Sew Fine ?

camo westy · Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2007 3:45 am Post subject: Sew Fine ?

Anyone purchased interior upholstery from SewFine?

My '85 Weekender, has the typical 1985 cordurory seat covers that have turned back into dust. Funny , all 85 weekneders have saggy buts, and bare seats, I guess they should have exercised earluer in life,

bucko · Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2007 5:36 am Post subject:

You will be very satisfied with Sew Fine. As to the "saggy butt" problem, the foam (or lack of it) used 20 years ago deteriorates with age, moisture, sweat, and continuous use. Some manufacturers sell pre-fab foam kits for VW seats, but I've not seen them for Vanagon seats.
In some of the older Beetles I re-apholstered, the original padding was a horse hair pad over a box spring setup!

What I have done when a pad kit is not available was to buy square pieces of foam from fabric shops and trimed it to fit the seat bottoms and back. Then I've installed the new seat apholstery. If you're not comfortable doing this yourself, take the seats and seat covers to an apholstery shop. They will custom make new seat foam cushions for you, and install the seat covers at a reasonable price.

When done, the seats will be better than new.
_________________
Current VW drives: 1984 Westfalia

Past VW drives: 1967 Beetle, 1973 Beetle, 1977 Bus, 1971 Military Type 181

vwlovr · Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2007 9:41 am Post subject:

i bought the sewfine kit, i'm still installing it though so i don't have any good pics to show. so far the fit is nice. the carpet seems a little on the thin side, but the seat upholstery is top notch. i'll save final judgment on the carpet when it's installed.

noganav · Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2007 12:42 pm Post subject:

Sewfine did some seat covers for me a little more than a year ago. I'm very happy with the job they did, and I'm glad I went with these and not a seatcover, they look very slick.

They offer a pretty good deal because they already have patterns for Vanagon seats on hand. A local shop quoted me $350 per seat to redo the covers, total cost from Sewfine for both seats was $200ish.

I supplied my own fabric, which I chose from the bargain bin at a local upholstery shop, and sent it to them. I used the extra to re-cover the rear arm rest too.

They were reasonably easy to put on (early style seat, so no arm rests to worry about) just remember to be patient, and work the fabric over the seat without compressing the foam or springs so that they do not rip.

One thing I would have done differently is choose a fabric with UV resistant dye, mine are starting to fade, but still much better than what was there before. Go for it, you won't be sorry.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

More pictures here:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=155344

bucko · Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2007 1:27 pm Post subject:

Wow noganav, you won't have any trouble finding carpet or curtains to match those seats! I am stuck with the browns and tans to match my 84's cloth seat material.

I wish I had some color like that to work with!
_________________
Current VW drives: 1984 Westfalia

Past VW drives: 1967 Beetle, 1973 Beetle, 1977 Bus, 1971 Military Type 181

levi · Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2007 1:35 pm Post subject:

I went with sewfine in my ex 1986 ...also did the side panels, back seats and cushions.

_________________
One of these days I'm gonna settle down,
but till I do I won't be hangin round.
Going down that long lonesome highway,
gonna see life my way

https://youtu.be/cSrL0BXsO40

Pascal · Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2007 5:52 pm Post subject:

"Some manufacturers sell pre-fab foam kits for VW seats, but I've not seen them for Vanagon seats. "

Sew Fine now sells the replacement foam for Vanagons. I think I would want to check with them if you have an 84 because they list them as the same as 85-91 and I think they are slightly different.

snowleopard · Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2007 7:05 pm Post subject:

I had no idea of this company and I'm totally jazzed to see their website. I'm already planning my new interior as a result. THIS is why this website rocks!
_________________
85 Westy: The Green Machine
PCT Hiker: Mexico to Oregon on Foot
(It was faster than a Westy going up an incline)

61 BUS · Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2007 7:11 pm Post subject:

Wow...I think I'm having a '60s flashback..... Shocked

camo westy · Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2007 7:59 pm Post subject:

I spoke with sewfine today, Caroline was very very helpful, perhaps an interior designer for Vanagons.
I have samples on the way, some good ideas. Good folks I think!

I'm off to put left overVanagon parts on Ebay to pay for new upholstery.

lovedavdubs · Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2007 8:54 pm Post subject:


Hello! Log in or Register \| Help \| Donate \| Buy Shirts	See all banner ads \| Advertise on TheSamba.com

	Forum Index -> Vanagon	All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time
Page 1 of 1