Homemade seat cover/door panels?

[ihatericeburners]

Has someone taken on this project and had good results. I was looking to buy some fabric and do it myself. Any tips or suggestions?

[kyull67]

I did mine with some corduroy houndstooth and a bunch of hog rings.

[ihatericeburners]

Thanks man. I was looking to do houndstooth as well, but as an insert with maybe suede on the outside and on the doorpanels? What did you do for your doorpanels? The same?

[beautimus]

First before you attempt this, Do you have a really heavy sewing machine?
You wont be able to get very far with a home sewing machine. i used to repair sewing machines, trust me, you need a good industrial quality machine.
I have a commercial machine in my basement, i have it to do some upholstery stuff, but i don't flatter myself enough to think i could do seat covers. Door panels are easy enough. start with those and if you enjoyed it and feel proud of the end result, then try the seat covers.
Upholstery really is an art, just like welding and painting, and all of the other talents it take to build a nice ride. Start off with the simpler stuff and move up.
when you take the old covers off, really look at how they are sewn together, take lots of pictures. use the old cover to make new pieces exactly the same size and shape. You can do this, but its gonna take a lot of patience and cuss words to get through it.
okay if you are still interested, the best materials that you are gonna find are in the cabella's catalog. they have the replacement materials that are meant for boat seats. That stuff is vinyl but looks and feels like leather.
it holds up to humidity and sun like nothing else and is pretty inexpensive. but the houndstooth stuff i have no idea on where to get it.
Thats about all i can tell you on upholstery. I have done some stuff but i don't have pictures. And none of it was anything i would be proud to put on the net. best of luck to you !!

[rscam]

Door panels nd kick panels are fairly easy. I get Lauan plywood at Home Depot. Its thin and light weight. Get fabric at any fabric store. A staple gun and some batting to give it a cushion look and go to town. Try to find some fabric that is somewhat elastic. Its easier to get out wrinkles that way. These doors are flat so the plywood fits real good. Take some time to line up window crank, door handle and armrest hole.

[rscam]

By the way if you get the door panel to thick its hard to get the window crank and door handle on.

[magsnubby]

If you have, or have access to, a heavy duty sewing machine:

http://www.classicroad.com/modelA/interior2.htm

[special-K]

Why not cover the steel panels?That`s what I`ve "had" done.I`ve thought about tackling my own upholstery.But,I found a great guy many years ago who treats me right.He had recently took over when his dad retired and now his son is running it.I`m good to go for another generation.

[allen123]

Nice name lol Me too