Re-upholstering fabrics

[davidpbo]

We are considering re-upholstering our boat, a 23 ft Jeaneau Tonic. My wife has found fabrics from marine/caravan supplies at £35 per metre (and more) We don't want to overspend on this as it would never be reflected in its value.

What have people used and at what price please?
Did you use a fabric with additional properties?
E.g:
Flame retardant
Mold resistant

Can you use untreated fabrics and treat them?

What did you use for the fabric of the back of the cushions?

DId you replace the foam?
Where from?
Any sort of guide to price please?

 

[Honey]

When I did mine I bought a piece of crushed velvet through ebay having looked for "upholstery fabric". Did not worry about any treatment and used secondhand foam from an old three piece we were throwing out!
The only problem I had was that after it was all done I found that the foam I used (6") made for tight leg space under the table!

 

[Tranona]

By law it has to be fire resistant and mould resistant is an advantage. Although fabric is relatively cheap, foam (which also has to be fire resistant) is expensive. DIY is possible, but not easy unless you have experience and a good machine.

 

[Hydrozoan]

https://endoflinefabrics.co.uk/collections/all#upholstery-8646 often has 'ends' of good quality upholstery fabrics at very substantial reductions.

 

[pcatterall]

When I did mine I bought a piece of crushed velvet through ebay having looked for "upholstery fabric". Did not worry about any treatment and used secondhand foam from an old three piece we were throwing out!
The only problem I had was that after it was all done I found that the foam I used (6") made for tight leg space under the table!

+1 on this except we do buy our foam ( but use ebay or online dealers not 'marine specialists') we are lucky in East Lancs having still good sources of 'fent' lengths. Good quality fabric can be had
for under £5 per yard. My wife finds making them up a doddle.

 

[wheelie]

I've recently used Nu-suede from Dunelm, not too expensive, nice warm feeling to sit on, fire resistant, and 100% polyester so shouldn't go mouldy like the previous cotton based fabric. New foam was purchased from Ebay and cut with an electric carving knife against a wooden guide top and bottom to get a square cut.