auto upholstery resources?

For all you guys who stitch your own interiors, what sorts of resources do you use in your work? That is, where do you buy your supplies and how do you network with other auto upholsterers? Is there a forum similar to metalmeet.com, but just for auto upholsterers? And where do you learn new techniques?

thanks,
dan

 

Yeh, me too!
I'm a DIY guy
im

 

I just posted a thread showing my new upholstery that I did myself, first attempt at any sewing.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=301249&highlight=new+interior
I had a couple of good resources.

Automotive Upholstery Handbook by Don Taylor
Custom Automotive Interiors by Don Taylor and Ron Mangus

This thread by Skipstich on the HAMB:
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38449&showall=1

As far as materials, there are a couple of good shops in town, Galaxie Foam and Santa Barbara Upholstery in Las Vegas... check your listings! Also the internet sells everything.

 

http://www.get-up-and-go.com/upholstery-forum/

Last time I was there, they weren't very do it yourself friendly.

There are also links there for online upholstery suppliers.

Dave

 

In major cities there are. often wholesale upholstery fabric warehouses. They stock the material and supplies. Some may or may not sell to the public.

You might start here and see what you can find. http://www.google.com/search?client...tomotive+upholstery+fabric&btnG=Google+Search

That search produced this http://www.smsautofabrics.com/ that site sounds interesting.

 

Check out this place....http://www.garysupholstery.com/index.html

 

Don't forget SMS in Canby, Oregon

 

This website...
http://www.secondchancegarage.com/index.cfm
has helped me a bunch on all kinds of stuff. They even have a tutorial on padding a hard dash!
Plus, check out the 'specs' page too, real good stuff on this site.

Late
Jef

 

The Don Taylor books already mentioned are great.

If you don't want to pay the big bucks for a pro but are unsure of your own upholstery skills, you may want to consider seeking out a local technical college with an auto upholstery program. You can get the job done for a fraction of the cost.

If you decide to take it on yourself, you can pick up a decent commercial sewing machine on Craigslist. Your local library may have how-to videos as well.

 

This place seems to have everything. Its a bit tough if you dont know the proper name of something but I'm sure a phone call or email would work.
http://www.atrim.com/

Archie