AMC Eagle Den Forum

The Shop => Inside Your Eagle => Topic started by: rollguy on August 13, 2011, 03:00:50 PM

Title: Cheap, washable seat cover!
Post by: rollguy on August 13, 2011, 03:00:50 PM
You may not believe this, but I found the cheapest seat cover there is. The cost was about $5.00.   Go to your local K-Mart, Wal-Mart, or Target and get a "Bath Sheet".   It is just a very large bath towel.  Tuck it behind the raised head rest, and then push the head rest down to hold it in place.  When it gets dirty, just throw it in the washing machine!


(http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k13/rollguy/Eagles/100_0489.jpg)
Title: Re: Cheap, washable seat cover!
Post by: vangremlin on August 13, 2011, 03:07:55 PM
Does it come in plaid?  :rotfl:
Title: Re: Cheap, washable seat cover!
Post by: rollguy on August 13, 2011, 03:34:48 PM
Quote from: vangremlin on August 13, 2011, 03:07:55 PM
Does it come in plaid?  :rotfl:

Check out:
http://www.amazon.com/Nautica-Plaid-Towels-Cotton-Seamist/dp/B0037HQ6XS
Title: Re: Cheap, washable seat cover!
Post by: eaglefreek on August 13, 2011, 04:13:58 PM
I've tried the towel thing but they fall down and clump at the small of my back. I saw these seat covers on another site. They are jeans made into seat covers. I don't know why, but I love them! I'm may try to find a local person to make me some.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/svoman2300/Jeanseatcovers1.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/svoman2300/Jeanseatcovers2.jpg)
Title: Re: Cheap, washable seat cover!
Post by: vangremlin on August 13, 2011, 05:05:30 PM
Quote from: rollguy on August 13, 2011, 03:34:48 PM
Quote from: vangremlin on August 13, 2011, 03:07:55 PM
Does it come in plaid?  :rotfl:

Check out:
http://www.amazon.com/Nautica-Plaid-Towels-Cotton-Seamist/dp/B0037HQ6XS

How about that!
Title: Re: Cheap, washable seat cover!
Post by: Gil-SX4 on August 13, 2011, 11:52:22 PM
I like the jean idea, but I like the MOLLEN seat covers a lot more.
Title: Re: Cheap, washable seat cover!
Post by: rollguy on August 19, 2011, 10:22:06 PM
Quote from: eaglefreek on August 13, 2011, 04:13:58 PM
I've tried the towel thing but they fall down and clump at the small of my back.

Update:   I found these tarp hooks at Harbor Freight Tools:
(http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k13/rollguy/Eagles/100_0495.jpg)
They work great with bungee cords to hold the towel in place:
(http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k13/rollguy/Eagles/100_0496.jpg)
Title: Re: Cheap, washable seat cover!
Post by: shanebo on August 19, 2011, 11:56:15 PM
Its funny you should say that Dave...I just so happen to have a big plaid beach towel!!
Title: Re: Cheap, washable seat cover!
Post by: vangremlin on August 20, 2011, 01:03:16 AM
Quote from: eaglefreek on August 13, 2011, 04:13:58 PM
I've tried the towel thing but they fall down and clump at the small of my back. I saw these seat covers on another site. They are jeans made into seat covers. I don't know why, but I love them! I'm may try to find a local person to make me some.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/svoman2300/Jeanseatcovers1.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/svoman2300/Jeanseatcovers2.jpg)


Reminiscent of the old Levi's interior offered in AMCs in the 70s!
Title: Re: Cheap, washable seat cover!
Post by: 83Eagle! on August 20, 2011, 02:07:41 AM
I like these ideas.  When I finally get around to putting in the seats Shanebo sent me I think I should find something to cover up and protect them for everyday use.  Too bad I cannot find a decent upholstery person around here that does not cost an arm and a leg or do crappy work.
Title: Re: Cheap, washable seat cover!
Post by: shanebo on August 20, 2011, 10:44:50 PM
Did those seats clean up all right for ya brandon?
Title: Re: Cheap, washable seat cover!
Post by: thereverendbill on August 20, 2011, 11:13:14 PM
Quote from: 83Eagle! on August 20, 2011, 02:07:41 AM
I like these ideas.  When I finally get around to putting in the seats Shanebo sent me I think I should find something to cover up and protect them for everyday use.  Too bad I cannot find a decent upholstery person around here that does not cost an arm and a leg or do crappy work.
it is time to get a sewing machine and take matters into your own hands brandon :P
Title: Re: Cheap, washable seat cover!
Post by: 83Eagle! on August 20, 2011, 11:19:46 PM
I have a sewing machine. 
Title: Re: Cheap, washable seat cover!
Post by: Gil-SX4 on August 20, 2011, 11:45:45 PM
83Eagle! Having a sewing machine doesn't mean you know how to use it  ;D
Title: Re: Cheap, washable seat cover!
Post by: thereverendbill on August 21, 2011, 12:26:29 AM
Quote from: 83Eagle! on August 20, 2011, 11:19:46 PM
I have a sewing machine. 
ok, you got step 1 covered.  Now my order will be fore front and rear seat covers for my wagon and a set for the kammback.  nutmeg for the wagon and blue for the kammy please :P
Title: Re: Cheap, washable seat cover!
Post by: eaglefreek on August 21, 2011, 08:09:33 AM
I went to a friend of a friend to get a quote on those seat covers. She estimated 10 pairs of jeans and $320 for labor. That'll be $550 total. I thought maybe $300. So, unless I find someone cheaper or buy a sewing machine, it's not gonna happen.
Title: Re: Cheap, washable seat cover!
Post by: rollguy on August 21, 2011, 10:14:45 AM
       Jeans are cheap at thrift stores, but not just any sewing machine will sew through several thicknesses of denim.   A commercial walking foot type is the best for this.   The newer home sewing machines will not be up to the task of sewing old jeans together with upholstery thread (regular thin cotton thread will not last long on a seat cover).   
       About 35 years ago, my brother got into upholstery and found an old Singer machine at a yard sale.   It was a home type, but was very heavy duty.   He got some big needles and some upholstery thread, and started doing car seats.   The motor on the machine finally quit, so he put a 3/8 chuck B&D drill motor on it.   This old machine would sew through your finger if it would fit under the foot!   Years later, he acquired a commercial walking foot machine and used it for years and then sold it to a friend when he quit doing upholstery.  A couple years ago, I bought the machine and still have it.   I may break it out and try doing the used jean seat cover idea.
Title: Re: Cheap, washable seat cover!
Post by: Whuntmore on August 21, 2011, 11:13:56 AM
I love these.  (almost Looks like a fat girl's mini skirt!    :rotfl: )

Actually there's a trick to getting a normal home sewing machine to go thru denim.  But it requires a hammer and a block of wood.

Make sure you have at least a No. 16 (18 sized needles are better) ball type needle.  pin your seams together, and hammer them flat.  Don't have too many folds.  But I've seen this work with up to 8 layers of folded denim seams.  I've had to hem the bottom of Jeans with that heavy outside seam, folded over like 3 times.  I can get it, but you gotta hammer it really flat.

Now, this won't work for doing allot of denim, but it will get get you thru the odd job.