Found a second 1/4” piping foot that fit. Ran some test thru two 1/2” pieces of sew foam . Overall I’m happy with the outcome minus I can see the white thread I’m using. Added a picture of what’s gonna be a prototype bottom 3/4 of the door panel. Used a ruler to trace out hard to see lines. Can’t find anything to work. I have colored pencils, ect. Anyway 1/4 sew foam seems to come out to be 1 1/2” pleats. Using***** neutral thread I don’t like. It’s like fishing line compared to thread. I don’t have black yet. Let’s see where this goes. Hopefully not to the bottle!
1957. Neighbor Ramsay and I had the body channeled, flathead installed, '39 box. Body primered, frame painted. Took a walk to Milt's Auto Upholstery, asked some questions about 'simple upholstery'. Milt mentored us in the use of sheet cotton, Naugahyde, and soft backing; we were GOING use Masonite! We learned a ton, but years later (1998) my friend Larry (Early Auto, San Jose) sent his neighbor's 8 track tapes on upholstering from scratch. Sid Chavers tapes are the most to say the least. Modern techniques, as well as some original practices. I recommend 'em.
Jigsaw is what I used for curved cuts. For the long straight cuts I just used my table saw with a cabinet fine tooth blade. Then do the remaining curves with my jigsaw.
Yeah and he bought the almost perfected version from a couple of Canadians that couldn’t get financial backing to perfect it. Edison was very good at buying up others work. Kind of like the Silicon Valley giants who buy up emerging companies today.
Anyone have any recommendations on thread? I’ve been using clear thread and it’s been more of a problem. It’s like a slinky. It curls up and comes off track and becomes a problem. When using say the white thread I have it’s soft and seems to feed a lot better. So if I’m buying thread, what should I look for? Appreciate any input
Nylon #69--Take the thread and wrap it around your fingers on each hand and pull, if it breaks. Throw it away. The thread rots on the roll as it ages. You want a strong thread.
Thank You! These part numbers are really helping. Got the #808 panel board clips on the way I just couldn’t find by googling thanks to above Hamber.. and trying not to buy a life time worth of thread most fabric places sell. Got some thread on the way from Amazon.
People think they have a machine, and they are set. It`s all the other stuff is what you really need. And you really never have enough of it. Seems like you are always needing to buy something else.
I get all of my supplies from Sailrite - Naugahyde, thread, needles, etc. They are very helpful to beginners, just give them a call. Their sew-ply foam is great for making door panels and such.
I rarely use 1/2 inch foam on door panels. I use 1/4 inch. Cut off the excess foam that overhangs the door panel. Less bulky on the back side.
It's the same with most trades. Guys buy a lathe or a milling machine and then they find out they need to buy all kinds of tooling to get the jobs done. I have been machining for 50 years, still buying tooling, 5/16-24 left hand tap last week! 60 Special
So true! Even down to the adhesive. Used some gorilla spray for the fabric foam part didn’t do***** as you can see in the photo. But I found a can of 3M for upholstery fabric for the back side and wow what a difference that made. I thru that Gorilla stuff in the trash. Got some goodies coming. Canvas ruler and transparent fabric ruler that was used in the above video that fella above posted .
I also use the DB92 bonded polyester thread for everything vinyl or carpet. The 3m spray stuff works well. Because I have a spray rig, I also use the Weldwood Landau glue. When I'm doing smaller stuff, I use the can because I don't have to clean up the spray gun. I haven't been doing this terribly long, either. I enjoy doing it myself. I already have people asking for favors..
Well after a few days at the beach I’m back at it and ran into a problem with my bobbin case I hope. Anyway laid out some pleat patterns at 1” using 1/4” foam for the door panel and got a few nice straight lines sewed in before I had a problem. Marking with a pencil due to the marking pens I have are white. Damn! Had to much adhesive in one area gave me a wrinkle. I’m gonna keep at it. Notice my cool tools? Could have used the wooden ruler it’s 1 1/8” wide. Maybe for the thicker foam it will work to get my 1” pleats for the seat? Anyway now I need a really big table. This tanker deak just isn’t big enough. But it has drawers.
Well damn, I got a panel done. Had problems with the Chinese bobbin case and finally got that figured out. Still have some knarley stitches sometime. This panel has three different threads, and a hand full of stitch lengths. Also having trouble erasing the ✏️ lead and getting the eraser color off the treads. All kinds of learning from mistakes on this one
Don`t glue the upper vinyl onto the foam until you are ready to wrap it around your panel. Stretch it into place then stick it to the foam. Then you will have less dimples. You are doing good.
Good stuff! Checaflo has some great older videos on Youtube about various pleats and piping. Accurate line layout with allowance for the rolls is paramount. So is hitting those lines! Looks like you have your pattern nailed. Keep going.
Chalk is the way to go. Also, my buddy who did upholstery for many years, cleaned finished panels with lacquer thinner. He also washed his hands with the stuff.
I would carefully test cleaning vinyl with lacquer thinner on a scrap piece first. I tried a mild adhesive remover on a piece, and the vinyl dye came right off along with the adhesive. I haven't tried it yet, but there are some videos where they mark the vinyl with a white China marker (grease pencil) and use degreaser to remove the marks. It requires a bit of planning and a good adjustment on the thread tension, but I have done some pleated panels marking the back with a #2 pencil, and also sewed them from the back.
This is what it looks like on the car door. I’m definitely gonna do this panel over. The cut out for the latch isn’t big enough and I need a few more fasteners somewhere in the middle sides. Plus I will use a better technique mounting the fabric to the panel like that fella advised above and add some heat if needed. Got blue grease pencil now for marking. May add this cotton stuff between the foam and fabric before I sew. With test it makes the pleats harder.
The Jalopy Journal
