Making new covers for S-37

[tagalong]

I have a question. While niceneasy has been sprucing up the boat both outside and inside, I have decided to do new upholstery for the sofas, v-berth etc and so far, so good. What I have done is removed the old covers and am replacing with new, blue ones to match the exterior which I am sure many of you have seen on Phil's postings. My question is, has anyone done this before? We are debating whether to use velcro closings versus using zippers. I think zippers. I am actually a pretty fair seamstress and actually doing piping and all. Any thoughts or ideas would be greatly appreciated. We have taken the cushions apart and that is what I am using for a pattern. Happy holidays everyone!!

Tagalong

 

[Tim R.]

I did this on my previous boat(a Pearson 28). I used Sunbrella furniture grade material which is a little softer than the awning grade. We also used the old material as templates. I thought about velcro but opted for zipper because we reused those from the old cushions. We also reused the backing. Not a hard job but it was time consuming and I ended up with lots of pin holes in my hands when complete!

The upholstery in the Ericson is very nice but much of the exterior canvas is shot. Dodger and Bimini good but hatch covers, winch covers, lifeline cushions and sail cover all need to be replaced. So far I have done the sail cover and the lifeline covers. This winter I will do the winch and hatch covers. Big job as I have 7 winches 4 of which are ST.

 

[Prime Time]

Slip Covers

My step-mom made slip covers with velcro for all the cushions on the family Bristol 40. Easier than zippers. No need to remove the old upholstery.

 

[Tim R.]

My step-mom made slip covers with velcro for all the cushions on the family Bristol 40. Easier than zippers. No need to remove the old upholstery.

Good idea. I had a "smell" issue to deal with. They were the original wool covers.

 

[tagalong]

Tim, I will have to agree with you on that one. The old covers in the boat are wool and they do tend to hold odor. We got a softer more modern material. However, the old covers must be the original ones that came with the boat and there is no wear and tear anywhere that I have seen, but well past time for some updating.