How to Make a Homemade Leather Bench Seat Cover

[coloradosean2009]

This weekend was productive. I started out by punching rivet holes along the seam that will be used to attach the cover to the frame. The idea is to create a pocket in the leather that will allow a wire to pass through. The wire adds strength to the connection to the frame. This seam will not show and needs to be strong. I decided to use rivets because they are fast and strong.

While I was punching the rivet holes I also punched some holes to allow the hog rings to catch the wire. This is an extra step that I decided to do on the bench bottom only.

Next I added a layer of poly batting. I bought the batting at a hobby store on sale with a coupon for a grand total of $6.50. I used the batting to add a little life to the foam core. On a side note, when I did this project on a 1972 mercedes that I used to own. The Germans were still using horse hair in 1972 and the project was very messy. The foam pad for this bench is a dream to work with compared to the horse hair.

Finally I sewed the bench cover together. I use only nylon thread for leather. Any other thread is crap and will fail. Be sure to back stitch the ends of the seams as you will need to tug like crazy to make the cover fit tight.

The last photo is a test fit before riveting the wire seam at the bottom.

[coloradosean2009]

After confirming fit, I moved back to the bench to rivet the wire reinforced seam. I bought 100 rivets and needed 96. The four extras came in handy after I buggered a couple when I got in a hurry.

I used a piece of scrap to attach a holster for my mag light. I added a couple of shock cord loops to help keep the light in place. Now I will always have my flashlight handy when I need it.

Once the rivets are all pounded in, place the cover back on the bottom. Now is the time to insert the wire into the bottom seam. Use the wire that was on the old cover.

Next you will need to compress the seat springs while pulling on the cover. The compression of the springs will pull the leather tight when let go. The wire seam will meet up with the frame to allow for the use of hog rings.

I have included a picture of the p.o.s. hog ring pliers that I bought from LM* alongside the pair of pliers that I picked up at the local ace. You can also see the difference between a proper gauge ring and the lightweight crap that came with the small one. I know better than to buy a tool like this from a catalog but part of me thought L*C would have made an effort to source a tool that was not a total p.o.s.

[coloradosean2009]

Here are a couple of photos of the final product on the bench bottom.

I am ready to start sewing the back cover together. I will take a couple of days off the project to let my hands recover before tackling the back cover.

[knsmodels]

Lookin sweet.....

[dieselarmy13]

Wow, that looks great!

[gferris5]

that looks fantastic~
Three questions:
Is that really something that someone with no leather working experience could do?
Is there a cheap material to start out with that you can practice on without consequence?
Can we possibly ask how much this project set you back?

**Subscribed**

[Scott Webster]

Absolutely awesome - can't wait to see more!!!!

[coloradosean2009]

Originally Posted by gferris5

that looks fantastic~
Three questions:
Is that really something that someone with no leather working experience could do?
Is there a cheap material to start out with that you can practice on without consequence?
Can we possibly ask how much this project set you back?

**Subscribed**

The seat cover is a relatively easy project for a beginner if you use the old cover for a pattern. You will want to practice sewing leather on a small project first to learn the finer points of stitching and seam construction. I recommend covering a bottle, flask or other small project with scrap leather. This way, you can get a feel for the amount of extra leather that you will need to allow for the seam. You will also get a good feel for how to construct a paper pattern. Below is a photo of a bottle that I practiced on.

You can find leather from cheap to really expensive. The Tandy Leather Factory stores located throughout the country are currently selling lower quality "b" sides for $20 each. The darker leather that I am using is one of the $20 sides from Tandy. The other option would be vinyl which you can buy at any craft store. It would behave just like leather.

I sourced the larger tan hide for $120 from a supplier on ebay. You have to be careful ordering leather from the internet because you never know what quality you are going to get until it arrives. The seller that I use will send free samples which is a real bonus. I estimate my final costs will be:

Leather $150.
Nylon Thread $ 4
Paper and other consumables $15
Hog Rings + Pliers $20
Rivets $6

Total $195

[sourkraut]

looks great, sean!!!

