The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Interiors Looking for a pattern to sew a bench seat cover

I just bought a 1957 Chevrolet 3100, and when I bought it, it only had a seat cover, and underneath were just springs. Structurally, everything seems to be there fine . . . just no upholstery.

My sister is an excellent seamstress and has agreed to help me try and make a new seat cover. Nothing flashy, I just want a basic black vinyl seat. I have reupholstered a seat before with a pre-done kit, but I didn’t want to pay the $130 in the LMC truck catalog for a simple bench seat. I figured we could do it cheaper by sewing the seat covers ourselves, but I have no pattern from which to base the new seat.

Does anyone have dimensions or a pattern of the material for a 57 Chevy Truck Bench Seat?

Any help, suggestions, opinions, etc. would be greatly appreciated . . .

Thank You!

You could put the foam and batting on then pin on an old sheet, mark off where you want the seams cut it out add an inch at the seam and allow for enough to attach the bottom and back. draw it off on cardboard and use that to cut the vinyl. I would do the front first cut out the sheet pin it back on do the sides pin them on then do the top using the other sheet as a guide. It helps if the sheet is white and you mark the edge with a black marker. If you can find one in the junk yard you might be able to trace a pattern on some butchers paper you will just have to allow for enough at the seams and bottom or back. If the seat cover you have fits well you can put the foam etc. on put the cover on and use the cover by marking the seams cutting it apart and tracing it off. Make sure the inch you add to the seam is accurate so you will know where to sew. The link has some good info in general. http://www.upholster.com/auto/truck.html

Thanks for the bedsheet idea. I hadn't thought of that.

I've just got the seat and a bunch of springs. No foam.

Can anyone give me an idea as to how thick the foam is on the seat cushion and back? Is it only on the seat, or is it also on the sides?

Sorry for all the questions, but I just have no point of reference here . . . I'm going to pull a bench seat from a scrapyard and cut the foam down to size on the seat, I just don't know how much to use.

Thanks everybody!!

About half way down the page is a section on 57' seat. It won't answer all your questions but there are some pictures of the seats dressed out with the padding. The photos are at the very bottom of the 57 section called Seat Frame inner work for 57 seat click on the photos to enlarge. http://www.mrstitch.com/truckseat.htm This is very good overall not for your year but good information. http://www.classictrucks.com/tech/0906clt_chevy_interior_reupholstery/photo_11.html