The Upholstery Forum

Hi,

I have some Alcantara up in the attic that was left over from another job (maybe 15 years ago?!).
I’ve still got all the brochures and sample cards so I know this stuff is the ‘Soft’ version with 3mm foam attached for use on headlinings primarily. It doesn’t have fabric on back like the other seating specific types.

To use it on seat inserts, would you recommend bonding it to 1/4” scrim foam or just use ‘as is’? 8mm of foam might add to the bulk but the scrim on the back might help prevent it stretching / tearing on the stitches perhaps?



I’ve got enough for the job but not enough to make a full sized practice piece with..
Thanks.

The amount of foam I use on seat covers varies from no foam at all to 1/2 depend on the look I'm going for. More foam makes a softer rounder seat. Less foam make a more crisp harder edge seat.

I have never used this type of alcantara before but I would be hesitant to use it on a seat. Most headliner material are extra soft and stretchy to help form too complex shapes with out making a seam. Id be worried about it not lasting long on a seat.

Thanks for the advice John .. I think you may well be right about the risks here.

It definately does stretch much more than the seat specific (backed) stuff so it might not last well.
But interestingly, it stretches less than the vinyls I have here and seems to be much more elastic so I”ll probably see what happens with it.

With 1/4” scrim foam it has made a quite nice pleat so I’m going to continue with the practice cover and see how it goes.

Without the extra scrim foam you can’t even notice the stitch lines.

Looks great so far! Cant wait to see it finished.