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Upholstery DIY Diamond pleats/quilting

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by jakesbackyard, May 31, 2009.

  1. Midwest Rodder
    Joined: Dec 7, 2008
    Posts: 1,768

    Midwest Rodder
    Member

  2. Cshabang
    Joined: Mar 30, 2004
    Posts: 2,458

    Cshabang
    Member

    very cool. I remember learning Diamonds...I was so frustrated it wasn't funny..I swore it off for about a minute...haha
     
  3. Ian Berky
    Joined: Nov 28, 2007
    Posts: 3,644

    Ian Berky
    Member

    Beautiful!! So much talent on this site!!

    Ian
     
  4. theHIGHLANDER
    Joined: Jun 3, 2005
    Posts: 10,248

    theHIGHLANDER
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Major PITA doing the tufted stuff, huh? Did a 1914 Chevy last month, all old world-horsehair-button tufted-leather. Little to no sewing really, more like therapy for the menatlly ill! In the end it came out looking pretty "real".
     
  5. MarkX
    Joined: Apr 8, 2003
    Posts: 1,232

    MarkX
    Member
    from ...TX

    thats a cool easy tech to follow...... thanks, I gonna try something like that on my own interior, since the person who was supposed to help me never did.........
     
  6. Retro Jim
    Joined: May 27, 2007
    Posts: 3,854

    Retro Jim
    Member

    Will the HD machines that were used in the sewing manufacturing shops work or what kind of sewing machine will work for a couple cars or so ?
    What kind of needles , thread should be used ? Where can the foam and stuff for redoing car seats ?

    Damn great thread ! Thanks !
     
  7. Von Farly 1923
    Joined: May 1, 2009
    Posts: 362

    Von Farly 1923
    Member
    from Sacramento

    Great Tech! I am taking my 1950 PFAFF dubbed "The Baron" off Craigslist and giving upholstery another try. Thanks
     
  8. jakesbackyard
    Joined: Feb 13, 2007
    Posts: 881

    jakesbackyard
    Member
    from ND
    1. Upholstery

    WOW! All these kind comments are pretty humbling for an old body/trim guy. Thank you very much. Especially when he's a FNG!

    I was gone all day so didn't have time to find the tufting book - I'll look yet.


    VonFarley - Old sewing machines never die - blow it out good and oil it and that old Pfaff will do anything a new one will. Giver hell!


    Highlander - You're right - tufting involves no sewing - It is a true art form. I salute you. But where did you find fresh horse hair? Not that I really want know....


    RetroJim - An HD machine will work if it was for heavy material. For instance a HD machine that was used for sewing shirts and dresses probably won't work. It won't take the large diameter thread required for upholstery fabrics and vinyl.

    I use #69 Nylon thread (available in a ton of colors) for most everything. If it is something that will be in the weather and sunlight all the time, like a tarp, they suggest a polyester thread. I have had no problems using nylon in roadsters or anything like that though. I use #21 needles in my machine.

    For everyone - I get most all my supplies and materials from uph. suppliers who don't sell to the general public for obvious reasons. For the do-it-yourselfer check this place out. I have purchased some vinyls (symphony - good stuff) from them because they offered a few more colors than my suppliers. They are almost wholesale to anyone and give great service.

    http://www.yourautotrim.com/

    To any trimmers who think I might be cutting into their business by posting this stuff - I'm sorry, but I learned a long time ago that the DIYers want to try it themselves and usually can't afford a professional anyway. And those who try it have a whole lot of respect for the professionals when they're done. If/when they can afford it - they'll be at your door.

    Thanks again....Jake :)
     
  9. harpo1313
    Joined: Jan 4, 2008
    Posts: 2,584

    harpo1313
    Member
    from wareham,ma

    i think most of these guys want to do their own,more pride in the end .great thread,thanks. ive always made flat panels.dont need another machine to harm me lol
     
  10. mikes51
    Joined: Oct 4, 2001
    Posts: 2,195

    mikes51
    Member

    You make it look easy. I know if I tried it, I would destroy a few sheets before I got it right.

    For example, in this photo, near the sewing machine the material is puckered up, not smooth. It must take some experience to eliminate those uneven shapes in the material.

    [​IMG]

    That is an excellent post. Well documented with good photos.
     
  11. jakesbackyard
    Joined: Feb 13, 2007
    Posts: 881

    jakesbackyard
    Member
    from ND
    1. Upholstery


    Good eye! I had to take my hands off the material to take the picture. I usually have one hand on each side as I sew, to keep the material smoothed out and no wrinkles.

    It will take a practice panel or two to get the feel of it and it will come. The thing to really work on is sewing a straight line. If you do start to weave off your chalk line, don't try to quick turn back onto the line. Gradually go back to the line and it won't show as much. The rest will be a piece of cake in no time.

    Try it on a couple of 16" X 16" pcs. first and then lay the two face to face. Sew them together leaving about an 8" opening in the middle of one side. Turn it right side out through the opening, stuff with a little poly batting you can get at Wally World, & blind stitch the opening up. Make two of them. You'll have it down pat and set one in each corner of the rear seat of your car. Just like the '60s and you'll impress the hell out of your wife or girlfriend. :D
     
  12. jakesbackyard
    Joined: Feb 13, 2007
    Posts: 881

    jakesbackyard
    Member
    from ND
    1. Upholstery

    Here's a link to the book I used to learn hand tufting. Still available for $20. Mine is dated 1981. It is written by Donald Zitur, Sr. from Brainerd, MN. It is titled "The Art of Hand Tufting".

