The Ford Barn

Ralph Moore · 12-09-2014, 11:09 PM

I'm looking for a place that will make replacement upholstery from the old seat covers. About ten years ago I did a 1970 ford pickup, pulled covers and sent them to the place and they made new covers. They sent me some samples first. They were very reasonable. But CRS has taken hold and I have no idea who they were , what little I remember is they were in SD, or somewhere in that area?
Anyone know of such a place?
Thanks,
Ralph

Sixseven · 12-10-2014, 04:08 AM

If you are looking for the 70 ford you might contact TMI. They specialize in materials for 60's era mustangs so they may have the correct materials for your year. I had them do a custom set of seat covers which they did great with. Between these two attributes, they are at least worth a call.

Ken

Ray Balukas · 12-10-2014, 10:16 AM

If you don't mind shipping, call Auto Trim. Located on Shefield Rd Manchester N.H. Talk to Charlie, he'll hook you up. 603-668-2756

rotorwrench · 12-10-2014, 10:45 AM

Most trim shops can do what you are asking. The covers have to be in good enough condition to be relatively accurate for size or they would need the dimensions of your spring box structures. If they are a bit large, you just need more padding to fill them out. I'd just look for a more local shop that folks have had good luck with and ask them. Lebaron Bonney has some excellent U-Tube videos on installing upholstery. SMS auto fabrics has a lot of the OEM type fabric for the old Mercs but may be geared more for 49 thru 51s I don't know.

I bought an old walking foot Consew sewing machine from an add on C-list and started doing my own. The investment in the machine has been paid for several times over and I've gotten to be able to sew a pretty staight line with some practice.

Willit Stop · 12-10-2014, 11:25 AM

Cartouche is another company that sells kits.I installed a headliner in my coupe made by them.It fit perfectly.I did the seats and panels myself with a period correct household Singer.The machine wasn't happy but it worked.Doing it yourself will save a bunch of money and it isn't all that hard.Including the machine($15),material,headliner($200),padding,carp et etc.I spent well under $500.I recently bought a Necchi commercial machine.It's not as good as a walking foot,but it works good enough for me.

john worden · 12-10-2014, 11:29 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

LeBARON-BONNEY does custom work.

cmbrucew · 12-10-2014, 11:36 AM

Do not try with a Singer made in the last 20 years or so, plastic gears!!!!!
Bruce

Ralph Moore · 12-10-2014, 11:53 AM

Not for the 70, I have a small bench seat that I'm trying to adapt to my hot rod. It has good covers for a pattern, but of course I want it done in the older pleated style.

rotorwrench · 12-10-2014, 01:11 PM

Pleating takes some calulation to get it right but a lot of trimmers do it on a regular basis. Hidden seam pleats are the most difficult. Visible stitch types are easy and look OK as long as all the stiches are all in a straight line.

Ralph Moore · 12-10-2014, 01:49 PM

Visible is ok with me, I think there is only one local shop, therefore price is high. The one I used before was only a couple hundred plus shipping Bach and forth. It's been a few years so I'm sure it's gone up. But just looking for options.

12-09-2014, 11:09 PM	#1
Ralph Moore Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: North Pole, Alaska Posts: 1,470	Upholstery shops? I'm looking for a place that will make replacement upholstery from the old seat covers. About ten years ago I did a 1970 ford pickup, pulled covers and sent them to the place and they made new covers. They sent me some samples first. They were very reasonable. But CRS has taken hold and I have no idea who they were , what little I remember is they were in SD, or somewhere in that area? Anyone know of such a place? Thanks, Ralph

12-10-2014, 04:08 AM	#2
Sixseven Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 482	Re: Upholstery shops? If you are looking for the 70 ford you might contact TMI. They specialize in materials for 60's era mustangs so they may have the correct materials for your year. I had them do a custom set of seat covers which they did great with. Between these two attributes, they are at least worth a call. Ken

12-10-2014, 10:16 AM	#3
Ray Balukas Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Deerfield N.H. Posts: 294	Re: Upholstery shops? If you don't mind shipping, call Auto Trim. Located on Shefield Rd Manchester N.H. Talk to Charlie, he'll hook you up. 603-668-2756

12-10-2014, 10:45 AM	#4
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,436	Re: Upholstery shops? Most trim shops can do what you are asking. The covers have to be in good enough condition to be relatively accurate for size or they would need the dimensions of your spring box structures. If they are a bit large, you just need more padding to fill them out. I'd just look for a more local shop that folks have had good luck with and ask them. Lebaron Bonney has some excellent U-Tube videos on installing upholstery. SMS auto fabrics has a lot of the OEM type fabric for the old Mercs but may be geared more for 49 thru 51s I don't know. I bought an old walking foot Consew sewing machine from an add on C-list and started doing my own. The investment in the machine has been paid for several times over and I've gotten to be able to sew a pretty staight line with some practice. Last edited by rotorwrench; 12-10-2014 at 10:56 AM.

12-10-2014, 11:25 AM	#5
Willit Stop Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Eureka Calif. Posts: 969	Re: Upholstery shops? Cartouche is another company that sells kits.I installed a headliner in my coupe made by them.It fit perfectly.I did the seats and panels myself with a period correct household Singer.The machine wasn't happy but it worked.Doing it yourself will save a bunch of money and it isn't all that hard.Including the machine($15),material,headliner($200),padding,carp et etc.I spent well under $500.I recently bought a Necchi commercial machine.It's not as good as a walking foot,but it works good enough for me.

12-10-2014, 11:29 AM	#6
john worden Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: central Iowa Posts: 484	Re: Upholstery shops? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) LeBARON-BONNEY does custom work. __________________ Louvering, bias ply tire-truing, metal shaping and forming, lathe and mill work, member shop HAGERTY Ins. expert repair network. High quality paint work in Iowa.

12-10-2014, 11:36 AM	#7
cmbrucew Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: North of sandy ago, CA. Posts: 2,064	Re: Upholstery shops? Do not try with a Singer made in the last 20 years or so, plastic gears!!!!! Bruce __________________ Works good Lasts long time

12-10-2014, 11:53 AM	#8
Ralph Moore Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: North Pole, Alaska Posts: 1,470	Re: Upholstery shops? Not for the 70, I have a small bench seat that I'm trying to adapt to my hot rod. It has good covers for a pattern, but of course I want it done in the older pleated style.

12-10-2014, 01:11 PM	#9
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,436	Re: Upholstery shops? Pleating takes some calulation to get it right but a lot of trimmers do it on a regular basis. Hidden seam pleats are the most difficult. Visible stitch types are easy and look OK as long as all the stiches are all in a straight line.

12-10-2014, 01:49 PM	#10
Ralph Moore Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: North Pole, Alaska Posts: 1,470	Re: Upholstery shops? Visible is ok with me, I think there is only one local shop, therefore price is high. The one I used before was only a couple hundred plus shipping Bach and forth. It's been a few years so I'm sure it's gone up. But just looking for options.