How to Upholster Boat Seats

These Malibu boat seats have had some bad repairs over the years, and were left for dead. Step by step I show you how I took these derelict seats from garbage to awesome. Tools and materials are shown, so you can do it too. Not noted is my thread, I used anti-wick UVR bonded polyester.

[@georgehawkins1609]

Amazing work. I have an older industrial sewing machine and will be doing an exact bench seat for my four winns. I just did the larger sun deck and I am happy with it but you make everything look so easy Ie, the piping, the French seam even the assembly. I cannot wait to use some of your techniques. Thank you.

[@j9theupholsterer]

Thank you so much, good luck to you on your upcoming project!

[@romanlembersky5303]

Excellent work, good luck.😊

[@j9theupholsterer]

Thank you

[@gillewis6666]

Beautiful job!

[@j9theupholsterer]

Thank you!

[@luismarceloalvarezjacome4151]

Excellent work congratulations 👏

[@j9theupholsterer]

Thank you ✌️

[@yazadtafti3224]

amazing work!!

[@j9theupholsterer]

Thank you!

[@leedale4008]

Very nice job. 👍

[@j9theupholsterer]

Thank you

[@leedale4008]

@@j9theupholsterer You are very welcome and very talented. The world needs more people like you with real skills instead of tapping on computers. Keep it up.

[@j9theupholsterer]

@@leedale4008 I appreciate that :)

[@sitrep123]

you do fine work... !!

[@j9theupholsterer]

Thank you :)

[@LisaSmith-oo1uv]

Very nice

[@j9theupholsterer]

Thank you :)

[@CeeJayCarter]

Awesome work! For hypotheticals, what would you normally charge for this exact job on those 2 cushions? I’m trying to get an idea of how much it would cost me to get it done or if I should try to do it myself. I know that it does vary on cushions, size, materials, design etc tho. You make it look easy but you are really skilled!
Thanks

[@j9theupholsterer]

Thank you! Pricing can vary greatly for many reasons, but you could expect to pay $900 CAD for these 2 cushions where I am located.

[@CeeJayCarter]

@@j9theupholsterer ahh okay thank you. Too bad you’re not in Florida.

[@jcgrumman7418]

Great work! Looks like you trimmed off some seem allowance from the old vinyl then added it back later? Do you always sew foam onto the back of the vinyl?

[@j9theupholsterer]

Thank you, yes I did trim the seam allowance and add it back later. That way I can adjust how much I want. I often sew foam on the back, but not always. It depends on the job/application, and the thickness varies also.

[@karinvail]

you said you use thread anti-wick UVR bonded polyester, is it tex90? Or thicker?

[@j9theupholsterer]

I often use 92, but occasionally thicker. It depends if the stitch is visible and if it needs to match existing stitching. I've never had an issue with 92 being too small and failing on a seat.

[@notgivennotgiven7776]

Is this your house band? I'm digging them.

[@j9theupholsterer]

No, I just dig them too :D

[@notgivennotgiven7776]

@@j9theupholsterer that woulda been cool if the camera panned over and there was a band playing in the corner

[@j9theupholsterer]

@@notgivennotgiven7776 Yes, that would've been cool! If I can make that happen in the future, I will :)

[@AlanAllred-d7c]

Can you let us know where you buy your vinyl products?

[@j9theupholsterer]

Supply availability varies depending on your location. My suppliers are wholesale only, but I try to mention the info necessary for people to search locally for similar products. I often use Softside marine vinyl for boat seating which is available from many online sources.

[@gleward]

Why do you sew the foam to the back of the vinyl?

[@j9theupholsterer]

It gives it some added fullness to the cover.

[@JLL307320]

What material did you use for your fabric pull?

[@j9theupholsterer]

I used some scrap vinyl, but anything reasonably strong will work. As long as the staples don't pull through easily.