Upholstry

[johnr9q@yahoo.com]

I am brand new to Model A's but recently bought a 1931 Slant windshield Fordor. The Upholstry is in fair shape. It has been stored in a container for 60 years. I want to use the existing seat covers as a pattern and make new ones just like the old ones. I was told MAFCA publication "How to Restorer Your Model A Vol 1, Top and Upholstry was a good source. Any ideas? I have pictures but can't drag them here from my pictures folder.

 

[nkaminar]

I have done the upholstery on cars, boats, and my camping trailer. It takes some practice to get good at it. Using the existing seat covers is a good idea. When I have done that I have separated the parts using a seam ripper. Take photos and notes as you take the upholstery apart so that you have a record to guide you. I have a heavy duty sewing machine that I bought from www.sailrite.com. There are several ways to join the pieces before sewing. One way is with staples and another is with seam tape. What experience do you have with sewing projects?

Welcome to the Barn and to the Model A community. After you have a few posts you will be able to post photos.

 

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

I am brand new to Model A's but recently bought a 1931 Slant windshield Fordor. The Upholstry is in fair shape. It has been stored in a container for 60 years. I want to use the existing seat covers as a pattern and make new ones just like the old ones. I was told MAFCA publication "How to Restorer Your Model A Vol 1, Top and Upholstry was a good source. Any ideas? I have pictures but can't drag them here from my pictures folder.

As someone who owns a Model-A upholstery shop, allow me to suggest a few things. If you don't already have one, a walking-foot sewing machine is a must on multi-layer assemblies. Purchase a good quality machine that holds its timing and doesn't miss stitches. Those machines often show up on social media sales sites.

Next, I would start by building your skills on fabricating trim welting. You cannot spend enough practice time just running your machine where you have habitual control. Next I would begin the layout and sewing on a bar stool type cushion using scrap or salvage piece goods. Then, I would practice on layout and sewing pipes in fabric, -again using scrap materials. To be good at sewing straight pipes requires a lot of practice. There are many YouTube videos on sewing seat covers that tips or tricks can be viewed however I think it is worth saying that most people would struggle sewing seat cushion covers that look presentable without at least several hundred hours of practice under their belt.

 

[nkaminar]

www.sailrite.com has good heavy-duty walking-foot sewing machines at a reasonable cost. Brent above is advising using a walking-foot machine and I do too. I have had my Sailrite machine for over 20 years and it has served me well.

Update: I tried a used commercial machine at first and it was too difficult to use. The Sailrite machines have a variable speed motor and can be run very slowly, even one stitch then stop. Plus, the commercial machine I tried did not have the walking-foot, that clamps the material on both sides when advancing for the next stitch.

I am not affiliated with Sailrite, I just like their machines and materials. They are a good company to do business with.

 

[desotoguy]

If you are considering a used machine, I suggest that you stay away from a commercial type machine with a clutch motor, those things run continuous and at speeds not meant for inexperienced upholstery work. Go for a walking foot machine with a servo motor. This type machines are much easier for a first time user.

 

[johnr9q@yahoo.com]

I do have an old Singer industrial sewing machine that is probably older than my Model A. I have sewn a bunch of cushions, nothing fancy, but they came out looking pretty good. BRENT in 10-uh-C said I should have a couple hundred hours of experience so maybe I am biting off more than I can chew?

 

[Tacoma Bob]

Many communities offer credited and non-credited courses in all kinds of things. check your area out. Don't be too concerned about industrial power machines with clutch motors. They can, for the most part be retrofitted with the servo motor. I have owned 2 stand alone upholstery shops and always worked out of my home shop as well. As suggested above check out the Sail-Rite website. The machine offerings look pretty good to me and prices are attractive. You can buy brand new for what you might pay for a good used machine. Keep asking questions and the trust me there's much more to trimmin than a sewing machine.

 

[Gene F]

Brent, I get the feeling from your post that those machines are no longer being made???

 

[rotorwrench]

When I purchased my first machine, (Consew 206RB-3) it had been used in a western style furniture manufacturing company and the operators knew little about proper maintenance and adjustment. Fortunately the owner sold it to me cheap. I suspect they had had problems with it since adjustments were out of whack. The clutch motor had a worn out clutch so I put an electronic drive motor on it. A clutch motor in good shape can be feathered for slower operation but they still tend to run away from you if your not careful.

If you get any walking foot machine, I suggest checking the timing adjustments and really get to know it first. Just something like thread tension and bobbin maintenance is important to know before even starting a project. My first project was stitching up a simple cover for the machine to keep it clean. The machines are oiled before each use or daily on big projects so dust will stick everywhere. I also stitched up some simple cushions in my learning process. Get comfortable working it before trying the complicated stuff.

Doing pleats and welting can be complicated depending on procedures used and using a welt foot and such. Their is a lot to know in doing this type of work. Some tools can be fabricated but some are easier purchased. The Machine is by far the most complicated tool.

 

[nkaminar]

John, Since you have some experience, I say go to it. You can always use a seam ripper to take thing apart and re do them. A good sewing machine makes all the world of difference difference. Look at the Sailrite machines.

Brent mentioned piping. I have an attachment that allows me to sew piping fairly easily.

 

[SwampLedge]

I am a hobbyist. I do not feel “expert” enough to sell my upholstery skills. But I got great satisfaction from doing my own.

The nice thing about doing your own upholstery is that, for the cost of materials and your time, you can learn to do it, and do it over again if you don’t like how it turned out. I had no sewing experience, bought a Sailrite machine with servo motor, practiced a few seams guided by YouTube videos, then built a seat cushion set for our beat up golf cart as practice for doing my Model A interior. The golf cart set is imperfect, but has been presentable enough to get compliments from those who have seen it. My Model A interior has received many compliments, but I won’t post it here so as not to offend the purists, as it is not a restoration, but a simple two color vinyl hot rod style.

Take it one step at a time, and you can do it.

One warning that I learned from my time on upholstery forums is that you may not want to use the old covers for patterns, as they may have stretched over the years. Sailrite sells a clear plastic material that is ideal for making your own patterns. Use the old covers as a guide to the separate panels you’ll need, but make your own patterns from the structure you’ll be covering.