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I have everything I need to start my project
Sewing machine, shears, hog ring pliers and hog rings, thread, , two yards of period correct ( sawtooth) fabric, three yards of cow hide pattern black vinyl, 17 yards of black welting.
Total cost $570.
Ok, almost everything. Still need some heavy needles and a big table. I can borrow the table, and the needles shouldn't be much.
If I don't run into any big problems, this project should come in about $300 under the $1000 estimate.
ok, I got my sewing machine, but it had a slight mechanical problem. I contaced the seller on ebay, and she offered a generous rebate, which I took. Now the machine is fixed, and the differen$e is more than sufficient to compensate my time.
The machine runs great, but I broke about four needles before figuring out I didn't have the foot and needle in tight enough ( PLIERS!) and that I had the foot set too close.
ok, got a test piece done, posted the pic on another thread. Its a shifter boot for a 71 satellite, roadrunner clone. For a friend, if he likes it. but, you can see the fabrics I will use. The seams are all welted, but it may not show up in the pics.
what the hell, I'll post them here too.
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/n...3358868239.jpg
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/n...3359958216.jpg
I would shop for factory made upholstery. There are a lot of companies that have the original patterns. They will make your cover and you install them yourself. The front seats should cost you less than half, of your estimate.
Today I got passenger seat out, and removed the cover from the seat back.
Got the back half of the seat back cover knocked out, in duplicate. Tomorrow I'll tackle the front half, and hopefully the seat bottom.
Passenger side seat is completed, and installed.
If I can manage, I'll post a picture.
Can't complete the drivers side. I need more welting and leather. Dude badly under estimated what I'd need.
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/n...7clone/tn1.jpg
one seat recovered.
That looks great for your first efforts! It seems like you cranked that one out, how long did it take?
it took probably eight hours and ten needles to make both front seat covers, except I ran out of welting, so the drivers side seat is not yet together. Since the seats look identical, I used the passenger side cover to template them both.
More than a needle an hour... hmmm.. I haven't figured on breaking needles. I guess I better find some before I start playing with mine! Thanks for sharing!
Use the leather needles.
My baby picked up a couple of packs of slightly lighter needles, and it took five to finish the seat bottom.
The lighter needles go through the fabric like butter, but the thread breaks them.
Holy cow, I didn't realize..
The leather needles are about a buck and quarter each!
But, if they break less often, you save money in the long run. :D
Mike
Drivers seat done, pictures to follow.
I can now confirm that the seats were re covered previously. There is additional foam on drivers seat bottom.
The driver seat has a few more wrinkles compared to the passenger, possibly resultant from taking a shortcut by using passenger seat as template for both. Seemed like a good idea at the time. Hopefully the wrinkles will work themselves out .