07-16-2012, 08:37 AM
The last thing I did before covering in vinyl was glue on some headliner foam we had laying around the shop. This stuff was a little softer than the blue foam, but the main reason I put it on was to further smooth out any high or low spots. It was thin so it wouldn't really change the shape of the foam under it.
For the cover, I'll admit I got some help from my dear sweet mother
I've never used a sewing machine before in my life and I didn't want my cover to look like total ass so she helped me. Mom: "What part is this?" Me: "It's the seat" "But why does it have a hole in it?" "So I can put my foot in it 
" "...But why would you want to do that...?"
Then we went down to the fabric store to get some upholstery thread and heavy duty needles for her machine. I felt kind of out of place mixed in with all the old ladies, buying parts for my stunt bike!
Anyway, I didn't take too many pictures of these steps but I'll try and explain what we did. I like the pattern of the HT moto seats, so that's what we decided to do. I'm sure you could get away with doing a two or three piece cover, maybe top, front, and inside (I'll call it the "tube") but again, I like the look of more pieces.
First I marked the center line on the foam, then I drew on where I was going to have the seams. Next, I transferred that to some thin, semi sheer cloth for making patterns. Fold it in half to make it symmetrical. Remember to leave about an inch along the bottom for stapling! With the pattern pieces made, it was time to cut out the vinyl and stitch it all together. For each of the main seams, the center was sewn, then each side was folded over and a piece of cotton strap was sewn along the seam to reinforce it.
Half way done
Now it looks like the turtle neck from hell! All of the pins on the front edge are holding the cotton strap in place on the backside so it can be sewn.
The cover is all sewn up, and ready to be stretched and stapled on! Thanks, mom I love you!
For the cover, I'll admit I got some help from my dear sweet mother
I've never used a sewing machine before in my life and I didn't want my cover to look like total ass so she helped me. Mom: "What part is this?" Me: "It's the seat" "But why does it have a hole in it?" "So I can put my foot in it " "...But why would you want to do that...?" Then we went down to the fabric store to get some upholstery thread and heavy duty needles for her machine. I felt kind of out of place mixed in with all the old ladies, buying parts for my stunt bike!Anyway, I didn't take too many pictures of these steps but I'll try and explain what we did. I like the pattern of the HT moto seats, so that's what we decided to do. I'm sure you could get away with doing a two or three piece cover, maybe top, front, and inside (I'll call it the "tube") but again, I like the look of more pieces.
First I marked the center line on the foam, then I drew on where I was going to have the seams. Next, I transferred that to some thin, semi sheer cloth for making patterns. Fold it in half to make it symmetrical. Remember to leave about an inch along the bottom for stapling! With the pattern pieces made, it was time to cut out the vinyl and stitch it all together. For each of the main seams, the center was sewn, then each side was folded over and a piece of cotton strap was sewn along the seam to reinforce it.
Half way done
Now it looks like the turtle neck from hell! All of the pins on the front edge are holding the cotton strap in place on the backside so it can be sewn.
The cover is all sewn up, and ready to be stretched and stapled on! Thanks, mom I love you!