Stumped at the moment. Surround will be white pearl, insert is red metal flake pleat like the seat. I like the a-pillar angle on the left side. Not sure what to do on the right side in front of the seat. Different designs considered. Thoughts...
My own ideas,about design,is design of anything should flow,so if a space is to be filled,I think every one likes it,when stuff matchs up. I often made drawings before,too get ideas. In the end,a design should fit in a hole,like a jigsaw part dose. As a way of explanning some.; Note that the black strips are all the same wide size,plus line up with the next panel,giving it a belongs that way look I think. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/tech-sew-at-home-upholsrety-hot-rod.604077/
So apparently I'm going against the grain...I prefer #3. You might take your question and proposed options to the photoshop thread. Their work allows you to see pretty close to a finished product before any work begins.
In roadsters and early coupes I prefer one you if can make some kind of pocket in. They are usually near the bottom with elastic. I saw one set I liked with a zipper.
I think pic number 3. Simple straight lines work well on hot rods. Curves and what not are more for customs in my mind. If I was going to do that with the colors you have I would make an inset panel and not carry it all the way up to the window edge.
There's 2 perspectives to consider, door open, door closed. 3 serves both. The window opening is the visual guide or feature. Can't see the seat angle when the door is open and 2 angles might look a little janky when it is opened. I'd also make the panel even with the window edges vs the molding edges, for very similar reasons. The molding is heavier at the back than at the front, the glass opening is visually consistent.
Thanks you guys, excellent input as always. Fyi its a 40 steering wheel in white with red grips. The more traditional pics i look at online i realize there is definitely a trend of square boxey shapes. Leaning towards not going up to the window as well now. Here's a couple pics doing just that. Im thinking the simple square now, there's a lot going on as it is.
what if the seat or the seat angle changes later? obviously do what you like and is pleasing to your eye. Def add a pocket or a pocket on the kick panel ahead of it.
I like the idea of the angle in the front. And I wasn't clear, I meant even spacing from the glass edge, as in if it's 4" from the front glass edge then 4" from the back too. Just pulling a number outta thin air. And if there's no white on the seat then going up to the molding works too. Adds color volume vs making it framed but still plays along with the rest. This is fun...
I'd think the first option here but with the rear edge following the door contour instead of the seat. My 2c
Right when stanlow69 had had enough of me i went and found these 60 pontiac stars-trim today. They're going on the door panel. Got full length plain bottoms trim too. Lets start over shall we?
If the "inserts" are going to be pleated, the 90-degree, straight box style is the way to go. The width should be a multiple of any number of full pleats, no half or partial pleats. Maybe round corners with a radius of a full pleat. The slanted "inserts" slicing across pleats at an angle doesn't work for me. Curved or arched might work, but not slants.
In post # 13, I'm in favor of the first one. The front of the door is angled, the seat back is angled. Looks right. The boxy shape is just that, boxy.
The prototype is in! Only one roll of masking tape and a 60' pontiac star-chief were harmed during production.
The Jalopy Journal
