important skill is learning to sew across a seam, especially one with multiple layers of fabric. Tip #2: Place scotch tape on the bottom of your presser foot to allow the foot to smooth easily over the marine vinyl without catching. We will ask for images of the defects so we can make immediate improvements in our production. Finally, dont forget about style! Remove the pins and turn the boat seat cover right-side out. To my delight and no small surprise, it fit perfectly, without flaws or wrinkles. 2. If youre looking to add some marine vinyl piping to your next project, there are a few things you need to know. This will not only save you time, it will eliminate pre-stitches from showing, especially around corners. Ive run ten layers of coarse fabric, plus a leather reinforcement, under the needle, and the machine wasnt even breathing hard. Skier's Choice 104931 Black Plastic 22 1/4 x 7 1/4 Inch Vac-Form Stadium Seat Cover. Finally, trim any excess fabric from around the patch. . The size and dimensions of the seat will depend on the size, style and type of seats you are covering. If your foam needs replacing, we have full instructions for patterning new cushions in our "How to Make Your Own Cockpit Cushions" video (#200618XHT). Experiment with various surfaces to use underneath your material, as the blade gets extremely hot. 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