This is a bolster seat I am working on. It has turned out pretty nice except for this wrinkle. I do not have a steamer and not sure if that would fix it anyway. I have tried steaming hot wet towel and I have tried a commercial blow gun. No change.
What do I need to do different to prevent this from happening?
http://i608.photobucket.com/albums/tt168/srl520/Projects/P1070568.jpg
http://i608.photobucket.com/albums/tt168/srl520/Projects/P1070567.jpg
Do you have listings/pulls/stretchers under that seam? Or is it just sewfoam and a regular seam? I'm guessing you used sewfoam since the piece looks "puffy".
June
QuoteWhat do I need to do different to prevent this from happening
If you're asking how to avoid the problem next time---It looks like the one section moved on you a bit sewing it, so lots of reference marks and staples is all I can offer as your patterning must be okay for everything else to look so good.
If you're looking to get rid of this wrinkle---It isn't real bad; I would try opening it up and add add a little unbounded terylene (Teddy bear guts) and it should behave for you. ;)
the seam does look a puffy june but I was wondering if there was .. id use 1/2" glued to the vinyl and I don't think id see a pucker like that.. and ive nevr not been able to remove that with a heat gun and some tugging
Quote from: JuneC on March 19, 2013, 04:03:43 pm
Do you have listings/pulls/stretchers under that seam? Or is it just sewfoam and a regular seam? I'm guessing you used sewfoam since the piece looks "puffy".
June
Yes, it is sew foam and regular seam. I was sure to cut pieces all with the same grain.
Quote from: Darren Henry on March 19, 2013, 04:14:17 pm
QuoteWhat do I need to do different to prevent this from happening
If you're asking how to avoid the problem next time---It looks like the one section moved on you a bit sewing it, so lots of reference marks and staples is all I can offer as your patterning must be okay for everything else to look so good.
If you're looking to get rid of this wrinkle---It isn't real bad; I would try opening it up and add add a little unbounded terylene (Teddy bear guts) and it should behave for you. ;)
You have the same idea as I did. I was going to put some foam behind it to fill it out a little and it will look alittle better.
I was originally taught to roll the vinyl out and stretch it some and staple at edges to hold. Then place patterns, mark and cut. Then when you cut pieces, sew and install there would be a little more stretching needed. I have never practiced this way and wondering if maybe I should to illuminate the wrinkles. Any thoughts?
I am surprised heat did not take that out, do not heat directly on the wrinkle, but heat around it, as the surrounding area cool and shrinks it will pull the wrinkle out...I have heated wrinkles far worse than that out...honestly though it look really nice and I doubt a customer would say anything about that, of course it would bother me still
Two suggestions;
For this job-Heat gun, apply wet towel, heat, cool a few more times.
For future jobs-Try cutting with a smaller seam allowance, but sew using the same allowance as you've been doing.
Rich
Quote from: JDUpholstery on March 19, 2013, 08:10:22 pm
I am surprised heat did not take that out, do not heat directly on the wrinkle, but heat around it, as the surrounding area cool and shrinks it will pull the wrinkle out...I have heated wrinkles far worse than that out...honestly though it look really nice and I doubt a customer would say anything about that, of course it would bother me still
I will try heat again. I was thinking of taking it apart again and pulling it taught and sewing. Oh, this one is in my boat and I plan on it being my example of my work to generate me more business.
Quote from: Rich on March 20, 2013, 03:47:47 am
For future jobs-Try cutting with a smaller seam allowance, but sew using the same allowance as you've been doing.
Rich
Yes, this is what I was thinking I will need to do.
Thanks
Very nice work!
It is done now and installed, have you tried adjusting the leading edge of the bolster toward the center of the vehicle ............just a bit, it won't take much.
Is this a boat seat and it is stapled on the lower edge of the bolster?
Try the rotation effort with you hands doing the turning at the front edge to see what reaction you get at the little pucker.
All that said, this is a suggestion for next trip, note the stretch in your sew foam. The reasoning which may or not be correct is; the sew foam might not want to stretch in that area.
Again, very nice work. Your top stitching is darn nice. What vinyl did you use?
The cover is fine, I might come off critical, but not, instead it would probably fit perfectly with a little twisting and a touch of steam in the area of concern. what holds the cover in that position has a lot to do with the approach to pull it just slightly to get it smooth.
