I also made this year’s must have accessory; an Orla Kiely lined spare cable pouch for my clutch, accelerator and brake cable spares:
I’ve got this tucked behind the passenger seat now, much neater:
Our Orla Kiely fabric arrived last week so I’ve been busy making curtains for the van. I didn’t get any progress pictures but they’re double faced with black out material in the middle.
All 8 made up:
And hung in the van:
Making a super cosy area to sleep in when they’re shut:
I’ve a fair bit of material left over from the bits I’ve been making so I found a few further bits to make.
The sun visors weren’t in the best of shape as the foam had lost all of their sponginess so I made some new ones.Old covers used as patterns to make new pieces:
The metal frame from the old ones was then removed. You can see how battered the foam was from where the frame was tearing through:
And new foam cut out from some scrim I had left over:
Once sewn up and put together I think they look pretty nice, just need a few new clips for them:
Just a few odd jobs this week.
Fitted a connection to the air filter to hook up the fuel tank breather:
Made a spare wheel carrier out of the same fabric as our poptop. Decided I don’t like the look of it on the van so took it off and chucked it in the garage. Much prefer the naked look. Oh well.
This weekend’s job. Start the curtains. I’ve already made some tie backs out of the leftover vinyl I had. Should inject some 70s colour into the van!
Front seats finished
Lots more cutting up of old seat covers to make patterns from:
New pieces made up:
Sewing together:
And cover made:
Original frames back from the powder coaters looking brand new:
And the covers finished and fitted. No more ripped seat digging into my arse!
Roof bed complete and front seat tear down
Continuing with the van upholstery I got the roof bed cushions all made up and installed over the weekend. The rear one is gigantic and interesting to try and man handle around the sewing machine.
B sat and watched the kids on our street for 10 minutes or so. He loves it up there.
I’ve stripped down both front seats now to start making new covers for them.
The frames overall are in pretty good condition, however the drivers back had cracked:
Quick tickle with the welder and good as new:
Rear bed cushion finished tonight. Put through quality control by Max and B and installed in the van. We’re ready for basic camping now!
Rusty Lee Rock n’ Roll bed upholstered over the last few days ready for summer passengers.
After fitting the wrong hubcaps to the van I’ve now replaced them with a nice set of stainless steel caps that fit properly:
I got sent an extra one by mistake (ssh!) so fitted it to the front spare:
I’ve been continuing with the van interior over the last month or so. Fitted the rear 3 point belt:
And then started learning how to do upholstery. Lots of practice on cheap vinyl, trying all the seams and techniques I’ll need for the van:
And as a small project, which would provide good practice for the rear bed cushions, I made the dog a cushion for his box:
I made a few mistakes on this first cover so made another which came out much neater:
Good enough for the dog at least!
And then onto the door cards. I made a test piece for the rear hatch to get a better feel for running lots of pleats:
Then moved onto the real thing.
Cutting out the fabric (Schnauzer to hold the fabric still):
Marking out the pleats:
And following a few evenings of sewing and glueing, a complete set of door cards:
I fitted them today. Lovely Jubbly!
Not quite appreciating how dark it was getting we put the glue down for the floor about 7:15 and ended up putting the first batch of tiles on by iPhone and candle light (I couldn’t find any of my torches, suspect I left them down the workshop!). Not ideal but looked great:
Finished up the tiles Monday morning when the light was better, complete with 3 coats of polish by Max:
And then fitted the Rusty Lee Rock ‘n Roll ¾ width bed:
A productive weekend!
