Sewing my own seats...or at least attempting to.

[Kenny_Z]

First off, yes, I can sew. My grandmother taught me a long time ago. I haven't done it in awhile thought so I'm going to be rusty. Plus this is automotive interior, much more difficult than a shirt. But this is something I've wanted to learn how to do for awhile. I also have the lady at my mom's church for help and a really nice book. I decided to make the seats myself with her assistance instead of having her do all the sewing. I wanted to make the Nova's seat covers when the time comes but they are both bench seats. The Mustang had perfect interior when I bought it so there was no reason to mess with it. However, the Delorean seats are in bad shape. Cory W sent me a torn up cover to use as a template. I wanted to do something small to start so when I mess up (which I expect to a lot) I won't ruin a lot of fabric. The Nova seat is almost 2 yards to itself. The Delorean bucket is a lot smaller than that. Plus it is a two piece seat. The seat area is small and I can try over and over to get it right.

I'm trying to decide on the material now. I found vinyl is easier to take care of, cheaper (for when I screw up), and comes in a variety of colors. I know I want a perforated look to the center sections of the seats kind of like the modern sports cars have. I also may go with a two tone. I'm leaning toward a slightly darker center with a stock appearing outer. I borrowed and altered the seat picture from Hervey's site to get an idea of what I may want. It is extremely crude but it works.

http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/Delorean/Projects/int03.jpg

I decided I don't like the lighter center section. I've got 3 sets of darker perforated samples to choose from. I'll try to get pictures of them in the light with my stock colored vinyl tomorrow. I know they vary from almost a perfect match to very dark gray. I'm open to thoughts and suggestions.

[Kenny_Z]

I managed to get some pictures today. Why is it when you want to start a project you suddenly get bombarded with all sorts of other things?

http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/Delorean/Projects/int04.jpg
http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/Delorean/Projects/int05.jpg

I think the second from the left is the color I am going to order. It'll be two tone without having too much contrast.

[Kenny_Z]

I finally have something to show from this project.

http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/Delorean/Projects/seat02.jpg

It looks large because it's just laying on the seat. I still have to sew the supporting edges on but I can't do that until I sew in the welt. Still trying to locate a reasonable source for welt cord. I don't need a spool that costs 80 bucks and has enough to wrap around the earth twice.

They may not be perfect but they'll be better than the torn up mess I have now. Plus it's another thing I can check off as having done myself.

[Cory W]

That's looking very good! The two-tone is also noticeable, yet subtle at the same time.

I've been interested in seeing your progress on this. Anxious to see the next step, when you're ready.

[Silverbullet]

Looks GREAT!. As for welting... try a normal fabric store, they sell by the yard... or go to a Auto upholstry shop, and ask if you can just buy a few yards, most people are happy to help.

Craig

[Kenny_Z]

Thanks guys, it's been an interesting project so far. I'm fascinated by how the seat is put together. The local Joann's didn't have any welting. I forgot to check around in Hobby Lobby last time I was there. I was too busy checking out the metal garage signs they started carrying. Not cheap but some very cool stuff. I'll check the local auto upholstery shop but they don't even sell carpeting. Seriously, no carpeting at all.

I started the seat back today since I can't finish the bottom quite yet. I wanted to get a shot of it in the car but it got too dark for a decent photo. I just laid it on my bed for this shot.

http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/Delorean/Projects/seat03.jpg

I thought about getting DMC stitched to the headrest area but I figure for my first go at this I'd keep it simple. Plus I was afraid it might look tacky.

[john 05141]

I think you did very well, especially for a first time.
Jan

[Kenny_Z]

Thank you. It's going so well so far I'm nervous that I'm going to mess something up in the next few steps. I found welt cord today. I found it at a furniture upholstery store. I also purchased some thin brass rod for the seat bottom and back tacking points.

http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/Delorean/Projects/seat05.jpg

http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/Delorean/Projects/seat06.jpg

I didn't do any real work on the seat but I did take it out for a "test fit". I stretched the bottom over the seat as much as I could with all the brackets in the way. I think it's going to fit well. The darker gray center piece needs to be brought in a little toward the middle. It looks like it should be tapered but the seat I took apart was a little too messed up to see that. Oh well, at least I cut it a little too large instead of a little too small.

[dmc]

I would be very proud of that. Great job.

[Kenny_Z]

All I have to do to complete the bottom is to sew in the two inner center supports and cut around the seat supports during install. I've taken the back partially apart because the headrest is giving me fits. It's an extremely complex piece, at least with my limited skills.

http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/Delorean/Projects/seat07.jpg
http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/Delorean/Projects/seat08.jpg

When the back is complete I'm going to install this one on the driver's seat since it'll get the most abuse. I may drive it like that for a bit to see if I have any issues before I make the passenger seat. Yeah, it'll look funny but I don't want to make two pieces of junk if I can help it.

[Kenny_Z]

I must have sewn and re-sewn this headrest over twenty times. I want to tighten up the seams a little but I'm really happy with the fit.

http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/Delorean/Projects/seat09.jpg

Yes, I have added two seams to the sides of the headrest. That outlining section was one long piece but it proved very difficult to work with. I've changed the seat enough that a couple of extra seams isn't going to even be noticed. With the completion of that piece I can get my seat back together and start looking to installation in the car.

