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Hot Rods Learning upholstery

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by HomemadeHardtop57, Jul 11, 2017.

  1. HomemadeHardtop57
    Joined: Nov 15, 2007
    Posts: 4,328

    HomemadeHardtop57
    Member

    A good buddy of mine, Richard Gerwer, recently retired after 50 years upholstering. Over the years he has trimmed out some cool cars like the Ray Brown roadster and some others. He's been willing to teach me for years and this Summer I finally took him up on his offer. Been going over two days a week for the past month and am learning slowly. We have been doing traditional style roll and pleats..piping..modern Sid Chavers style flat hidden seam pleats,carpet binding, and some other stuff. Really proud of what he's shown me after just a short time. Here's some pics..would like to upholster my current project when it's ready down the road.

    [​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG]


    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
  2. bct
    Joined: Apr 4, 2005
    Posts: 3,154

    bct
    Member

    nice work . I admire your zest for learning
     
  3. HomemadeHardtop57
    Joined: Nov 15, 2007
    Posts: 4,328

    HomemadeHardtop57
    Member

  4. HomemadeHardtop57
    Joined: Nov 15, 2007
    Posts: 4,328

    HomemadeHardtop57
    Member


  5. HomemadeHardtop57
    Joined: Nov 15, 2007
    Posts: 4,328

    HomemadeHardtop57
    Member

  6. Stogy
    Joined: Feb 10, 2007
    Posts: 26,345

    Stogy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Good on you Jerry and thanks for sharing this fine craft. Your work is fitting the bill to a "T". Practise is over...;) Those photos of the leather are so rich you can almost smell it. Nice to meet you Richard. Nice Hotrod and pretty wild helmet there too...
     
    mgtstumpy and lothiandon1940 like this.
  7. nrgwizard
    Joined: Aug 18, 2006
    Posts: 2,516

    nrgwizard
    Member
    from Minn. uSA

    Looks rather nicely done, to me. Seams look straight, pleats look straight & even, as does the edging, & the piping doesn't look twisted. You're doing better than I was able to do, years ago. Are you going to do deep diamond tufting, too? So far, you're on a roll... no pun intended. :D .
    Marcus...
     
    chryslerfan55 likes this.
  8. Mechanic-O-Matic
    Joined: Jul 10, 2017
    Posts: 13

    Mechanic-O-Matic
    Member
    from wausau wi

    looks great ! Im planing on trying to teach my self this winter so put up lots o pictures maby in a few years ill be as good as you on your second day !
     
  9. Mr48chev
    Joined: Dec 28, 2007
    Posts: 33,861

    Mr48chev
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Looks like you are a pretty good student with an excellent teacher.
     
    catdad49 and lothiandon1940 like this.
  10. Mule Farmer
    Joined: Jun 1, 2005
    Posts: 1,508

    Mule Farmer
    Member
    from Holland MI

  11. brady1929
    Joined: Sep 30, 2006
    Posts: 9,254

    brady1929
    Member

    Wow, wish I could do that. Amazing!
     
  12. Imwalkin
    Joined: Jul 29, 2004
    Posts: 544

    Imwalkin
    Member
    from Tucson, Az

    I am so jealous. I've been watching videos on YouTube and trying to figure things out on my own. It is a steep hill.
     
  13. Great work indeed. You're learning quickly and sewing isn't easy for most. Does the Juki you're using have a servo motor or a clutch?
     
    lothiandon1940 likes this.
  14. Beautiful work, nothing better than learning from a Master.
     
    reagen, Dino 64 and Bowtie Coupe like this.
  15. NashRodMan
    Joined: Jul 8, 2004
    Posts: 1,989

    NashRodMan
    Member

    Wow, what an opportunity!!! You don't get that too many times in a lifetime. This is something I've always wanted to learn. Its not as easy as it looks! This winter I did the door panels and carpeting in my 41 Chevy and though it wasn't extremely hard it was tedious to get it right and looking nice, like a hack didn't do it. I still see all the flaws though. hahaha Good for you HH57!!
     
  16. southcross2631
    Joined: Jan 20, 2013
    Posts: 4,413

    southcross2631
    Member

    What did you say your address is I have a project car you can practice on.
     
    mario711 likes this.
  17. catdad49
    Joined: Sep 25, 2005
    Posts: 6,401

    catdad49
    Member

    This is some Beautiful work. Both of you should be mighty proud, but don't get cocky! Don't be afraid to show us more of this, Carp.
     
    lothiandon1940 likes this.
  18. bowie
    Joined: Jul 27, 2011
    Posts: 3,098

    bowie
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Dick has done a heck of a lot of great jobs over a lot of years, you could not find a better mentor, plus he's a really good guy. Your work is lookn' good!
     
  19. brady1929
    Joined: Sep 30, 2006
    Posts: 9,254

    brady1929
    Member

    I want to see more of Richard's 32.
     
    mgtstumpy likes this.
  20. Roothawg
    Joined: Mar 14, 2001
    Posts: 24,523

    Roothawg
    Member

    That's a great opportunity. I wish I could learn that.
     
  21. indyjps
    Joined: Feb 21, 2007
    Posts: 5,377

    indyjps
    Member

    Youre getting it down, very nice work.

    Is this something you plan on pursuing as a side job or a full time?

    Consider it, youre good, pretty easy to trade upholstery work for anything you need in the hot rod world. Theres a lot more painters than upholsterers.
     
    chryslerfan55 likes this.
  22. Gman0046
    Joined: Jul 24, 2005
    Posts: 6,256

    Gman0046
    Member

    Nice work. I'm impressed.

    Gary
     
  23. Blue One
    Joined: Feb 6, 2010
    Posts: 11,459

    Blue One
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Alberta

    That looks really nice.
    How about showing us how you get the padding into them and how the backing is put on.:)
    Nice of you to share some of what you are learning.
    I'd love to have an opportunity like that.
     
    reagen and chryslerfan55 like this.
  24. I've watched my pal Dave do some beautiful work,and learned a lot when he was upholstering the Wagon,but I have not put any of it to practice with the sewing machine.HRP
     
  25. MIKE STEWART
    Joined: Aug 23, 2016
    Posts: 273

    MIKE STEWART

    Enjoyed the pics..... more......
     
    lothiandon1940 likes this.
  26. Beats reading a book. :)
     
    wood remover likes this.
  27. Rusty O'Toole
    Joined: Sep 17, 2006
    Posts: 9,657

    Rusty O'Toole
    Member

    There's a real shortage of good auto upholsterers. Most guys won't touch cars because furniture is so much easier. If you are any good at all you should have all the work you can handle. If not, the boat boys will fill in your time. A round about way of saying you are onto a really good business with high demand, good pay, and low supply. And no danger of your job being "offshored".
     
  28. HomemadeHardtop57
    Joined: Nov 15, 2007
    Posts: 4,328

    HomemadeHardtop57
    Member

    [​IMG][​IMG][​IMG]


    Made an ass cushion for my buddy Tuki.. lots of flaws but having fun learning!

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
    catdad49, Okie Pete, reagen and 9 others like this.
  29. Martino
    Joined: Nov 26, 2010
    Posts: 248

    Martino
    Member

    Very cool stuff !! Its always a great opportunity when someone with a skill and talent is willing to share and mentor an individual and pass on the trade !!
     
  30. HomemadeHardtop57
    Joined: Nov 15, 2007
    Posts: 4,328

    HomemadeHardtop57
    Member

    Having some fun making a cover for one of my chairs for outside. Got the top cover made now working on wrapping it

    [​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG]

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
    Okie Pete, reagen, UNSHINED 2 and 8 others like this.

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