In other words, undo (pull staples for example if it applies), twist and resecure might work. In using the term "twist", I merely mean roll the french seam over the top of the bolster toward the inside of the bucket seat. That will take the fullness there out, but how to keep the cover there will depend on how it is attached on the inside of the bolster.
Doyle
I agree id be happy and with likemsaid a little puuling a d heat im sure it would be gone.
SlR did you glue the seefoam to the vinly ? Some dont It looks to me like you didnt. But i do. One thing if you do on a inside curve not like yours If there is a fabir on the foam glue the fabrid to the vinyl
Dont sandwich the fosm brtween fabrid layers on a inside curve. But thsts just not the case here.
Quote from: DB on March 20, 2013, 05:47:05 am
All that said, this is a suggestion for next trip, note the stretch in your sew foam. The reasoning which may or not be correct is; the sew foam might not want to stretch in that area.
Boy isn't that the truth... I've been bitten by that particular problem on more than one occasion. My favorite sew foam is Keyston's latest "special" (not "premium") sew foam. The scrim backing is super stretchy in all directions.
June
Mike, I think, is the one that brought up something that I knew but forgot to mention and that was in "inside curves' one can remove bulk in the area and reduce the incompatibility of "stretch" between foam and finish material by cutting out the sew foam in the area of concern. I see this in boat seats, just finished a fairly complicated set for an expensive bass boat where the factory cut out the foam, therefore I surely did it also.
Since we are talking about the contributors to small wrinkles, I also noted, or have noted, on some marine work where the selvate is cut down to about 1/8 th inch to get the material to lie flat in "inside curves".
Technology just keeps marching on, we can learn alot from our experiences and noting what the factories do. I seem to look over everything the factory did on marine seats and auto seats. Well, I guess I do the same on my furniure work also. When a factory does so many of a thing, they usually find out what works. This all gets back to efficiency and better quality. My last marine interior , I guess the customer intuitively knew I put effort into his seats, he tipped me $50 bucks. Nice to know some appreciate it.
June: The keystone backing, is it real soft? I got some sew foam with that type of backing and it spoiled me also. I did have fun working with it. Most of my sew foam work is on auto and these newer cars use a lot of stuff as thin as about 1/8 th inch. I use some thin cloth headliner material if I don't have the actual foam in that thickness.
Doyle
Thanks for all responses,
I will try the heat again first, then take staples out and twist and reposition.
I sew all the foam, no glue. I felt there was less chance for pucker and wrinkles if the foam can float per say.
I just use standard 1/8 foam not the premium.
Seats are in a Formula Boat and I have copied the work that was original when I took all these pieces apart. There where areas in these seats that did not have foam and areas that did. All was sewn.
1/8th inch? Maybe that's the problem, I would think 1/2" or even 1/4".
Rich
it looks to me as is the vinyl was loose friom th foam as you say it is id glue and use 1/2" foam for a nice puffy look
I will post pic this week. Problem fixed.
First a correction, I used 1/4" sew foam. I just was not happy with the way this skin fit. It was to loose. I took apart the seam that was wrinkled and took it in and was careful not to pull on to much on either pieces when sewing. The wrinkle was better and my wife says you would not notice it. Well I still new it was there.
I decided it was time to go buy a steamer and "Wulla" the wrinkle is gone and the skin fits much better. I am happy with it now.
Like I said, I will get some finished pics this week.
Thanks for all the helpful responses.
cool
glad you got it resolved, and the investment in a steamer will pay for itself in no time reducing things like this happening again....with vinyl heat is nexcessary!
where was that video from East coast customs where the guy showed a heat alternative without
a steamer. ?
He used a microwave to heat towels in a bowl of water and used them to heat out the wrinkles.
rich
Quote from: fragged8 on March 27, 2013, 04:55:47 pm
where was that video from East coast customs where the guy showed a heat alternative without
a steamer. ?
He used a microwave to heat towels in a bowl of water and used them to heat out the wrinkles.
rich
I saw that video. I tried it, but it still did not work the same.
Here are pic of finished product.
http://s608.photobucket.com/user/srl520/media/Projects/P1070589.jpg.html
http://i608.photobucket.com/albums/tt168/srl520/Projects/P1070590.jpg
http://i608.photobucket.com/albums/tt168/srl520/Projects/P1070591.jpg
(https://forum.upholster.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi608.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Ftt168%2Fsrl520%2FProjects%2FP1070589.jpg&hash=54a41a3d39e40e4974b46847126ad29a)
Again, very good work.
