Technical The upholstery thread to end all threads

Good to know. I don`t claim to know everything. When you teach, you also learn. That`s why I asked the question. How long has these been around. The only paying jobs since I was 19 were in upholstery shops. If you couldn`t sew on an industrial sewing machine(clutch motor), you wouldn`t get the job.

 

Nothing wrong with that.

 

I use a old Singer from the 40s at work but have a 30 Consew at home with reverse,I will be reaching retirement age in 7 years and would like to fine someone who wants to learn.

 

I will do a few and post some pictures soon. The tread I have is suppose to be correct for this type of upholstery. I called Miami Corp and asked the questions and this is what they sent me. I will try to find a number or something on it as well. Appreciate the feedback!!!! This is fun


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A designer sent me some vinyl and said do the job. About 50 yards. I thought the material was junk. So I called the manufacturer and they said it was good for 75,000 rubs. It is good quality stuff. I called my supplier and they said 500,000 rubs is better. So I told the designers customer and ordered different material. I didn`t want to the job over again in a year because of an inferior product.

 

End all upholstery job photo. Real Tooled Leather in the Ray Vega 38 Ford tub.

 

I have some great leather examples I sent for. Nice distressed stuff comes as a hide. What’s everyone’s thoughts on leather ? When did vinyl come into the picture? Was the 40’s Hot Rods and Customs probably mostly Customs leather? I know the metal flake stuff didn’t come around til early 60’s. These fake 50’s diners has metal flake vinyl on all the booths and bar stools. Anyone have any good history about the fabric used and when?


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Oil Cloth was used first (1920's), then it evolved into Vinyl, leather has always been for the wealthy guys.

 

Here’s my setup and a few seats I’ve done

 

This is PVC foam board about 1/8” thick. I used it to make all the panels in my coupe. It was under $40 for a 4x8’ sheet. It can be stapled to or glued on and will form corners and shapes with some heat gun help pretty easily. It also flexes enough to manipulate panels into a tight spot after being upholstered.

 

Looks great. Where do you buy it?

 

Buy it at your local plasticcs distributor.

https://www.alliedplasticokc.com

 

Amazing work f head

 

@F-head, I really like the bench!

 

Yeah, that bench is killer!

 

Even though I am still in the infant stages of this upholstery gig, I see myself looking at things totally different now. Anything that has upholstery is fair game now. Well in my head it is , at least...

 

I’m with ya.


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My latest which was last year on my 37 Chevy p/u

 

Was at a shop that made commercial seating for restaurants. Was helping a guy sell his double needle to them. The older lady was making welt like you mentioned. I asked if she needed a tip for the day. So I told her to make the welt as she sews it on the outer band of the cover she was sewing. Then lay the band on the face of the cover. Then sew the 2 pieces together. You will find that the seam is a lot tighter. With no thread showing when you spread the two apart. She was amazed at the difference it made. She showed the owner and he offered me a job. I declined. I was there a week earlier helping a gal pick out materials and designs for her restaurant and noticed they really need a double needle machine. Always sew the welt on the outer piece first. For most cases. Hope this helps.

 

I think I see what you mean but for us visual learners could you do a picture sequence? Thanks.

 

I put this same servo on my old jet, way better than the clutch.


Following the gospel since 2004

 

I have a stupid phone and the closest place I can pic`s off my camera is 30 miles away. The one here in town is closed due to covid. I`ll see what I can do.

 

As you make your welt, sew it onto your boxing in one step. Then sew your boxing piece onto your face panel. When you sew your boxing on, the thread will be closer to the inside of the welt. Hiding your first stitch you sewed. Most books I`ve read says to sew your welt onto your face panel first. That way, it is much harder to hide your first stitch. Do it both ways and you will see what I mean. When all sewed, spread you material apart and see if you can see a stitch line, if yes, sew the seam tighter. It takes a bit of practice on tight corners without jumping the roundness of the welt. For automotive upholstery, I almost always use premade plastic hollow embossed welt. It comes in many colors. Was used from the 60`s to the 90`s in most cars and trucks. When you make your own, it seems big and bulky, and is the first place to show wear and get torn. And never put a seam in your welt unless it is continuous. Like a square cushion.

 

A lot of talk about welt. My questions are what is common size used and where do you use it? And if you use it between two different colors of fabric which color normally is the welt going to be? Just rule of thumb?


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Any one in the Camden, S.C. area there's a bunch of "industrial" sewing machines for sale on FB marketplace. $200.
I could be wrong but I think they are from a tarp/awning shop.
Here's the link : https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/832979060874874/?ref=search&referral_code=undefined Hope this can help

 

Meca upholstery tips on YouTube has a 2 part video on how to do a top on a 32’ roadster. He does a amazing job illustrated the entire how to. Looks like he has other videos also.


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Who has a good selection of headliner materials, preferably vinyl? I do not want to use that foam backed crap used today in my 49 Buick.

 

Meca has some great videos along with Cechaflo. Lots of how to's. I bought a course from
Lucky Needle. It is 6 hours and starts right from the basics. He does a complete car. All aspects even installing rug.
There are a lot of resources online.

 

A quilter told me about chalk wheels. That is what you mark your material with when you do top stitching. Another point, never use an ink pen for marking. When the material gets hot in the sun, the ink will bleed through.

 

Saw this on Facebook if anyone is looking for a reversable motor. Wyoming.......
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/414425293077423

For a first time project, one might consider making some covers for shop tools like welders and stuff. Maybe a body bag for a bad neighbor.