Is trying to make your own rear seat covers for rock n roll bed difficult?

Discussion in 'Mech Tech' started by Andy_H_VW, Feb 18, 2012.

  1. Hello there

    I am in the process of deciding whether to purchase outright new foam and new covers from somewhere, or whether to get the best foam I can and buy material to make rear covers myself (not vinyl or leather)

    I have access to a sewing machine (and the wife says she can have a go), so is making covers one of those things that sounds easier in principal?

    I trying to keep costs down and am looking at getting the foam from http://www.foamwizards.co.uk/70170/info.php?p=5&pno=0
    4 inch reflex foam

    This will be for a full width bed, so if anyone has advice or costs to get the whole lot done It would be appreciated

    Thanks in advance
     
  2. Baysearcher

    Baysearcher [secret moderator]

    Look up "Pluss" upholsters down Exeter way. Supposed to be top notch work and good value.
     
  3. d i y mate ...cheap as chips ...quite easy ...my mrs does loads for me ,...if you can use a sewing machine your 80 percent of the way there mate
     
  4.  
  5. yes easy - go for it.
    bek
     
  6. Zed

    Zed Gradually getting grumpier

    I'm going to have a go with real leather - never done it before but what could go wrong? Westy style seat cushions only need sewing at the corners as they just wrapped them under the seat and stapled them to the wood. A nice and easy method for us beginners I'd say and I'll be doing that. The rear cushion over the engine compartment will be more difficult, but hopefully get the hang on the others first. Sewing straight lines will be the problem - experience and pratice are everything here I think. :)
     
  7. I recovered a rock and roll bed last year using the original foam as a template. Being a Riviera 'z' bed style it has 2 separate boards, one base and one back, with the foam attached by the board by the cover. Its basically a box with one side missing - the board makes up the missing side. Can't find my pics right now apart from this one which is the buddy seat base.

    [​IMG]

    This was my first attempt at using a sewing machine or making anything like this - each of my corners is better than the previous one as I got better with practice. The hardest bit was for the rear cover - I installed a zip on this which took a bit more .

    Material is leatherette from Dunelm which was something daft like £2.99 a metre.
    :)
     
  8. Zed

    Zed Gradually getting grumpier

    For a first atempt that's very neat Joker. Gives us all hope. :)
     
  9. we now have direct e-mail correspondence and shes helped me get around working a sewing machine to make things for the van. I find that following the instructions to make the cover suit the SIZE of the foam or wooden base is a little bit out, as you can see from my picture the cover is a little 'baggy' around the corners. It didn't help that I didn't have very firm foam which is weaker around the corners. So, I experimented with a cover around 1/2" undersized, this filled up the baggy corners and made for a much more professional finish.
    :)
     
  10. Great replies on this so far. Looks like having a go myself might be the best option here.
     
  11. Nice work Joker.

    Same advice really - use Youtube on a laptop or mobile phone, that way you can pause/rewind as you attempt/complete each step.

    Take your time and practice on some 'scrap' to ensure the machine is setup fine.
     
  12. Give it a go yourself mate, I did....

    This is what I came up with.

    [​IMG]

    I had a look on the internet for advice on sewing cushion covers. Found a really useful site, which of course I can't remember now! But it was cool and showed you how to do piping and eveything. The piping looks cool but was an added faff. I also put a zip on all of them so they can be taken off and washed :)

    Here they are in situ:

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Good luck

    Nick
     
  13. well done nickdy! very neat looking!

    Inspiring stuff

    :)
     
  14. Very nice work, is it pretty easy todo?
     
  15. I found this surprisingly easy to do in the end.....

    The wife did it. ;)

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  16. Just to add we decided to add upholstery buttons as well to stop material moving. The pics dont show that yet.
    :)
     
  17. This is a really brilliant thread. I've made all my curtains and cushion covers with the sewing machine but was balking at the seat covers. This has given me the ooomph to stop being a scaredy cat and get on and try it.
     

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