nerdnic

Here are the tools I'm using:





I bought a 5mm punch since it matches my OEM deviated spacing and am using a saddle stitch on the center seam and deviated stitch with waxed polyester .5mm thread. To get a straight line I use the crease tool and start punching away. This is my first leather work so I'm learning as I go.

I'll share some photos of my process for the vertical pieces if they turn out nice :-)

bogotajoe

this was actually not to bad. took about 1 hr. prototype. will refine next one. used a material called NewTec. looks just porsche leather

Hatzenbach

Wow cool stuff
did anyone ever wrap the A pillars?

bogotajoe

yes. i have wrapped those.

Hatzenbach

How difficult would you say on a scale of 1 - 10?
I have some thin Alcantara I would like to use

bogotajoe

I would say a 4.5. overall easy but gets a little tricky near the rounded part

63mercedes

Very cool topic. I make a lot of gym pads and are pretty familiar with textile fabrication. Next time you do a deviated top stitch, get a grease pencil and draw the line you wish to stitch. It'll give you a guide to follow as the needle and presser foot move over the fabric.When done, wipe it off with water and it disappears.

bogotajoe

this is the driver door inner sill in leather

the driver sill is easy to do. maybe a 5/10. the passenger side is harder since it has a pocket insert. I would say 8/10 to do.

63mercedes

I'm assuming your using a walking foot for material like that. One of the other tricks and old timer taught me was to cut off the the right side of the presser foot. You get a clear view of where the needle is going. Makes the lines come out way easier. What kind of machine do you have? I use a pfaff 145. German also lol.

bogotajoe

I have a juki dnu 1541. it is a walking foot. i have been at this for almost 3 years now and i do ok but not great. trying to get at the level of exclusive option. I will try the presser foot trick. There is no place to learn this skill unfortunately

Floyd540

To really do the french seams you need more than just a walking foot. You need a double needle machine.

bogotajoe

I agree with that. very hard to do with single needle. wrapping these car parts in leather with a top stitch is not easy. So many weird shapes and curves to consider.

bogotajoe

Door handles in Porsche leather 0.4mm and Martini Racing fabric.

Floyd540

Looks good. Are you skiving your own leather to get to .4 mm? .7 is normal.

bogotajoe

no i have it split for me. was thinking about getting a splitter but $$$$. Maybe someday!