Seat Cover Template?

[crazi-85crx]

I'm trying to have seat covers that fit nicely with the shape of the stock seats in my 85 crx. the current material on there is pretty ripped up, so i cant use it as a template. if anyone has a template of the material shapes to cut-out and stitch or knows where there's one online then please help me out.

[crazi-85crx]

[lxndr]

I have never seen any patterns online and wouldn't trust them if I did. Most upholsterers (me included) would just pattern off of the foam in this situation.

[crazi-85crx]

thanks, i'll try.

[lxndr]

To pattern from the foam, lay a piece of scrap fabric over the foam and trace around the area with a piece of chalk. You should be able to see a depression in the foam where the old seams were, just follow the grooves and you should get a pretty acurate pattern. It will also help you to pin the fabric in place so it doesn't move around as you outline the area, just stab the pins into the foam, don't pin it like your grandmother does when she makes a quilt. Also, you can get a more acurate outline if you sharpen the chalk by nipping the tip with your scissors.

Once you have your outline, set it on a table and add 1/4" for seam allowance. You can test your pattern by sewing up a piece of scrap fabric before you cut into your material. Sometimes I don't add any seam allowance into the pattern or I cut the pattern small because I'm either using a stretchy vinyl or I want the cover tighter. This is why it would be a good idea for you to test the pattern before you cut into your more expensive fabric/vinyl, this way you can see if any changes need to be made. The pattern test will be especially helpful if you're using vinyl, because if you make a mistake with vinyl and have to take the stitch out you will either weaken the seam by adding more perforations when you re-sew it or you will have exposed holes from the previous stitch if you need to let it out a little. Something else that I have done when working with more difficult materials is to add a 1/2" seam allowance then cut it down to 1/4" when the cover is all sewn together.

Hope this helps get you started!

[crazi-85crx]

that's awesome, thanks!

[crazi-85crx]

i just swapped in some seats from a 89 or 90 prelude into my 85 crx and they're awesome. they're narrower with bigger bolsters, higher back, and raised base. fit perfectly. and both for just $50.

for seat covers, i'm going with black vinyl backing, grey polyester bolsters, and a black cordaroy center.