spitfire Posted November 25, 2011 Report Posted November 25, 2011 Hey everyone. Not intending to clutter the forum with my topics, but as I sit here with nothing to do, I have lots of time to think about what I want to do with the Chrysler lol. My car has seat covers that have been on for the life of the car. The seats haven't been exposed since after it left the showroom floor (from what I was told). The covers are starting to rip, now that the car has left it's 40 plus year barn slumber and is being used. The seats underneath appear to be nice, but what I can see is limited. Assuming the seats are in good shape after the covers are actually removed, I'd like to keep the seats covered with new covers. I saw that Kanter sells Mohair seat fabric kits, ready to go. Has anyone used these as seat covers? I kind of figured that they would look fairly accurate to what is underneath. Also, if I uncover the seats and find trashed fabric, I could just use the kit as intended. Kanter says that they have heard of people doing this, but they can't assure me it would work. I'm nervous about finding out they won't work after spending that kind of money. I'm not looking for something to hold back water, just something to protect against contact and sun light. Dan Quote
greg g Posted November 25, 2011 Report Posted November 25, 2011 There are several sets of vintage covers on ebay currently. One set is very mindfull of the Chysler highlander pattern. Didn't notice the seat applications ie coupe or sedan but they show up pretty regularly. Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted November 25, 2011 Report Posted November 25, 2011 guess the main question here is the Kanter covers..are these actuall slip on covers designed to go ver the existing seat or are these actually designed to be used in their stead? In other words are theydesgined to be the primary cover and as such hog ring into place in mirror image design of the originals. If just a slip on cover then you have a protective layer that is between you and the original and can be placed/removed as needed for cleaning.. Quote
Rusty O'Toole Posted November 25, 2011 Report Posted November 25, 2011 If your wife has a sewing machine you can make seat covers better and cheaper than you can buy. Tailored to your vehicle. It isn't hard. For complete directions there must be some good books on upholstery at the library or you may find something online. Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted November 25, 2011 Report Posted November 25, 2011 many books on upholstery..still one must have access to a sewing machine that will do the work on the heavier fabric..not necessary a walking foot but you should have a machine with a bobbin that is vertical and not horizontal..for some reason I have found these unit do a much better job on heavier fabrics and with the proper bobbin shuttle adjustment can eve handle the V90 thread.. Quote
greg g Posted November 25, 2011 Report Posted November 25, 2011 We made seat covers for ours but it a bizzy coupe lot less work. Used 8 yards of material from jo Anns clearence bin. For seat backs door panels and package shelf. All done at home on the Brother. Quote
JIPJOBXX Posted November 25, 2011 Report Posted November 25, 2011 Give this guys a call and see what they can do for you! This company I believe ust to a national francised bussiness. http://local.yahoo.com/info-22250135-surefit-seat-cover-store-tacoma Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted November 25, 2011 Report Posted November 25, 2011 I was given a web site once by a guy on here that does a bit of sewing..went there, found the fabric I was looking for..sent an inquiry and it was already sold..seems the company deals more with remenants than dealing in bulk..in ohter words..you get what they got at the time or you in the wind. Now for the sweet part..the man did have the information yet on fabric, gave me the comapny who produced it and such..called them..gave them the fabric number..over 500 yards available..but the price, well lets say it was not remenant priced..long story short..gave the lady my story...asked if there was fome sort of military or old fart discount..she laughed and aid she would sell it at the first time customer introduction rate..got it within a couple bucks of remenant price..so yes...shop around online..call the companies..they will work with you..if not..at least you tried..speciality shops however know the next guy will buy what you wish not to pay so much for..they do a service for the hobby..they have the original stuff for those going for 100 point cars..and that is why you pay thorugh the nose..these shops have the stuff specially woven, probably hold rights to the pattern/weave number and thus the mills cannot even produce and sell in their outlets..it is all supply and demand. As we all know though if you can trade off a bit you can have a nice interior for a lot less outflow of cash..that is the owners call, only they know what the really want..... Quote
Dodgeb4ya Posted November 25, 2011 Report Posted November 25, 2011 This is the standard typical industrial upholstry type of horizontal bobbin sewing machine to do automotive upholstry work. I have used this for years and it will easily sew through 1/4" of leather or fabric. Learning how to run one and do a do a professional job is the key! Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted November 25, 2011 Report Posted November 25, 2011 I have a brand new walking foot commercial sewing machine and sewing table..got the different size piping feet etc etc..weighs a friggin ton...sucker self lubes from an oil sump and pressure oil pump...am still playing with it..not quite ready to start sewing upholestry..still learning a bit...will start small..and by small will be one of my little British cars..they rather simple in seat design and such..I have a couple older machines with vertical bobbins and found one to be better than the other for sewing heavy fabric using commercial thread..the older single function machines can be had rather good price and more than not be tweeked to do basic seat cover and such for the average DIYer.. Quote
greg g Posted November 25, 2011 Report Posted November 25, 2011 In the seat cover thread I posted pic of the Upholstery project my wife and I did. She has some experience in sewing having done some classes, and sewed clothes with her mother (who's mother was an expereinced seamstress). We bought some pattern paper and basically traced the original upholstery which is still there but pretty beat. Using her knowledge of the allowences needed for seams and such. we used the patterns to transfer to the fabric, then sewed them together with HD upholstery thread and a commercial needle. The only area where we could have done better was at the rear of the cushion where it fits under the seat backs. It a little ragedy from not using enough material. But the only time it is noticable is when the seat is folded forward to access the space behind the seats. The fabric we chose is called whipcord. We had our eyes on some nice grey fine whale corduroy, but decided on this instead as it looked more durable. I believe its 8 or 9 years old and still looks like when it was installed. Quote
greg g Posted November 26, 2011 Report Posted November 26, 2011 Hey, How about a set of these????? Put em on your gift list!!! Quote
Rusty O'Toole Posted November 26, 2011 Report Posted November 26, 2011 You don't need a commercial machine for seat covers. An ordinary home sewing machine is fine. In fact I have heard of guys doing complete upholstery jobs with one, they took their time and did not use vinyl. In any case ordinary fabric will make fine seat covers, better than the cheap stuff they use for regular seat covers. Why not buy a few yards of material at a remnant store and have a go? Even if the material wears out in 5 years so what, you can make new ones. Quote
Dodgeb4ya Posted November 26, 2011 Report Posted November 26, 2011 You could even hand sew a set up. Quote
spitfire Posted December 9, 2011 Author Report Posted December 9, 2011 Thanks for all the great suggestions, everyone. Greg, your interior looks beautiful. Im sorry I haven't gotten back to all of you, I've been in the icu, three surgeries later, for the motorcycle crash. Ill review the posts more thoroughly and get back to you when I have access to a computer (im on my phone). Thanks everyone, Dan Quote
greg g Posted December 9, 2011 Report Posted December 9, 2011 At this point your recuperation your first concern, wishing you well. Quote
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