DIY Marine upholstery and covers?

[ShoestringMariner]

Hey guys, anyone here do their own covers or reupholstery?

I’m semi debating trying my hand making my own flat seat pads. (Flat, reversible seat pads with piping on all edges for the front section but my bow rider.) Not sure if the wife’s machine will do marine vinyl. But it looks like it might be easy to do at least for the simple things I want to make.

Has anybody gotten into redoing marine vinyl upholstery?

I understand that canvas covers need a heavier machine, but if my wife’s Kenmore 150 will do marine fabrics and I find success with that I might invest in a heavier machine and try my hand at tops/covers.

Just wondering if there’s any open discussions regarding this on this forum.

 

[88 Capri (2022 SOTY)]

I know @Woodonglass has but I'm sure others have done it. I myself will eventually also.
I am not sure about a standard machine being able to handle the material but the link I will share is the type of machine that was recommended.
Consew MACP206RL Portable Walking Foot Sewing Machine

Consew CP206RL Portable Walking Foot Sewing Machine

Consew MACP206RL Portable Walking Foot Sewing Machine If you mostly sew leather and heavy weight material then the Consew MACP206RL Portable Walking Foot Sewing Machine is the machine for you. The Consew MACP206RL Portable Walking Foot Sewing Machine ha

www.kenssewingcenter.com

 

[Chris1956]

Unfortunately the only way to know if wifey's machine will handle it is to try it. You can get some vinyl samples and give it a go. Use some coat thread, as carpet thread may be too heavy for most machines. You will need to sew 4 layers for marine vinyl, representing the cording and cover material. You will likely need to use a cording foot for all sewing.

There are relatively inexpensive machines ($300) which would handle most DIY seating. If you decide to go that way.

I would recommend buying complex seating such as back-to-back seats which can be had for $200 or less, on sale, and are very common.

 

[tpenfield]

Me
I have a project going currently

There are a few others

 

[tpenfield]

A household machine might (might) be able to do a simple boxed cushion. Lots of posts here on the forum about re-upholstery

 

[jbcurt00]

Take a look around, Woodonglass has lots of upholstery posts and although no longer active, JD started an upholstery after prompting from Woodonglass

 

[Buzzsaw420]

I have been following tpenfield reupholstering his 338 bow rider and his steps as he goes through are quite informative. Definitely worth having a look. Plus his work is outstanding. Cheers

 

[ShoestringMariner]

Excellent thanks guys. I will check out those threads. Hopefully the search feature or google will find woodonglasses thread. . Once I splash my project for the season (Will use existing cushions) I’ll start heading down the trail on this upholstery thing.

 

[tpenfield]

Here is my topic. . .

https://forums.iboats.com/threads/re-upholstery-job-on-cruisers-yacht-338-bowrider.752762/

 

[ShoestringMariner]

Here is my topic. . .

https://forums.iboats.com/threads/re-upholstery-job-on-cruisers-yacht-338-bowrider.752762/

Awesome, I was just trying to find it! Thank you

 

[froggy1150]

Wood suggested to me to get an old #15 singer with the gear drive motor, not a belt. They were heavy duty back in the day. All the gears in that machine are quality steel. I bought one and was shipped a belt drive model instead. It was in good condition and with shipping $100. I use that machine for general duty but it will do several layers. You can get walking foot attachments for them but I don't know how well they work. I do also have a consew walking foot for the tough jobs

 

[tpenfield]

@Woodonglass , @Corjen1 , @bruceb58 , @tpenfield , @Lowlysubaruguy @Reserector_ and a few others that I am forgetting . . . do or have done boat upholstery.

 

[Scott Danforth]

I made a deal with a few local upholsterers to just do the skins and I did the foam, substrate and assembly

 

[ShoestringMariner]

I made a deal with a few local upholsterers to just do the skins and I did the foam, substrate and assembly

Great thinking. You must’ve picked up on my username LOL. I wish I hadn’t chosen it to be honest. Makes me sound like a cheapskate with tons of sailing experience. Truth as I am neither. And I will spend good money if the value is there. But I like to reduce my costs when I can do things myself and that is a great idea.

 

[Scott Danforth]

My mother has a gear drive singer that I used twice..... And put a needle thru my finger once.

I simply know my limitations. Plus while the skins were outsourced, I was fixing wiring

 

[chevymaher]

I used a couple old machines and wore one out LOL. I bought a heavy duty singer new. It did just fine finishing up. It was only a little over a hundred buck. I did my entire interior bow cover and convertible roof.

 

[ShoestringMariner]

I used a couple old machines and wore one out LOL. I bought a heavy duty singer new. It did just fine finishing up. It was only a little over a hundred buck. I did my entire interior bow cover and convertible roof.

A new singer for $100???

When was this and do they have more?

 

[tpenfield]

There has been a fair amount of discussion about sewing machines that are well-suited for upholstery.

There is quite a mix of machines among the members here. Nothing seems to be inexpensive anymore. I bought my machine 3 years ago for $500. It gained $300 in value sitting in my house!

Get some spare vinyl and see if you get good results with the wife’s machine making a few practice pieces.

 

[chevymaher]

A new singer for $100???

When was this and do they have more?

Here is the one I got. It is actually cheaper in this ad. I suspect it is being phased out. Buy extra bobbins soon as you decide to get it. Theyu are plastic and they are the weak point. But they will snap the needle off if you bind it. It isn't a joke it is a good machine. It is a home machine not industrial. So in professional use it will wear out but for home use it will last forever. I guess i had mine 4 years is when I did my interior and stuff i guess guesstimate.

Singer Classic 44S Sewing Machine

The Heavy Duty 44S sewing machine is designed with your heavy duty projects in mind, from denim to canvas. Thanks to the machine's powerful motor, you have extra high sewing speed to save you time. With adjustable presser foot pressure, you can also sew very lightweight sheers, and the stainless...

cloud-scent.myshopify.com

 

[Chris51280]

i used a 90 year old singer. metal gears and direct drive motor. (they made them with a belt too).
I tried the singer 4420 or so heavy duty that did not work because the timing slipped.
I used the old singer for all my upholstery and even used it for a canvas cover. I put a teflon foot on it that helped with the feeding so it would not stick to the vinyl. since you do not have a walking foot, you need to help push a bit with the long and heavy fabric. the machine is capable of going through multiple layers.
I also replaced the old light bulb with led because i melted the vinyl at the beginning once the fabric went too close.
I have never sowed anything before that and just went for it. I would do it again, was actually kinda fun