How I made my boat seats.....(guide)

[fraannk]

Re: How I made my boat seats.....(guide)

I just got through reading the thread for the first time (there will be more) and I want to make sure I didn't miss the surprise about the 5/8 ply. I only live 45 minutes away so I will be coming over to borrow your machine. Great job!

 

[mrdjflores]

Re: How I made my boat seats.....(guide)

ahhh...good....another member that lives close by!!!!

been keeping tabs on fellow iboaters that are near me....might be contacting a few when it comes time to set the boat back on the trailer

and before i forget...welcome to iBoats !!!

 

[fraannk]

Re: How I made my boat seats.....(guide)

Actually I have been a member for almost 2 years but I rarely post because all of my questions have been asked and answered at one time or another by another member. I love the search function.

My wife is going to be so surprised when she gets the new sewing machine I just ordered for her from WalMart. Her machine broke about 7 years ago and I think it is about high time she was rewarded with a new one!

 

[mrdjflores]

Re: How I made my boat seats.....(guide)

just remember...if your new machine does not have a 3 position (side to side) adjustment for the needle, you need to get a sliding (side to side) zipper foot so you can get right up against the edge of the welting

 

[redfury]

Re: How I made my boat seats.....(guide)

Awesome work, I just watched your video series. I get the feeling that this thread is going to be referenced for years and have a couple of suggestions to make it more comprehensive for those that don't know some of the nuances to sewing ( myself included ).

What kind of thread are you using?
Any specific sewing pattern you have the machine set to?
Are the needles different than the standard needles you get for general purpose sewing?
How do you set the tension for the bobbin? ( I can't figure that out for the life of me )

Video of tying the skirting and the piping together. I think running the machine around the edge is pretty much straight forward, but sewing the back skirt seam and then pulling that together with the rest of the piping sewing would be helpful to be able to actually see being done.

Other than that, I think you did a great job on showing how to do a seat cover ( the chevron pattern is a nice touch, btw )

 

[thrillhouse700]

Re: How I made my boat seats.....(guide)

I would also like to know what kind of thread your using?

BTW this looks amazing!!!!

 

[mrdjflores]

Re: How I made my boat seats.....(guide)

Awesome work, I just watched your video series. I get the feeling that this thread is going to be referenced for years and have a couple of suggestions to make it more comprehensive for those that don't know some of the nuances to sewing ( myself included ).

What kind of thread are you using?
Any specific sewing pattern you have the machine set to?
Are the needles different than the standard needles you get for general purpose sewing?
How do you set the tension for the bobbin? ( I can't figure that out for the life of me )

Video of tying the skirting and the piping together. I think running the machine around the edge is pretty much straight forward, but sewing the back skirt seam and then pulling that together with the rest of the piping sewing would be helpful to be able to actually see being done.

Other than that, I think you did a great job on showing how to do a seat cover ( the chevron pattern is a nice touch, btw )

Thanks for the comments...to answer some of your questions..
When choosing thread, make sure you specifiy/look for marine/outdoor thread...what i used was called '4 oz. marine thread'
All the sewing i did was just a straight stitch, since i always went over my stitching one final time, it locks in the stitch very nicely.
As far as bobbin tension, most of them are the same. On the bobbin holder, you should see a small screw near where the thread passes through the holder, this screw adjust the amount of tension (small piece of flat spring steel)...you only have to adjust this very little.

I'll make sure to cover how you layup the side skirting and alignment better on my next seat

 

[fauxmeister]

Re: How I made my boat seats.....(guide)

Awesome thread and great job! Thanks for sharing!

 

[redfury]

Re: How I made my boat seats.....(guide)

I suppose now that you say it, it makes sense...I had no idea where to find the screw for the bobbin tension before you said it so plainly! lol

 

[BobsGlasstream]

Re: How I made my boat seats.....(guide)

Hey mrdjflores,
Very nicely done. I agree with the rest of the group, This thread will be a great reference for years to come.
Great Job.
Bob

 

[mrdjflores]

Re: How I made my boat seats.....(guide)

well...haven't made it back to the seats yet...have actually been laying some color on the hull...
but since our weather here is going to turn sour later this week, i'll be back at some of the cushions...and making videos of some of the areas that have been asked about...

post if there are any other areas that could use more explanations or clarification.

thanks

 

[mrdjflores]

Re: How I made my boat seats.....(guide)

i'll be starting back on these after this weekend...will be putting boat back on trailer and will be ready to finish up the seating and sewing

 

[tallcanadian]

Re: How I made my boat seats.....(guide)

Awesome..been waiting patiently. (tapping fingers)

 

[tlzimmerman]

Re: How I made my boat seats.....(guide)

Thanks for the video tutorial....great info. Will use it when I put seats in my boat.

 

[mrdjflores]

Re: How I made my boat seats.....(guide)

getting ready to get back onto finishing my seats...a few slight structural changes in them, primarily how they are going to be mounted...will post some new pics soon

 

[QC]

Re: How I made my boat seats.....(guide)

Sooooo glad this got bumped. I am going to make cushions soon although I don't think mine will have ply bases, but will sit more loose like outdoor furniture cushions. Other than the obvious need to secure them, is there any other reason I can't use this style?

My Mom bought Mrs QC this $3000 flippin' Bernina for Christmas:

It is awesome, but I'd take $2500 cash and a decent machine in a heartbeat :facepalm:

 

[Last Mohican]

Re: How I made my boat seats.....(guide)

Great work. Did you ever say what the "Better Machine" is?

 

[mrdjflores]

Re: How I made my boat seats.....(guide)

i dont recall if i put this in the thread or not....but the first seat, and maybe part of the second, was sewn using a cheap sewing machine from wal-mart or meijer's....but then got a real nice one from my grandmother...basically only using a straight stitch setting....i think a basic machine would work fine for doing a boat....now doing 100 boats is another story

 

[mrdjflores]

Re: How I made my boat seats.....(guide)

got me thinking now....
gonna have to go look at the machine tonight and see what it is...will post some info on it

 

[mrdjflores]

Re: How I made my boat seats.....(guide)

Sooooo glad this got bumped. I am going to make cushions soon although I don't think mine will have ply bases, but will sit more loose like outdoor furniture cushions. Other than the obvious need to secure them, is there any other reason I can't use this style?

My Mom bought Mrs QC this $3000 flippin' Bernina for Christmas:

It is awesome, but I'd take $2500 cash and a decent machine in a heartbeat :facepalm:

if they are fully soft cushions, that can get moved around also...you may want to move up to a heavier weight vinyl to help with any abrasion wear