[Kenny_Z]

I didn't expect to have the time to get this far today but work is really slow and I'm bored. I was able to attach the headrest and do a few more test fits. I've had to make some minor adjustments and there are some corners I need to sew by hand because this poor machine isn't very powerful. I still need to do the inner supports but after that it's ready to go on the seat.

http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/Delorean/Projects/seat10.jpg

My seat backs are in great shape so I'm going to template them, make my own set, and then cover the new set. I'll store the old backs in case I ever decide to go stock. Since I can't do the fancy stitching I'll put a perforated stripe down the center to match the front of the seat.

[Kenny_Z]

Looks like I'm in need of some padding under the new seat. The one I used for a template was so worn I had no idea there was padding there. I'll have to pick some up tomorrow. The leather I removed was actually in good shape. I have no idea why the bottom portion of the driver's seat was the only piece that was still soft and not torn. Maybe it was replaced separately.

Sorry about the lousy picture. It's dark outside and my porch light is dull. I haven't attached anything yet, just pulled it over to check for any issues.
http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/Delorean/Projects/seat13.jpg

[Kenny_Z]

Hopefully tomorrow I'll have some photos of the driver's seat completed. I worked on it today until I went out to eat with my father for his birthday. Something I ate triggered my migraines so when I got home I had to sleep it off. Unfortunately I don't have any good shots of the completed bottom half.

http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/Delorean/Projects/seat14.jpg
http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/Delorean/Projects/seat15.jpg

The first picture was before I pulled and attached any hog rings. The second picture was just before I left. I wish I'd of got a shot of the top. It's nice, not perfect, but nice. I highly suggest those angled hog ring pliers. They are well worth the little bit extra they cost over the straight handled.

[Kenny_Z]

Finally, got sick over the passed few days and haven't had the energy to finish the seat. Thankfully I was able to finish it up today.

http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/Delorean/Projects/seat17.jpg

There are some parts of it that are horrible and are screaming at me. Overall it's nicer than the ripped leather and more comfortable. Now to start cutting and sewing up the passenger side based on what I learned here.

[john 05141]

That is not that bad. First time, so you've learned. I do agree much better than what it was, and you did that yourself!
The trick is to learn from it and try to improve.

Jan

[Kenny_Z]

Thank you, I'm enjoying not being stabbed in the back by jagged pieces of dried out leather. I was worried that I was going to change how the seat felt too much. Besides the occasional stabbing the D was the most comfortable car I own. I decided to take her on a drive today without the AC just to see how hot the vinyl was compared to the leather. I'm happy to say it was more comfortable with the vinyl. I think the perforations combined with the cotton center backs helped it breathe a little. I was also really happy to see the usage combined with the heat from sitting in the sun has done wonders for the wrinkles.

http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/Delorean/Projects/seat18.jpg

I know the picture quality is bad but the seat has really smoothed out a lot.

[john 05141]

It actually looks very good while in the car, it looks comfortable and soft.
Question is if it stays that way while you're using that.

Jan

[Kenny_Z]

I met a couple of local car guys to pick up some parts for my 86 Monte and one of them complimented my seat work. I've been using this seat for three months now and had forgotten about it. There's been no rips or issues with it at all and it is really comfortable. It's time to start on my passenger side. I spent part of today making templates on posterboard. I realized how hard it was to get accurate templates from old fabric to new fabric so this extra step will keep me from trimming too much or wasting fabric. I hope to start on it either today or tomorrow and finish it up sometime next month. I'm starting with the most difficult part, the headrest section. That part drove me insane last time.

[Kenny_Z]

I started the passenger side and managed to nearly finish the headrest today. I need to tighten it up a little which is what I figured when I was sewing it together. The pins were getting in the way and I did a quick outline stitch just to get things connected. I think if I bring it in about a quarter of an inch on both sides it'll tighten up and fit properly. That headrest took me nearly a week last time I did it. I guess I learned something before. I'll be working on the rest of the back tomorrow.

http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/Delorean/Projects/seat19.jpg

[Kenny_Z]

The passenger side is coming along much better than I expected. I've completed the skin for the back. I have to put in the bracing once the material I use for it dries. I had to wash it as I accidentally spilled root beer on it when I was getting ready to cut it.

http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/Delorean/Projects/seat22.jpg

I've started the bottom skin. Hopefully I'll be able to finish the seat some time next week.

[Kenny_Z]

I finished the new skins and will probably install them tomorrow. I had some time after I finished the seat so I took another stab at my shift boot. The first one I made was awful. This one didn't seem to turn out too bad. I made a new plate out of some scrap sheetmetal I had. The plastic thing was cracked, broken, and warped.

http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/Delorean/Projects/int07.jpg
http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/Delorean/Projects/int06.jpg

I'll know how well it works tomorrow after the glue dries.

[Kenny_Z]

Out with the old...

http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/Delorean/Projects/seat23.jpg

in with the new.

http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/Delorean/Projects/seat31.jpg

I'm hoping the bottom will tighten up a little when it heats up. The top was put on and then got to sit in the sun while I did the bottom. Then the clouds rolled in and it's overcast so no sun for the bottom. The shift handle didn't turn out bad either but it doesn't quite fit right. I've got to work on it.