The Upholstery Forum

Hi all,

I've been asked to see what can be done about fixing some loose OEM seat covers on a 2001 Volvo Cross Country. I was originally thinking I might just sew up some new covers, but once I saw the seats I realised they have a specific triple stitch zig zag top stitch along the seams (apparently only on the Cross Country/XC70 - just my luck). The owner wants to keep the original special seam stitching.

Both front and back seat covers are loose. In the photos they don't look too bad, but trust me, the fronts look like a loose plastic bag over the top of the frame!

So I think the only option is to try and tighten up the existing covers in some way, then give them a good clean and possibly re-dye them (they're pretty badly marked and under ordinary circumstances, it wouldn't be cost effective to do this, but this is a job for a family member, so a freebie plus good practice for me)

In terms of tightening up, what's the thoughts on this? I can't resew the seam allowance tighter due to the zig zag seam top stitching, so possibly some scrim foam over the existing foam and then refit the covers? I haven't come across this issue before, so any help on this would be really appreciated


Thanks,


Bill.

@oztraveller , I may get Johns opinion on this but as far as I am concerned leave those alone. They are leather and the fiber is starting to break down and stretch. The option would be to SEW new covers up. or replace the overstretched leather panels. They are doing their job covering the seat and still look good to me .

Yeah I personality would stay far away from that.
You could attempt to sew seams tighter and add scrim. But that doesn't fix the issue of the degraded leather.
Also those cars are only worth a few thousand dollars so I highly doubt the customer wants to pay you what you deserve for repairs or new covers. It will still be time pretty consuming if you attempt to repair the covers.

Thanks @BigRig and @John , I'll take your advice and leave them as they are, will just give them a good clean and call it done.

Cheers


Bill.

@oztraveller , good decision!

looks like they could do with a good clean too might be work there if they decide not to reupholster

The kind of machine that sews those cross stitches on the seams. $13K w/o delivery!