Upholstering books

[SteveGorst]

The time has come to replace the upholstery in the boat and give her a bit of a lift. A friend has suggested having a go ourselves but although we've got a sewing machine past projects have been much more basic than this. I've been on the amazon site and seen books for household projects but I don't think they are really relevant to us, does anyone know of a book that specialises in marine re-upholstering?

Cheers
Steve

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://"www.nwcc.info">North Wales Cruising Club</A>

 

[Stemar]

If all you're doing is replacing like with like, you don't need a book. Just take the old seat covers etc. apart carefully and use them as patterns.

If it gets more complicated, try your local library, they'll have a selection of books on the subject, most of which will probably go into great detail on how to stuff a chesterfield, but you should be able to glean enough to do the job.

One little suggestion, picked up from somewhere and worth considering - use water resistant upholstery material for tops and side, and a put a mesh panel in the bottom. This will help the foam not to get wet, but when it does, will help it dry out without getting smelly.

Have fun!

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Althorne]

Hi Steve
I had much the same idea except I wanted to do awning and all manner of things as well. I started with making cushion covers for boat, which were not there before so started from scratch. Was pretty good so actually made some curtains for the house. Bloody brilliant. Look almost as good as professional ones. Then got
A) The big book of boat canvas B) Practical boat canvas work C)The complete canvas workers guide all via Amazon for about £35 delivered. Be careful with A) because there are various editions and you need to get the latest, some try stuffing you older ones. All are similar but offer a bit different in each but A) or C) are best if not getting all. Mine is a home machine and with correct needles and bits you cancarry out almost anything you should need.
Mine is now at the point where I am earning abit making for others. So getting practice as well. Need anymore help PM me.
Roy

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[William_H]

Hello Steve Yes give it a go by all means. I found that fabric can be cheap or expensive. I opted for cheap cotton which has the advantage that you don't worry about staining or messing it up as it can be easily replaced and it dries easily. I assume that your major concern is the covers for mattresses which double as seat cushions. If you have foam matress that is ok then either use the old cover for a pattern or .. Mark out the plan size and shape on the fabric and add about 1 nch all round for a seam.
Do the same for the bottom. Cut out side panels the width of the mattress thickness plus 1 inch and as long as the length of the sides and ends. This can be joined easily. You just sew the edges together leaving the 1 inch from the sew line to the edge.
You will need to leave an opening to enable the whole thing to be turned inside out and to squeeze the matress into. The bigger the hole the easier it is. This can be a seam which is hand sewn after inserting the matress and should be in a hidden area as it won't look so good or I used a long length of hook and pile sewn into a slit in the middle of the adge that sits against the hull hidden.
This means you can easily remove the cover for washing. If you use cheap material you can afford to make mistakes and you will enjoy the project. Just use ordinary sewing thread polyester and normal dressmaking needles. regards will. ecstatic at the start of the sailing season glorious weather and great win yeaterday. Bank holiday today so have to go and do it all again today.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[SteveGorst]

Thanks all for your help and moral support!!

I really am a novice at this so need a book as a confidence booster. I found the big book of canvas on Amazon and it looks ideal for my purpose so will order that and as you suggested start off with some small cushions and cheap material till I have developed my technique and confidence.

Cheers
Steve

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://"www.nwcc.info">North Wales Cruising Club</A>

 

[AndrewB]

We've just completely re-upholstered our yacht ourselves. and are very pleased with the results, not having done that sort of thing before. Basically we followed Stemar's advice of picking apart the old and using it as a pattern. After a while we got ambitious and started making our own patterns.

I didn't have a book or manual but got a lot of advice and tips from the very helpful Hawke House people, particularly about such things as the best grade of foam to use in different applications (I spent an hour sitting and lying on different types at their workshop!). They also did the trickier foam cuts for us.

We did think of going down William_H's route of opting for cheap material and expecting to replace it quick, but after a trial decided that the amount of work involved didn't justify that approach. So we bought better quality fabrics from Hawke House that look good and should last. We also have made covers in cheap vinyl for the more exposed cushions in the main saloon, that are slipped on when dirty jobs are happening aboard or when it starts to get very wet.

<hr width=100% size=1>