You are correct, there was no top stitching, just a single seam, same as the original cover. The less sewing I do the better Just kidding I have enjoyed the challenge and the learning.
The bolster covers go on first, then the center section lays in between the bolsters and is held by a long plastic clip on each end that hooks over the bottom of the seat frame.
I'll get more pics when I do the next piece....

Gotcha. I can see it now. I was looking at the picture a little wrong.

__________________
Always learning.

This is what caused all the problems with the covers I made not fitting properly.
The new foam is a different shape, the old foam is 20 years old and still bigger and thicker then the new foam. The old foam is also more rounded, the new more pointed.

At least now I know how to correct the problem, and won’t be wasting more leather.
There is not much left of the first hide, will give me a start on the back pieces. I had to pick up another one today.

Good job Nobug! It looks like you've been doing this all of your life.. Who knows, this could lead you in another direction in your life. Possible new side job?.There's never enough good upholstery shops around!.....CR

A few more pics and a little detail as to what went into making the covers.

This is just the way I did them, what I thought would work, not saying it is right or wrong, any pointers or suggestions are more then welcome.


The patterns are cut



Notice the witness marks, used to align the pieces as they are sewn together.



The first step is to sew this small cut to form a corner on the bottom of the front section.



The pieces are aligned and sewn.





Then they are turn inside out and the top-stitch is done.



The bottom is folded and sewn to form the pocket for wires.



I had to make the foam larger, so additional foam was glued on and trimmed.





Then the cover is stretched over the foam and clipped down by the wire inserts.



Now the center section, it is a little different as it has foam under the leather to give it the slight roll when sewn.




The stitching across the cover is done first, when sewn it reduces the length of the cover slightly. Then I go around the perimeter to hold the foam in place, it could be glued, but I don’t always trust glue to hold up over time.



The black strip is sewn on, this will be under the backrest when it is put in place.



The sides are sewn on and the plastic strips sewn front and back, now it is ready to go on



I now have the two bases done, will be doing backrests next week.

Just one comment. For the center section, it will be much easier and faster for you to make a larger blank of leather and sew foam, (about an inch bigger than your pattern all the way around) mark the horizontal lines and sew them in first, and then lay your pattern over it, mark your pattern on the blank, and sew around the markings. The way you did it will work fine, but it probably took you forever to sew around the outside perimeter. Having a little extra fabric to play with makes it much easier to sew around the perimeter. Another thing that helps is to sew around the piece twice. Once around the outside, and then completely around 1/4" in from the outside stitching. It isn't as important with 1/4" sew foam, but it makes a huge difference with 1/2" sew foam in sewing the parts together. I like the care and attention to detail in your work,.... good job.

__________________
__________________________________

No one lives forever, the trick is creating something that will.
__________________________________

Thanks Dan, your comments and suggestions are always welcome.
Your point of sewing around the perimeter twice makes complete sense to me, it was a little difficult sewing the side pieces on with just the outside perimeter stitched a second stitch 1/4" in, would make it a lot easier.

Thanks for all the comments.

Still working at the seats.

The old cover ripped apart, ironed nice and flat ready to make patterns.



Patterns made.



cover made, and test fit, needs a little tweaking to remove some wrinkles but other then that very pleased.