[Rat Bastid]

wow.....to be part of a group of people as talented as you folks are is a honor,its folks like you that inspired my attemt at a build at 53 years old, thanks for sharing this with us

[toomanytoyz]

Thanks for Sharing info, Can't wait to see Final Product........

Rick

[petey-pablo]

Wow that is very nice.

[gferris5]

Great! Thanks for the info; I think I will try it out with vinyl, since my truck really does not deserve leather. I would like to try replicating my houndstooth inserts. Either way: great info, and your seat looks great!

Originally Posted by coloradosean2009

The seat cover is a relatively easy project for a beginner if you use the old cover for a pattern. You will want to practice sewing leather on a small project first to learn the finer points of stitching and seam construction. I recommend covering a bottle, flask or other small project with scrap leather. This way, you can get a feel for the amount of extra leather that you will need to allow for the seam. You will also get a good feel for how to construct a paper pattern. Below is a photo of a bottle that I practiced on.

You can find leather from cheap to really expensive. The Tandy Leather Factory stores located throughout the country are currently selling lower quality "b" sides for $20 each. The darker leather that I am using is one of the $20 sides from Tandy. The other option would be vinyl which you can buy at any craft store. It would behave just like leather.

I sourced the larger tan hide for $120 from a supplier on ebay. You have to be careful ordering leather from the internet because you never know what quality you are going to get until it arrives. The seller that I use will send free samples which is a real bonus. I estimate my final costs will be:

Leather $150.
Nylon Thread $ 4
Paper and other consumables $15
Hog Rings + Pliers $20
Rivets $6

Total $195

[coloradosean2009]

I finally got done procrastinating after taking last week off to go camping at the Great Sand Dunes National Park. I have attached a photo of the road toward the park for fun. If I completed the seat cover earlier I would have taken the truck, but I did not.

I finished the back yesterday after a strong push to complete the project. Here are some photos of the seat installed. I also replaced the windshield while the truck was out of commission. The interior is all complete now - minus a radio.

Hope my "how to" was informative. This project was a lot of fun and will be the most rewarding leather project that I have done to date. I am hanging up the leather tools for the summer and switching gears to outdoor projects- A little sun and exercise may help me lose a few lbs.

Feel free to ask any questions or post similar projects. I look forward to seeing other people make their own seat cover.

[msgross]

looks nice... are you sure that road actually goes somewhere?

[sourkraut]

sean that looks great! good work!

[dads longhorn]

Wow, wow, Good Job!! I've done a bit of leather work and I know what it took to make the seat cover, and I'm in awe. I really appreciate that you made it all by hand too. It looks great, just like it belongs there. (better in fact than the factory original). Thank you for sharing the info on how to do this, I'm sure you've give a lot of folks the courage to try new projects themselves. GOOD JOB!!!! and THANKS!!!

[coloradosean2009]

Originally Posted by msgross

looks nice... are you sure that road actually goes somewhere?

LOL. Far in the distance you can see what appears to be more clouds sitting on the horizon. The "clouds" are actually the tallest sand dunes in the northern hemisphere.

We arrived in between two spring storms. Setting up in the sleet was a bit of a challenge. Nevertheless, we had a great time camping at this little known national park.

I recommend adding the Dunes to your bucket list.

[Pickupmanx2]

That is TOTALLY AWESOME!! Great job, and THANKS for the tutoring!!! WOW, wow, WOW!!!

[HarrolLS1]

I hope this goes in the FAQ section.. Looking forward to seeing some more projects.

[big mike71]

Looks great, You did a really good job.

[ubtripn]

So have you ever considered doing that for other members for a fee?

[coloradosean2009]

Originally Posted by ubtripn

So have you ever considered doing that for other members for a fee?

I was thinking that I could do a couple to cover the cost of a leather sewing machine. I suppose if I had a nice machine I could do the seat covers for a reasonable price. PM me if you are interested in talking about it.

[ubtripn]

Will do and thanks.