After some recent discussion on sewing machines on this forum, I figured the Covid offered the perfect time to get out my Sailrite ultrafeed.
I had a crack at Reglazing the clears in the Dodger, it was probably a tough project to cut my teeth on, but armed with a sheet of 40 thou Strataglass I managed to make a reasonable job. Sewing in a curved zip is a tough job to get absolutely correct. My Dodgers original design of an overlapping flap added to the degree of difficulty.
There is a little crease on the port side of the zip, but it zips fine so for now I'll enjoy the crystal clear vision.
I made up a Sunbrella cover, so the clears should last, that Dodger was new in 2013, and it is still quite sound. A tip, that I recommend to extend the life of canvas, is using a good waterproofing product, Starbrite works well, apart from stopping water drips, it really freshens up the canvas, the colour is more vibrant, much easier to remove pesky bird doo too!
The next project is changing the saloon upholstery, currently it's a blue woven material, it's quite well made and still in good condition, but after checking out other peoples yachts, I like the look of synthetic leather. Also I'd like a lighter colour to lighten up the interior.
After some recent discussion on sewing machines on this forum, I figured the Covid offered the perfect time to get out my Sailrite ultrafeed.
I had a crack at Reglazing the clears in the Dodger, it was probably a tough project to cut my teeth on, but armed with a sheet of 40 thou Strataglass I managed to make a reasonable job. Sewing in a curved zip is a tough job to get absolutely correct. My Dodgers original design of an overlapping flap added to the degree of difficulty.
There is a little crease on the port side of the zip, but it zips fine so for now I'll enjoy the crystal clear vision.
I made up a Sunbrella cover, so the clears should last, that Dodger was new in 2013, and it is still quite sound. A tip, that I recommend to extend the life of canvas, is using a good waterproofing product, Starbrite works well, apart from stopping water drips, it really freshens up the canvas, the colour is more vibrant, much easier to remove pesky bird doo too!
The next project is changing the saloon upholstery, currently it's a blue woven material, it's quite well made and still in good condition, but after checking out other peoples yachts, I like the look of synthetic leather. Also I'd like a lighter colour to lighten up the interior.
Sorry having trouble adding more photos?
After some recent discussion on sewing machines on this forum, I figured the Covid offered the perfect time to get out my Sailrite ultrafeed.
I had a crack at Reglazing the clears in the Dodger, it was probably a tough project to cut my teeth on, but armed with a sheet of 40 thou Strataglass I managed to make a reasonable job. Sewing in a curved zip is a tough job to get absolutely correct. My Dodgers original design of an overlapping flap added to the degree of difficulty.
There is a little crease on the port side of the zip, but it zips fine so for now I'll enjoy the crystal clear vision.
I made up a Sunbrella cover, so the clears should last, that Dodger was new in 2013, and it is still quite sound. A tip, that I recommend to extend the life of canvas, is using a good waterproofing product, Starbrite works well, apart from stopping water drips, it really freshens up the canvas, the colour is more vibrant, much easier to remove pesky bird doo too!
The next project is changing the saloon upholstery, currently it's a blue woven material, it's quite well made and still in good condition, but after checking out other peoples yachts, I like the look of synthetic leather. Also I'd like a lighter colour to lighten up the interior.
Sorry having trouble adding more photos?

Okay so back to the story, this is my test run, the rear cabin seat cushion. I'm using Pacifica marine grade vinyl, nice stuff to work with, I have done a single top stitch, the bottom plate was not seen on in the picture, but I have sourced some mesh vinyl which should let the foam breath, and have sewn in a zipper
I'll send so e more photos as the project advances. I plan on making patterns of each individual cushion then using that pattern to cut new foam, check , then cover at home.
I used the Clark Rubber marine grade vinyl in the Olympic blue colour with the leather finish. For some reason, blue is always thicker than the other colours in the range. I did all the bunk covers and cushion covers one at a time. Just brought one home after each days sailing. I did not use zips but Chinese velcro. Sairite has been emailing lots of interesting stuff out to subscribers during the COVID lockdown including a good article on cushion making.

The new coral sand innova upholstery job. It seems to brighten up and enlarge the saloon area.

My skills improved as I went along, I had two goes at this detail piece to get a tidy result. Overall I'm very happy, and looking forward to coming up with some more projects for the Sailrite machine.
cheers Richard
I used the Clark Rubber marine grade vinyl in the Olympic blue colour with the leather finish. For some reason, blue is always thicker than the other colours in the range. I did all the bunk covers and cushion covers one at a time. Just brought one home after each days sailing. I did not use zips but Chinese velcro. Sairite has been emailing lots of interesting stuff out to subscribers during the COVID lockdown including a good article on cushion making.
I use velcro too, I get pretty long rolls from Rainbow fabrics in Kogarah. Seems easier to adjust for a bit of stretch and accommodates my lack of skills, Pretty easy to sew in too.
Jeff.
I used the Clark Rubber marine grade vinyl in the Olympic blue colour with the leather finish. For some reason, blue is always thicker than the other colours in the range. I did all the bunk covers and cushion covers one at a time. Just brought one home after each days sailing. I did not use zips but Chinese velcro. Sairite has been emailing lots of interesting stuff out to subscribers during the COVID lockdown including a good article on cushion making.
I use velcro too, I get pretty long rolls from Rainbow fabrics in Kogarah. Seems easier to adjust for a bit of stretch and accommodates my lack of skills, Pretty easy to sew in too.
Jeff.
Hi Jeff,
The zips are not that scary, a chunky size 8 is pretty easy to install, it's best to sew them in and slit the opening after. I used for the backing to the cushions a mesh material, I got this form Daley's in Villawood. It is really easy to slit with a quick un-pick. No edging required.
i used Velcro with sticky back to secure the upright cushions.
cheers Richard
Wow Stockie, that looks amazing! Really, really
impressive! Can't wait to see what's next!
Thanks, I will make up some cockpit squabs next.
I used the Clark Rubber marine grade vinyl in the Olympic blue colour with the leather finish. For some reason, blue is always thicker than the other colours in the range. I did all the bunk covers and cushion covers one at a time. Just brought one home after each days sailing. I did not use zips but Chinese velcro. Sairite has been emailing lots of interesting stuff out to subscribers during the COVID lockdown including a good article on cushion making.
I use velcro too, I get pretty long rolls from Rainbow fabrics in Kogarah. Seems easier to adjust for a bit of stretch and accommodates my lack of skills, Pretty easy to sew in too.
Jeff.
Hi Jeff,
The zips are not that scary, a chunky size 8 is pretty easy to install, it's best to sew them in and slit the opening after. I used for the backing to the cushions a mesh material, I got this form Daley's in Villawood. It is really easy to slit with a quick un-pick. No edging required.
i used Velcro with sticky back to secure the upright cushions.
cheers Richard
Thanks for the tip Richard
I'll give it a try down the track.
Jeff.