I have a 1987 Hunter 23 and would like to know if anybody knows if there any prefab kits to replace the cushion covers sold anywhere or do I have to seek out a seamstress to accomplish this latest mission? Thanks
Replacing interior cushion covers
- Thread starter knotatwork2
- Start date
New covers improve the appearance, i.e. from a distance.
On cushions that old you really need new foam. No matter how attractive they become with new cover cloth, when you sit down and hit the hard surface or lay down and your hip bone is on solid substrate, you want new foam.
Opt for density at about 2.6. Factory stuff used to always be a bout 1.8, and goes "flat as a pancake" (when sat on) in less than a decade.
On cushions that old you really need new foam. No matter how attractive they become with new cover cloth, when you sit down and hit the hard surface or lay down and your hip bone is on solid substrate, you want new foam.
Opt for density at about 2.6. Factory stuff used to always be a bout 1.8, and goes "flat as a pancake" (when sat on) in less than a decade.
I do not think that there are any "kits". Sailrite has a bunch of How To videos on their website so it's just a matter of cutting and sewing. I did it myself on my '84 Hunter 34 and I had never sewed anything before. The first one sucked. After that I got the hang of it. Also, I used the old cushions. I just bathed them in water with some bleach to make them smell good and I replaced the batting.
I live in a very rural area and we still have "old-school" seamstress type people around. They tend to work by the hour but are so good at what they do, they don't take very long. I have had some things made and they are very inexpensive.
You're lucky. I would figure that having a complete set made by a marine upholstery professional would cost more than a 1987 Hunter 23 is worth.
I'm using a local seamstress but having trouble finding a reasonably priced fabric. The seamstress has some that are admittedly expensive (close to $50 per yard). What sources have people used for fabric? I'm attempting to re-upholster my v-berth cushions and having trouble finding a fabric I like for around $12 to $20 per yard.
[QUOTE="Scott T-Bird, post: I like for around $12 to $20 per yard.[/QUOTE]
Scott,
I have been very happy with these folks and they have some material in your price range.
https://www.sailrite.com/Fabrics/Ma...hions/type/Products?order=custitem_popularity
Scott,
I have been very happy with these folks and they have some material in your price range.
https://www.sailrite.com/Fabrics/Ma...hions/type/Products?order=custitem_popularity
Exactly right on (the money). I had some vinyl seats made for a custom bike (pedi-cab) and it cost me $800 at an auto/marine upholstery shop. After getting to know small businesses and craftspeople in my area better, I could have had it done for about $200 elsewhere.
Craigslist or word or mouth is the best way to find a work-from-home old school seamstress that works for cash on case-by-case basis. That's how I found my Tailor who fixes my suits and shirts, he is set up in his garage and charges me less than half of what any brick-n-mortar Tailor would.
Somewhere on this forum @Sumner posted links to the on-line stores where he got the foam for his Mac 26. Search his posts and I'm sure the links can be found.
for Sailrite - tons of choices to look at.
Scott:
If you're up in the Lakewood area, might want to try the Stitch n' Sew store on 123 East County Line Rd. They have TONS of different fabrics to choose from as well as everything else sewing related. We've found their prices to be quite reasonable.
If you're up in the Lakewood area, might want to try the Stitch n' Sew store on 123 East County Line Rd. They have TONS of different fabrics to choose from as well as everything else sewing related. We've found their prices to be quite reasonable.