Anyone attempted their own upholstery (seats)?
What method did you use and how did it come out?

I have the book - details how to do the original folded pleats with hidden stiches - The MK1 Mini use this method only instead of stuffing each pleat separately a sheet of cotton wadding was incorporated in the stitchup.

Later they switched to individual panels - each sewn along the edges - these had plastic foam stuck to the back of the vinyl.

Next they took a sheet of foam backed vinyl and ran a row of stitching up to make 'pretend' pleats.

From what I can tell the later two methods - although simple and in the third case easier - the stiching takes more of a beating and tears the vinyl. The original folded pleats with hidden stiches tends to give more - at least that is my humble observation - anyone care to discuss?

Guess I'm looking for justification to tackle the more complicated approach

_________________
David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!

Hey,

I did my front seats. Came out pretty good. I did them in normal vinyl (partly) and then wasn't happy with the finish and what people told me about it. Was going to do it again in marine vinyl but my mum offered to do it and you can't look a gift horse in the mouth. She did a great job I think.

We went the second option of individual panels.
Mine are only clubman seats. I removed the headrests and made them a little shorter and round on the top as I wanted lowbacks or as i call them fauxbacks. I can try and get some pics if you are interested.

if you are using a good quality upholstery thread just lessen the thread tension a little. You may also want to increase your presser foot pressure.

stitching vinyls a bitch because its so sticky. I had to get a Teflon coated presser foot.

I did my whole car.... theres pix on eiiiir somewhere

_________________

What sort of equipment do you guys need to do a job like this?
I assume you'd need an industrial type sewing machine at least.

_________________
1966 Morris Mini Deluxe
.... 4 bicycles and 3 screaming kids.

Only in the research phase but apparently a good quality domestic machine will do it with a heavy duty needle. Also need to apply some 'ticks of the trade' to get the material to slide smoothly - various methods - talc being one. Best method is with a 'walking foot' and these are mainly fitted to industrial machines - these appear to be selling under $500 on eBay so may look at this (as SWMBO is not happy about using her machine and mumbles "new machine") Could buy a secondhand one and sell again later.

_________________
David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!

Hey Wombat,

I used a standard machine for normal vinyl. The marine stuff (which has much higherUV protection) would go through on this but it didn't like it and I was scared I would let the smoke out. My mum has an old singer that is like 50 years old and that thing ate through it. I do believe it had a walking foot as well.

My plan if she didn't was to buy one on ebay, clean it up and use it and sell it again on ebay when its done. you would imagine that you would get about the same the second time around on ebay or maybe a bit more if you could get better pics/stuff.

Cheers
David

Ironically, we bought our present house from the head sewing machine mechanic from Berlei. Hence I have up to 80 year old parts from industrial sewing machines in my shed. Even have one industrial Singer sewing machine, but in pieces.
The old man passed away in 2005, so cant ask him to help.

_________________
1966 Morris Mini Deluxe
.... 4 bicycles and 3 screaming kids.

I have a badass 70's singer.

It will sew through steel..

It is just a regular duty machine but it will do leather and multiple layers of denim.

_________________

I don't know if it is the right thing for vinyl but I have seen silicone spray used on the surface of machines used in the fabric trade. It allows the material to flow without sticking or bunching up.

Can Be Done... We used a 196k5 Singer, plain foot. and patience's.. First up we pulled apart the old seat cover to use as the pattern. Used size 36 thread. To insert the foam, 2 pieces of tin with folded edges to fit together, with the foam inside, then slide tin and foam into the pockets, pull the tin. out. If you would like more info p.mess us, and will give you our phone number. Go for it . We have even made out own roof linings.

Is that a domestic one ? I think my daughter is sitting on my mothers old machine and not doing anything with it

_________________
David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!

my mate is an car upholsterer on the side of his normal job
did my back seats and they came out sweet.
I could ask em if he'd do some seats....
he's cheap to

Cheers Hoba

Me old girl had a similar one from 60's but she gave it away

Wombat, could you give details of this book? Havent come across one which specifically makes reference to Mk1 Mini seats.

Thanks
marc

_________________
1966 Morris Mini Deluxe
.... 4 bicycles and 3 screaming kids.