Ok, I don't own a classic, yet, but one day.
In the meantime, I was wondering if anyone knew of a good source for retro type fabric for recovering seats. I ordered my MINI with the space grey cloth seats with the intention of eventually having them re-done. I never really loved any of the options so went with the cloth, I actually like it now that I've lived with them for awhile, but still want to get them re-done.
What I'd really like to do is get some cool looking fabric for the center of the seats and do leather on the outside edges. I think in one of the Mini books I have it shows a bunch of interiors from the 60's and this seemed to be a look that was prevalant. I have looked around here at auto upholstery places and they all seem to have mostly leather, suede or very neutral fabrics like you would see in a bland sedan.
I would love a black and white houndstooth or a tartan/plaid or even a really outrageous mod pattern that I could put with black or charcoal leather.
Any ideas where to find cool auto-grade stuff?
Thanks!
Annette

 

http://www.newtoncomm.co.uk/index.jsp

These guys. Hands down. Everyone that has picked up stuff from them on the Minimania website has raved about it. They even do new BMW MINI stuff. Check their site out - lots of examples of what they have. I think you can even get the "brocade" center stuff for the new MINI as well - that'd be kinda cool.

 

I wonder if fabric for car seats has to be any heavier or more substantial than regular upholstery fabric. hmmm

This site http://reprodepotfabrics.com/fabrics.html has some great retro fabrics if for nothing else than brainstorming ideas. Under the barkcloth and upholstery there are some very cool black/gray/white prints but they might be a bit much for a car

I looooove tweeds and houndstooth prints so I'm excited to see what you end up going with.

 

Wow, thanks y'all for great sites! I could spend hours perusing the possibilities. In the process I've also found some fabrics for my daughter's bedroom.

I like this for El Kabong, but don't know if I'd actually do it



I'm going to have to find the pics that got me going on this to begin with and get some input from those of you that know the classic look better than I.

Thanks,
Annette

 

This one is my first choice but I'm still dreaming.