Campervan upholstery, what fabric to use?

[RonSwansonsLushMoustache]

I need some advice please, fabric experts, what fabric should I use to cover the seats/mattresses in our campervan conversion? And where can I buy it? I'm completely new to sewing and on a budget.

I've found a US-based ebay store that ships gorgeous Sunbrella indoor/outdoor fabric to the UK but is there a cheaper option I could use?

traditionally it's ticking fabric, but not sure whether campervans have additional requirements in terms of upholstery fabrics?

From what I can work out the advantage of indoor/outdoor fabric is it's wipe clean and very tough, and resistant to mould/mildew. But that is in relation to outdoor furniture. For campervans, I'm not sure how necessary it is but DH read somewhere that outdoor fabric is best.

Thank you for the suggestion. Ticking fabric would give just the look I'm after. Where can I buy it cheap Petula?

Your campervan really shouldn't get damp inside so don't think you need outdoor fabric. I never had outdoor fabric in my campervan. It should be as dry as the inside of a modern car.

Never had to reupholster mine so not much help. Try club 80-90, they'd give you lots of advice.

I'm hopeful that it won't get damp, we have made sure to insulate and ventilate it well. DH read something about outdoor fabric but can't remember where now. I think I'll just look for upholstery fabric in a practical colour.

i'm afraid i've never investigated a cheap source of ticking, but i imagine ebay would have some good options

Thanks. Looking there now.

Is it a VW camper? The seats tend to be upholstered in leather.

I recovered the seats on ancient caravan once and used inexpensive draylon type fabric. That was before the whole vintage thing took off, so I probably wouldn't use that again. It was very practical though.

No, it's a Transit-type van that we have converted ourselves. We're not thinking of vintage style, just practical but smart really.

Most caravans are upholstered in draylon type fabrics and I assume that's because they are comfortable to sit on, can look quite smart if you choose the right one, easy to clean and hard wearing.

If you use ticking make sure you it is washable, that you prewash it and that you make the covers removable. Ticking could get very grubby, very quickly.

I'm planning on doing mine this winter as they're a bit tatty and want to make removable ones that I can wash. I've got a VW but don't have leather seats. I quite like some of these and they're discounted at the moment.

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We got the fabric for ours at a local upholster's suppliers that was recommended by the company that lined our van. Its a dralon type I think, don't think its got any particular properties. We also did some other bits with curtaining? material from Ikea.

Hasn't gone mouldy or anything.

Thanks. I'll have a look at what ordinary upholstery fabric I can buy cheaply. Our local market has a good fabric stall and myfabrics.co.uk looks useful, thanks Queen.

Whereabouts are you? Anywhere in the North West, check out Abakhan fabrics, or down south, "The mill shop online". Both sell online, but if you go in person you'll see a better selection and can ask advice from their very knowledgeable staff.

I would avoid outdoor fabrics: they'll feel sweaty, even through your bed sheets. A good, solid cotton ticking sounds ideal, and should be nice to work with. Consider doing removable covers where possible, and don't forget to wash the fabric and any linings before you cut them, if you want to be able to wash the finished item!

I would also think about flame retardancy if you're likely to use a gas cooker in your van. I'd probably make fixed under-covers of flame-retardant felt. That provides a barrier between your washable top-covers and the foam, and you can wash the top covers without losing the fire retardant.