Last year I looked at a thread where Skipstich gave a tech lesson on installing a custom headliner. Heres the thread: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38449&showall=1 For the last 6 months, I've been doing my own interior - this is my first auto interior and my first experience with a sewing machine. I bought a used Juki on Craigs list for $150, and I believe now that it was a good investment. I put a 68 Toronado seat in the Studebaker and upholstered all the door panels, headliner, package tray, etc. with my own design. As you can see I like tuck& roll pleats... And the machine that made it possible...
Man, that's impressive! Great work! Now you can expect all your friends to ask for help doing their interiors
Price? In adiition to the $150 for the sewing machine (which the local dealer says would have a $1200 price tag if it were in his shop) I paid about $110 for marine grade vinyl (look/feels like leather) and UV resistant thread (I was concerned about "yellowing" in the sun). Also $35 for the Toronado seat at the pick-a-part (I found almost $6 in change when I tore it apart). Figure another $50 in foam and $20 in spray glue (I used 1 gallon liquid glue, not rattle can) and an $17 harbor freight spray gun so I didn't ruin any of my own guns. Also misc cardboard/chipboard for about $15 and some misc. steel; to weld new seat brackets - just used steel lying around. Also hog rings, welting cord etc. about $15 Not to expensive if I don't count the hours... at 15 cents per hour it can add up!
Be sure to check out the thread I included in my original post... It really goes step by step so even I could do it. This is seriously my first attempt with anything regarding interior work other than metal. Skipstich is not only a great trimmer, he's very generous with his knowledge and a great teacher.
I really appreciate the post. As soon as I get mine back together I'm going to give it a go. I hope it turns out half as nice as yours. My buddy has a sewing machine so I'm good there. It was nice to see that you used the marine grade stuff as that is what my buddy was showing me that he would use.
Man...that is your first interior !. I'd say nice job even if it was your 50th. Great work. I need to give my mom a call and get her to teach me to sew. Ed
thats awsome! just goes to show ya that you can do a lot more than you think you can, you just gotta have the nuts to try it knowing that you may fail at it really, really nice!
Leonard - This is not anywhere near "original" Studebaker upholstery. My car is the result of my own ideas, dreams and somewhat different taste. I appreciate the compliments, but I kind of followed my own muse here... Thje nice thing about doing it non-stock is that there are no mistakes, only design changes! BTW - the hardest part? Those danged sun visors. They kicked my a$$. The ones in the photos are my 5th attempt. Fortunately they don't waste much material when you throw them out.
You really got a great deal on the sewing machine. I paid $1,000 for a recondition one 20 years ago. The upholstery job looks really nice. If you are not too old this could be a new career for you. On the other hand I know the .15 an hour that's about what my time figured out to be on a paint, and interior job years ago.
Custom50 - I'm old and cranky! Too old to do tedious work for picky clients. Anyway, I like doing my own stuff and for a few friends, maybe. Bragging rights are worth more than the potential revenue from doing this for customers.
I tell ya what...that looks damn good to me and it's not a cookie cutter look either...I can't believe how good that looks and then factoring in your first effort...kick*** is all I can say...you definitely have braggin' rights and may have missed your calling
Great job. Great inspiration for me with my own sewing machine thats collecting dust in the shop. -Jason
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