    You should understand that hand tufting does not lend itself well on newer style seats that have sewn bands around the sides. It was more adaptable to buggy seat era cars and furniture.
     

    Attached Files:

    55Deso likes this.
  13. Kustomkarma
    Joined: Mar 31, 2007
    Posts: 898

    Kustomkarma

    Great post! Can anyone recommend any specific brands or models of sewing machines? I'm looking in the $200.00 - $300.00 range. My car needs an interior and I'm not ready to pay what I've been quoted. :D
     
  14. jakesbackyard
    Joined: Feb 13, 2007
    Posts: 881

    jakesbackyard
    Member
    from ND
    1. Upholstery

    Here's a good hobbyist machine: http://www.qualitysew.com/redesign/

    Some good used machines can sometimes be found at yard sales, auctions, etc... in the $200-$400 range.

    Good old Singer uph machines - models 28, 111w, 112w

    Good Consew machines - models 206, 224, 225, 226

    Lots of good old Pfaff (the cadillac of uph machines) models, but I'm not as versed in the numbers (I could never afford a cadillac). I think a good model is a 545.

    Good luck.....Jake
     
    6inarow likes this.
  15. SWEET!!!! Me likes!:eek: I am feeling.....inspired, wish I had a machine to try.
     
  16. Shadetree
    Joined: Feb 7, 2003
    Posts: 243

    Shadetree
    Member
    from Va USA

    Are there anywhere on the net, that a person could but diamond pattern upholstery material, already sown up???
    And does anybody know, if there is a place, to buy diamond patterned seat covers???

    I love the diamond stuff, but I don't have the sewing machine,etc, and I definitely don't have the talent, skill, or Patience's!!lol

    I just started, trying to brighten up my interior, and it hasn't took me long to realize, that this is going to be the hardest for me, to try, and get to looking right!!

    Thanks
    Duane
     
  17. jakesbackyard
    Joined: Feb 13, 2007
    Posts: 881

    jakesbackyard
    Member
    from ND
    1. Upholstery

  18. Pinstriper40
    Joined: Sep 24, 2007
    Posts: 3,602

    Pinstriper40
    Member

    I'm feeling inspired jake! I just got some blue metalflake vinyl for the A coupe... maybe some diamonds will make their way into it's interior! We'll have to see. Hell of a nice tech thread though! Not bad for a FNG!
     
  19. jakesbackyard
    Joined: Feb 13, 2007
    Posts: 881

    jakesbackyard
    Member
    from ND
    1. Upholstery

    Joel....use some denser foam for that metalflake vinyl....it's some thick/heavy stuff and the cheap foam won't hold the puffs real well.....you can always give me a call.
     
  20. BTT

    Seems to be a bunch of interior stuff lately!!

    Does anyone have any more info on the diamond tufted pleating stuff?

    Bill
     
  21. Covergirl
    Joined: Jan 20, 2010
    Posts: 4

    Covergirl
    Member
    from Oklahoma

    Great thread! Always looking for new and better ways to do a Diamond pattern. Thanks for the info on the book also. Definitely saving this one.
     
  22. shell2922
    Joined: Jun 8, 2010
    Posts: 3

    shell2922
    Member
    from Michigan

    JakesBackyard,

    Can You tell me What type of sewing machine and needle I would need to sew marine vinyl. Is there a special foot you use to sew the Diamond pleats.
    Thanks
     
  23. Or, if you really want to complicate things, how about doubles...?
    [​IMG]
     
  24. Kan Kustom
    Joined: Jul 20, 2009
    Posts: 2,739

    Kan Kustom
    Member

    Thanks for sharing.
     
  25. jakesbackyard
    Joined: Feb 13, 2007
    Posts: 881

    jakesbackyard
    Member
    from ND
    1. Upholstery

    Any good uph machine will sew marine vinyl. Usually marine vinyl is just like regular vinyl, but is treated with UV screeners. No special foot is required for sewing the diamonds. I use the regular cording foot on my machine for most everything.

    If you're looking for more info on uph machines or uph in general - check out the Upholstery Social group. Lot's of great info.

    http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/group.php?groupid=174



     
  26. shell2922
    Joined: Jun 8, 2010
    Posts: 3

    shell2922
    Member
    from Michigan

    When I sew my stitch gets very small, why? I'm sewing marine vinyl with a backing.
     
  27. shell2922
    Joined: Jun 8, 2010
    Posts: 3

    shell2922
    Member
    from Michigan

    what thread is used for marine vinyl?
     
  28. jakesbackyard
    Joined: Feb 13, 2007
    Posts: 881

    jakesbackyard
    Member
    from ND
    1. Upholstery

    Not sure about the small stitch....set it on the longest your machine will go. If the vinyl is real sticky spray some silicone spray on the machine bed and under the feet.

    Most companies recommend polyester thread for out door use. I use nylon for everything and have never had problems.
     
  29. subscribed , amazing turtorial thank you
     
  30. Tommy454
    Joined: Sep 6, 2010
    Posts: 85

    Tommy454
    Member

    Here are a few shots of a diamond interior job done for a customers 55 Chevy

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG][/URL][/IMG]

    [​IMG][/URL][/IMG]
     
    54fierro, 35desoto and Muttley like this.

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