I'm doing my first upholstery project (a 1966 Chevelle) and have a simple question. The black vinyl I'm using to make the seat covers only stretches in one direction, so I guess I need to be consistent when using it.
Should I orient it so it is always stretching top-bottom or left-right? This is the vinyl I'm using ... in case it matters.
You are right, in general all you have to do is keep the stretch in the same position on all the pieces. My choice is to have the vinyl stretch side to side on car seats. The reason being, it's a lot easier to cut something down if it stretches a little too much than to do it over because the vinyl won't stretch. On anything else, like a door panel, it doesn't much matter.
one way stretch=more backing threads in one direction versus the other is why...
my $.02:
if you haven't started yet,,,see if you can exchange the material for a bi-axial stretch (same threads count both directions) material...
I'm just a novice but after doing my car I can tell you "no way" could I have done it to turn out great looking with one way stretch material (except maybe the flat door panels)....
99% of all vinyls only stretch in one direction, what is called two-way stretch. It may be laid out on the roll so that it stretches from top to bottom on the roll or from side to side on the roll, but it still only stretches in one direction. The vinyls that stretch in two directions ( four way stretch) are very limited in color and grain and are intended for things like ATV seats, jet ski seats, etc. Car seats have been made with two way stretch vinyl forever. If your seats are not turning out correctly, there is something else wrong that has nothing to do with the vinyl. Most upholsterers will tell you that too much stretch, and especially in all directions, is as bad or worse than not enough stretch.
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