Doyle
They look great! You should be proud of yourself and they'll serve you well as an example of your skills. Go-fast helm and passenger seats are not trivial.
June
SRL, it would be interesting to hear you say after haveing done a dozen of these seats, what the hours would be for you do one to include making patterns and the whole seat?
Give it some thought, I am thinking the time after a dozen, will be significantly less for you have gathered a bundle of knowledge and skills that offer pay back.
Again, congratulations, wish I could be there to share the enjoyment.
Did you say where you are from? Mind offering a general idea, I don't encounter your qualites at that work just every day.
Thanks,
Doyle
Here is a little history. I bought a brand new Econosew 10yrs ago and decide to try making something with it. Never had any experience. Used it off and on for first 8yrs to just do small repairs and some cushions here and there. 2yrs ago I decided I wanted to really take this further and redo the upholstery in my boat. I really didn't know how to even make the patterns and allowances. I figure I could save myself quite a bit of money. I lingered on her for quite some time and learned alot. (Thanks to all by the way).
I went to a upholstery class for 5days and that was all the hands on training I got. The rest was trial and error and mostly error. I was a carpenter at one time so the wood repairs where not difficult.
Here is the start. Had to rebuild the corners of the rear seat.
http://s608.photobucket.com/user/srl520/media/Projects/P1020344.jpg.html
http://s608.photobucket.com/user/srl520/media/Projects/P1020374.jpg.html
http://s608.photobucket.com/user/srl520/media/Projects/P1030380.jpg.html
Then the rest of the bench. I still have to redo the center cushion.
http://s608.photobucket.com/user/srl520/media/Projects/P1030375.jpg.html
Then the Hatch.
http://s608.photobucket.com/user/srl520/media/Projects/hatch_40.jpg.html
Then I got crazy with the audio system.
http://s608.photobucket.com/user/srl520/media/Projects/P1060216.jpg.html
Then it took another year of doing other friends stuff to feel I was ready to tackle these bolsters.
As far as hours, I am very slow. I don't know how I could make a living at it. I don't think I could get anyone to
pay me for all the hours I have into this upholstery project.
Yes, the next time will go better, but very time consuming.
look great that audio system is sick. is that a ninetys formula?
where do you boat at?
Yes, it is a 93' Formula 357. Great boat.
We spend most of the time on Lake Mead
Nice Work! and you will get faster with practice. Upholstery work is like playing an instrument; you can read books, forum post and watch youtube videos until your blue in the face but it takes practice and a lot of it.
I still have a long way to go and am very slow myself, so I do upholstery work mostly during the slow times of my boat repair business. I enjoy doing this work and look forward to the increase of speed!
Tim
Sweet! We love Formulas, but right now have a Baja 38 Special. Whatcha got under the hood?
June
niced boats I saw a lot when I was on lake winipesaukee NH in the 90s I had 2 in the 20's in the past
Quote from: JuneC on March 30, 2013, 09:06:22 am
Sweet! We love Formulas, but right now have a Baja 38 Special. Whatcha got under the hood?
June
Under the hood is all stock. 502's, turn the key and go. No problems/hassels
june did you ever finish the interior?
Looks great. I was gonna guess early 90's boat since the rear was all wood like that. I got into this gig the exat same way. 94 scarab w/ rotten hatch and rear seat. Did all the wood myself and took the interior to a shop that after 18 weeks didn't do a thing ! Bought a machine , took some classes , practiced on everything I could. The next season had a nice new interior! Guess in lake mead you'd want nothing but white. Just a bit hot there in the summer.
Quote from: srl520 on March 31, 2013, 09:44:40 am
Under the hood is all stock. 502's, turn the key and go. No problems/hassels
That's some serious power there! Bet it's a screamer.
Mike, I did finish the interior but I got so burned out on that boat I was ready to light it up and roast marshmallows. There are several pieces I'm not happy with and want to re-do after I get over my frustration with it. It was just a huge job. After having done it, I wouldn't even consider another one for less than $12 or $13 grand (I rebuilt all the structure in plastic, new foam, etc.)
June
I know what you meen on the burnout on it , I bartered a canvas and some upholstery on a Bertram for the larson I got rebuilt motor I had to install rebuild the O/D and all new vinyl and carpet + new hull graphics, one thing im not happy on a piece my brother did. but ill do something when the time comes but im redy to use my boats for a while,
I almost got into it again when I was called about some canvas on a deckboat the guy was selling a old one and offered a trade I didn't feel like all the work involved again