The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Interiors seat cover difference

I was looking at one of the vendor catalogs (Jim Carter)and they offered replacement seat covers that have french stitch. I think it said that that they were originally for GMC trucks. Can you tell me what is a french stitch and why it would be different? How about a picture too for my simple mind :p

Chuck

Blue 50,
I will try and make this simple for you. I do not have a picture here, but a french stitch looks like
------
------ (FRENCH) at the seam.
------

You probably have a top stitch on your truck which looks like ------- (top stitch)
-------
The french seam is alot stronger stitch, more detailed, and time consuming for custom jobs. Done correctly the french seam has an additional material the width of the stitch, that both of the outside stitching lines are sewn through. This distributes the load over a wider area on the material, resulting in a long lasting seam. The top stitch is also a very good strong stitch. French seams are top quality done correctly for a very durable, long lasting, detailed, and professional upholstery job. Most upholstery shops will charge extra for this type of work, I know that I do. How this helps.

The French stitch is a stitch that runs to the left of the seam and a stitch that runs to the right of the seam. I'm going to do French stitching on my truck interior, which I am doing myself, this year.

Contrary to popular belief, it really doesn't produce a stronger seam ... necessarily. That additional material you mention, RESTOMAN57 (as I'm sure you know) is called twill -- I was recently told that twill is not cut on the bias and therefore has *no* stretch or give to it. It doesn't take much to figure out what that will do; the French stitches, at each side of the twill, are going to take all the abuse! The leather or vinyl has give; the twill does not.

A trimmer I know uses headliner thingies (I forget what it's called but it's like twill only it's cut on the bias, so it gives, and is used to hang the old headliners that are hung by bars) ... he also tells me that most trimmers he knows don't use any backing at all when they do French stitching because the seams hold up better than they do with the unforgiving twill applied.

Note: I'm just learning, so I'm no expert but this is what I've learned from those who are the experts.

The material you are refering to that is cut on the bias is called "listing" avaiable in 1 1/2" or 2" material. Listing is used to run headliner rods, seat wires, and other types of fasteners through. You hit the nail on the head that most trimmers do not use a backing. My point and case. When done correctly as I stated, all "professional" upholsterers will install a backing material on all french seams, that is what makes a true french seam. This makes all three stitches load bearing. If you do not have a backing material for a french seam you are only relying on the center stitching to do all of the load bearing. This is called a standard single blind stitch that is as basic as you can get, and in no way compares to the french stitch or the top stitch. The french seam is sewn through 3 layers of material ( 2 covering / 1 backing ), your actual seat cover will stretch and give out before the seam will. I hate to be harsh, but if most trimmers / upholsterers in your area do not use the backing on a frence seam, time to look elsewhere for a qualified person that will make sure the customer gets what they paid for.

Thanks Guys,
The reason I ask.....my current vinyl cover has a raised bead that is the seam between the top and side of the bottom seat. When you get out of the truck, this raised bead "catches" your upper leg and/or your bootocks, with all that stress, the seam has started to unravel. That is what I want to correct. So, is the french stitch the way to go, or is the nature of the beast, and going to happen no matter what kind of stitch is there?

Thanks for the clarification, RESTOMAN57. "Headliner Listing" ... that's what I couldn't remember.

I just bought a Tacsew walking foot machine and am learning ... I want to do my interior myself and I plan on making French seams.

You said, "your actual seat cover will stretch and give out before the seam will" ... so, would you say that the listing is necessary for me to do?

Blue 50,
The beading you are catching you leg and or buttocks on is the welting cord. There are different types of the welting cord as well. One is manufactured in a pre-fab graining, color, and solid or hollow piping.
The entire welting has a "tail" that is the section you actually sew through. The tail of the welting in the pre-fab style usually has relief cuts approx. every 1/4" so you can bend the welting for inside or outside curves. The second style is hand made by the upholsterer. The "piping" (round tube) is available in different diameters depending on the desired look. Once the desired diameter is selected, 1" - 1 1/4" wide strips of material ( vinly, leather, binding, etc) are cut, wrapped around the piping and sewn together. This method is used to make seat welting, fender welting(using a wider cut), hood to cowl welting etc. To the point on correcting the seam coming apart, buy the upholstery or have the cover made that has the top stitching, or french seam. This will save the bending of the welting back and forth finally giving out, as well as the seam. No more catching your leg or butt on the welting cord, you will have a smoooooth transition in and out across the seat. Alan, definately use a backing material on a french seam. I don't no if you are aware ....... but depending on what you are sewing, there are different "feet" that attach to your machine that are for doing different tasks. I would suggest for doing welting, to get a welting foot, and all other types using a zipper foot. The zipper foot is the one I personally use the most, great for tight quarters, and doing french seams. TIP: use the width of the zipper foot as a guide for the width of each of your stitching lines. My space is limited here without trying to write a technical book, I have been trying to cover at least the basics. Wish you were closer and I would be glad to come by and help out. I hope this helps, just contact me with any questions. Good on you for doing your own interior work!

Thanks for the tips and for your offer to help and answer questions, Bro'. I sure do appreciate it. Seems to me that trimmers sure are a "giving" bunch! There's a pro trimmer who lives by me ... I met him via Hotrodders.com ... and I'll be visiting him as soon as the weather warms up; he's been very helpful, too!

I have a welting foot but don't plan on using it as I don't like welting; I like French seams! I don't have a zipper foot - but I *will* order one now that you say you use it the most; I can understand why.

Hello Restoman57 from a fellow upholsterer Tom

Hello Tom,
In my previous comments on the seat topic, let me know if you see anything different or that I have missed. Everyone has there own techniques, but there are right ways and wrong ways to accomplish a quality upholstery ( or any job for that matter)job. I welcome any constructive input .......