Upholstering Panels With Difficult Curves & Corners Using a 4-Way Stretch Vinyl

Upholstering corners and sharp curves can be tricky. We have some tried-and-true tips and tricks to share with you. The most important tip is to use a four-way stretch vinyl. This type of upholstery vinyl can be pulled and stretched to fit odd shapes and curves - and it’s key to getting the results you want. Another tip: Don’t use staples to attach the vinyl to the backer board. Watch the full video to learn our pro upholstery tricks.
Materials List:
Fabric Backed 1/2" Sew Foam 58" (5 yds.) (Uncompressed) - SKU: 123681-5
3M™ General Trim Spray Adhesive 18.1 oz. - SKU: 73211
EverSoft™ Indoor/Outdoor Teak 54" Vinyl Fabric - SKU: 122218
S-18 All-Purpose Adhesive 8 oz. - SKU: 124193
Tools List:
Sailrite® Canvas Patterning Ruler - SKU: 107040
Gingher® Scissors Right Hand Lightweight 8" - SKU: 101017
Fabric Edge Match Pliers - SKU: 123498
Sailrite® Bakelite Mallet 13 oz. - SKU: 123309

[@robertschulke1596]

A plastic disc with a small hole in the middle is great for marking lines off of edges. Just stick your pen in the hole and roll it along the edge.

[@chucklenz9011]

If u leave a small finger of material on the inside transition u could pull the inside material closer to the v and then pull on each side slightly towards the inside v and that portion would look nicer.

[@SailriteDIY]

Good suggestion. Thanks!!!

[@peglegtoo]

Another great "how to" from Salirite. Thanks for showing us some tricks and that its ok to struggle on difficult panels. That slow cure contact cement looks great. I will definitely be ordering some. .

[@samspade8612]

Thanks to your video I just turned a disaster into a Picasso. Just a few tweeks made all the difference. Keep up the good work.

[@docmast4959]

Had to make a new saved video list: Expert DIY. Thank you

[@jennifersmith6138]

What are the other types of 4-way stetch fabrics that you sell?

[@CrystalClearSQL]

Fabulous tutorial... That was great, well done.

[@lucilledaub5991]

I loved watching this project.

[@eskye4393]

Good job. Thanks 🙏🏽💖🥃🥃

[@deltajohnny]

This vynil stretches like a balloon! 😍😍

[@rikityrik]

This was a great video. I’m not a professional and have only upholstered a few things but the last time on the inside 90° corner I cut away to leave a long tab in the very center it did close it up nicely… didn’t look worth a darn from what I remember but I’m never satisfied with anything I do so🤷 lol I learned some things here. I like the way you cut a sample board with all the curves in it to show us. Thanks👍

[@SailriteDIY]

I'm glad you found the video helpful! It's always great to learn new techniques, even if you're not a professional. Keep practicing and you'll keep improving!

[@sallygrimmer5851]

I love watching your videos! Thanks!

[@thevjoiners]

Would it be better to do the inside corners first? Am just about to do my very first job and feeling much more confident after watching your video. Thank you!

[@meirdeaph]

Awesome

[@roberthead5591]

Hmmm. I am upholstering a boattail 1930 MG with Rexine. I used cotton canvas then batting as underlay ...used 777 and 505. Now wondering if I should contact cement rexine followed by tacks or staples?

[@SailriteDIY]

Difficult to know for sure without seeing the project first hand. Do some testing on a small sample piece, that is how I determine if a process will work or not.

[@dpheaslip]

Gotta love the bit around 19:20. Never seen a manufacturer's how to video where they tell you to" back up a little bit, see what you come up with!" I hope their Marketing Department endorses the passive/aggressive style.

[@Jim-fe2xz]

Maybe a tip for those inside square corners would be to make a small radius if at all possible. Another great project! That stretch vinyl looks like a great material to work with. I'm thinking of using it on a car dash pad restoration project.

[@SailriteDIY]

Thank you for your suggestion! Making a small radius in inside square corners is a great tip to ensure a smooth and professional finish. I'm glad you enjoyed the project and found the stretch vinyl to be a great material. Good luck with your car dash pad restoration project!

[@thevjoiners]

What is that fabric puller called? I’ve been trying to find one but don’t know the right search words

[@SailriteDIY]

Fabric Edge Match Pliers www.sailrite.com/Fabric-Edge-Match-Pliers

[@platinumroofing2457]

really having a hard time doing this with a L shape piece that has 4inch thick foam. any help please....

[@SailriteDIY]

The process in this tutorial is for thin foams on backer-boards. Thick foam over 1/2" thick and then placed on a backer-board will often require boxing or facing strips to be sewn to the top plate to accomplish a good wrap.

[@FM-mb2lu]

My foam is 1 1/2” thick. Making the mark 1/4” from the corner results in the fabric being too short. Is there a way to figure out how deep to make the triangle cuts?

[@SailriteDIY]

A 1 1/2" foam with the added thickness of a backer board may be too think for this type of upholstery application.. In those cases, where the thickness of the application results in lots of wrinkles that cannot be pulled out, a boxing or what is often called facing must be sewn to the top fabric. That facing will allow the fabric to wrap around the top of the foam and then the boxing can be stapled to the backer board.

[@FM-mb2lu]

@@SailriteDIY Thank you for responding quickly. This makes sense. I will adjust my plans to fit the thickness of the vinyl. I am using EverSoft vinyl. The original vinyl has a very small seam allowance. Seems that I will have to increase the seam allowance in order to not have the softer vinyl bunch up, resulting in horrible looking corners. Wish me luck! This is a very important project and my first jet boat seat recover.

[@judyfelz7754]

Where do you get a fabric puller like the one he’s using in the video?

[@SailriteDIY]

You can get them here: www.sailrite.com/Fabric-Edge-Match-Pliers

[@leahhyer9448]

This video is just great. I have sideboards that I am redoing right now and boards had a long cut out with rounded edges at the ends. This was giving me fits. Now I know how to fix those ends.

[@SailriteDIY]

We are so glad that you found it helpful!