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Sewing the Bugeye seats
- Thread starter apbos
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apbos
Jedi Knight
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Cut out bottom cushion and sewed on piping and bottom attachment piece. This is where we meet our first major problem of the project. When I put the piece on the old foam and seat frame the cushion it was too large. Since the old cover was so bad I misjudged the size and we had to rip out the stitches and trim the panel. :hammer:
I am going to go running off screaming into the woods now.
Hello,
After reading this post and following the notes and pictures I decided that since I can sew I should try to recover our sprite seats. I figure it takes 3 yards of vinyl, 7 yards of piping, 250 yards of upholstery thread and about 6 hours of time to make the pattern from the old seats, and assemble the new covers. Since we didn’t have the correct bugeye seats (’58-’62) , I used our Mk II seats (’63-’64) but fit a full ‘pleated’ panel on the front so they look like the original bugeye seats. I think they came out well.. hardest part has been pulling them onto the frame and getting the stretchy vinyl to line up. I used my 1976 Singer sewing machine with a heavy duty needle, a invisible zipper foot (for the piping) and clothes pins to keep the pieces together as I sewed. This is very doable for people with intermediate sewing abilities since you have to piece curves together and stitch piping which can be tricky.
If others want to try I would be happy to offer encouragement and any advice that I can. I can email photos to anyone who would like them.
Thank you Paul for the inspiration.
Heather
1960 Bugeye
1977 MG-B
After reading this post and following the notes and pictures I decided that since I can sew I should try to recover our sprite seats. I figure it takes 3 yards of vinyl, 7 yards of piping, 250 yards of upholstery thread and about 6 hours of time to make the pattern from the old seats, and assemble the new covers. Since we didn’t have the correct bugeye seats (’58-’62) , I used our Mk II seats (’63-’64) but fit a full ‘pleated’ panel on the front so they look like the original bugeye seats. I think they came out well.. hardest part has been pulling them onto the frame and getting the stretchy vinyl to line up. I used my 1976 Singer sewing machine with a heavy duty needle, a invisible zipper foot (for the piping) and clothes pins to keep the pieces together as I sewed. This is very doable for people with intermediate sewing abilities since you have to piece curves together and stitch piping which can be tricky.
If others want to try I would be happy to offer encouragement and any advice that I can. I can email photos to anyone who would like them.
Thank you Paul for the inspiration.
Heather
1960 Bugeye
1977 MG-B
Paul,
I completed a set of Mk II seat covers as well. Black with white piping. I thought I would sell these if anyone is interested to help fund our many other bugeye restoration projects! We have not mounted them, but they are done and ready for a new home. (pictured next to the blue seat previously completed)
Happy sewing!
Heather
I completed a set of Mk II seat covers as well. Black with white piping. I thought I would sell these if anyone is interested to help fund our many other bugeye restoration projects! We have not mounted them, but they are done and ready for a new home. (pictured next to the blue seat previously completed)
Happy sewing!
Heather
Whitephrog
Luke Skywalker
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Asking price?
RickB
Yoda
Offline
Heather, those look GREAT!!
For a baseline comparison an outfit that sells on Ebay called "Sports and Classics" sells a similar set.
Just search for "Sprite Seat".
Generally they are only available in black with white piping, other colors usually cost more, probably just because they are one-off.
For a baseline comparison an outfit that sells on Ebay called "Sports and Classics" sells a similar set.
Just search for "Sprite Seat".
Generally they are only available in black with white piping, other colors usually cost more, probably just because they are one-off.
RickB
Yoda
Offline
Here is an example of another of their color choices, in red and for a lot more money ($416 shipped):
Sports and Classics red
Sports and Classics red
Asking price is $250 per set (2 seats) plus $15 shipping. If you want to supply the materials, take $70 off the price (since that is what it costs me). I am happy to do other colors at the same price. These are made by hand, one at a time, patterned off a real original seat (so they fit perfectly!). The black Mk II (1963-1964) with white piping are ready to go and find a new home if anyone is interested.
I was disappointed by seats that a friend had purchased that fit horribly, and knew I could do much better. I am a nurse by trade, but am happy to help fellow British car owners.
I am happier sewing than pulling an engine. I have done both.. and sewing is less greasy!
Cheers,
Heather
I was disappointed by seats that a friend had purchased that fit horribly, and knew I could do much better. I am a nurse by trade, but am happy to help fellow British car owners.
I am happier sewing than pulling an engine. I have done both.. and sewing is less greasy!
Cheers,
Heather
Hi Heather,
I am looking into redoing my seats in leather. I was thinking about having my wife sew it for me. But, your price seems very reasonable. I was wondering if that is a project you would be interested in? I'm sure leather takes more time so just let me know what you think.
I would provide the leather. Not sure if you would have a pattern for my seats which according to Moss come from a later model 65-80 sprite. model F in their page: https://www.mossmotors.com/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=29361 with headrests.
Would you need one of the existing covers?
Hope to hear from you soon.
John C Goss
65 Sprite (needs a name)
I am looking into redoing my seats in leather. I was thinking about having my wife sew it for me. But, your price seems very reasonable. I was wondering if that is a project you would be interested in? I'm sure leather takes more time so just let me know what you think.
I would provide the leather. Not sure if you would have a pattern for my seats which according to Moss come from a later model 65-80 sprite. model F in their page: https://www.mossmotors.com/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=29361 with headrests.
Would you need one of the existing covers?
Hope to hear from you soon.
John C Goss
65 Sprite (needs a name)
Hi John.
Thank you for your post, sorry for the delay but I was out of town visiting family.
I am currently backlogged with 2 sets of seats in process. Due to the extra time involved with head rests and sewing pleating, I do not work on any seats after 1965. On our own ’77 MGB we bought the interior kit rather than sewing it ourselves.
Thank you for thinking of me, but at the moment I will pass until I clear my plate a bit.
Heather
Thank you for your post, sorry for the delay but I was out of town visiting family.
I am currently backlogged with 2 sets of seats in process. Due to the extra time involved with head rests and sewing pleating, I do not work on any seats after 1965. On our own ’77 MGB we bought the interior kit rather than sewing it ourselves.
Thank you for thinking of me, but at the moment I will pass until I clear my plate a bit.
Heather