Upholstery pointers?

[Perpendicular]

Picked up a 78 Blazer the other day and want to replace the aftermarket front upholstery with the factory style. Is there a vendor that matches well? I don't mind doing the front and back if necessary but really want a kit that looks close to factory. This truck appears to be truly 51K actual miles.

A couple of teaser shots

[buffydores]

SMS Auto Fabrics. Have your local upholstery shop match the stitch pattern. That said, looking at your picture, you're not gonna get much better than what you got. The rear seat material is just 43 years old. The other option is to change the front and back seat surfaces to factory correct fabric. Pattern 8434/8134 is the correct plaid for that year. SMS should have some.

[IMG][/IMG]

[bigschuss]

Originally Posted by buffydores

SMS Auto Fabrics. Have your local upholstery shop match the stitch pattern. That said, looking at your picture, you're not gonna get much better than what you got. The rear seat material is just 43 years old. The other option is to change the front and back seat surfaces to factory correct fabric. Pattern 8434/8134 is the correct plaid for that year. SMS should have some.

[IMG][/IMG]

I just received a sample and a quote from SMS for my '84 Blazer. $149 a yard...I was stunned. I've never done a reupholstery job before. I need 5 yards for both front seats and the rear. I could not believe the price for a yard of fabric. Think I'll be doing some cheapo seat covers for the time being.

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by bigschuss

I just received a sample and a quote from SMS for my '84 Blazer. $149 a yard...I was stunned. I've never done a reupholstery job before. I need 5 yards for both front seats and the rear. I could not believe the price for a yard of fabric. Think I'll be doing some cheapo seat covers for the time being.

They are very expensive. Your looking at anywhere between $800-$2000 for covers alone. The low end of that, is for Benchseats for the pickups. I’ve had people insisted on have the “exact” material that was used. It try to tell them it’s going to cost more, but they want to know anyways. So when I tell them $800 just for the cover, when my entire complete restored BenchSeat is $800. That would make my seats about $1400-$1500 now. Why? When there are color matched, comparable and less expensive fabrics out there. SEM, is like paying top $$$ for NOS parts. And I’m not saying there’s nothing wrong with paying for NOS if you have the means to do so. But when there is comparable products out there for less, then it boils down on what your willing to spend. Seats are expensive enough, especially bucket seats and then add the rear seat from the Blazer. Just sayin’

[bigschuss]

Originally Posted by TKCR

They are very expensive. Your looking at anywhere between $800-$2000 for covers alone. The low end of that, is for Benchseats for the pickups. I’ve had people insisted on have the “exact” material that was used. It try to tell them it’s going to cost more, but they want to know anyways. So when I tell them $800 just for the cover, when my entire complete restored BenchSeat is $800. That would make my seats about $1400-$1500 now. Why? When there are color matched, comparable and less expensive fabrics out there. SEM, is like paying top $$$ for NOS parts. And I’m not saying there’s nothing wrong with paying for NOS if you have the means to do so. But when there is comparable products out there for less, then it boils down on what your willing to spend. Seats are expensive enough, especially bucket seats and then add the rear seat from the Blazer. Just sayin’

I totally hear you. I don't necessarily need OEM fabric. I'd be quite happy with some type of similar burgundy/red plaid material that was decently color matched to my K5's burgundy interior.

Would you recommend a supplier?

Thanks.

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by bigschuss

I totally hear you. I don't necessarily need OEM fabric. I'd be quite happy with some type of similar burgundy/red plaid material that was decently color matched to my K5's burgundy interior.

Would you recommend a supplier?

Thanks.

The link I posted above, #11

[Perpendicular]

I get it My upholstery shop is backed up till the end of the year so that isn't really an option. I may go ahead and order the right stuff and see what I can do. I just need to find the medallions for the front seats next if I go that route. .

[buffydores]

There are no medallions for the front fabric seats.

[68Timber]

I've seen that truck online, nice score.

https://www.brotherstrucks.com/Blaze...products/2274/

[Perpendicular]

Good to know about the medallions

Thanks on the score! I am amazed at the condition, just want to make it better. The Brothers covers look good, but are out of stock. Last time I ordered something out of stock from them I had to cancel it 9 months later so I am a bit leery at attempting it again.

Thanks all for the insight

[Corts60]

Member TKCR on the board here can reupholster for you and probably has thoae medallions. Reach out to him for advice. He does great work.

[LT7A]

Originally Posted by Corts60

Member TKCR on the board here can reupholster for you and probably has thoae medallions. Reach out to him for advice. He does great work.

BTW, TKCR is a woman. I believe her name is Tina.

[TKCR]

That would be me! The original poster is in Texas, so that would be a little difficult because of the distance p. And I really don’t do Bucket seats, they are a handful.
Now the Medallions I do have. And I think I know what fabric this is. I just got some material samples yesterday to do a console lid for someone, and it looks identical.
Perpendicular, if you send me a PM, I can send you some of this material & Medallions, to see if it’s a match. And then I can tell you where you might be able to get covers. Any upholstery place is going to be busy. I do just bench seats, and I’m even busy. I can’t hardly keep up.
I tried to post the picture I had of the Medallions, but it didn’t want to load. But Buffy is correct, the front seats didn’t get them.

[68Timber]

Originally Posted by TKCR

And I really don’t do Bucket seats, they are a handful.

That is a shame. I need some too. I haven't searched yet, but I'm not optimistic about finding someone that cares about making OEM covers from scratch.

[Perpendicular]

PM sent - thank you all!

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by Perpendicular

PM sent - thank you all!

PM returned and Sample are in the mail! Hope they are a match. This is where I get a lot of my fabrics and supplies. these particular samples are from the Eduratex & Endurosoft Collection, but they have lots & lots to choose from.
https://www.miamicorp.com/products/V...LLECTIONS.aspx

[LT7A]

Originally Posted by TKCR

PM returned and Sample are in the mail! Hope they are a match. This is where I get a lot of my fabrics and supplies. these particular samples are from the Eduratex & Endurosoft Collection, but they have lots & lots to choose from.
https://www.miamicorp.com/products/V...LLECTIONS.aspx

TKCR, that's very good of you to help him like that. You are a great resource for us squarebody owners.

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by LT7A

TKCR, that's very good of you to help him like that. You are a great resource for us squarebody owners.

Always happy to help. I can remember all the help I got from this great site, with great people willing to help me when I was new to the Squarebody scene. So I have got bitten by the bug when it comes to certain aspects of our trucks, seat & seatbelts. Well mostly interior items in general. I enjoy being able to help others, when so many helped me. And I’m still learning myself everyday.

[DeadstockAutoTrim]

I'm a new member and I'm waiting for a response from faq guy on what is and what's not appropriate for me to post, but I thought I'd just jump in here and mention Deadstockautotrim.com and Deadstockautovinyl.com as a resource for vintage OEM fabric and vinyl from the 60s-80s.

I apologize if this is inappropriate. Admins can feel free to delete this post and contact me to discuss what's appropriate or not.

My name is Lamar Brooks. My wife and I are the owners.