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[IvanD]

I know this question might sound stupid, but maybe there some kind of liquid/chemical which can make old hard leather to relax/flatten? I need it so I can take good templates from pieces I disassembled?

[John]

You don't want to flatten your patterns. The patterns don't lay flat because the material is stretched there. If you flatten them you will basically make the pattern bigger. So when It comes to patterns like those that are all stretched out you don't want to force them flat. You want to just focus on getting the seam area to lay as flat and naturally as possible. You have to be a detective and try to imagine how the piece was brand new. There will be a big bubble where the the pattern has stretched over time. If you flatten this you will essentially make your pattern larger and out of shape. I hope this makes sense and helps solve some of the issues your having.

If your pattern is to old it might be better to make new patterns.

If you still want to soften up you old leather. Make a mix of %50 rubbing alcohol - %25 basic dish soap - %25 water and spray it on the back side an let it soak in.
Watch this video at 19:30

[IvanD]

You don't want to flatten your patterns. The patterns don't lay flat because the material is stretched there. If you flatten them you will basically make the pattern bigger. So when It comes to patterns like those that are all stretched out you don't want to force them flat. You want to just focus on getting the seam area to lay as flat and naturally as possible. You have to be a detective and try to imagine how the piece was brand new. There will be a big bubble where the the pattern has stretched over time. If you flatten this you will essentially make your pattern larger and out of shape. I hope this makes sense and helps solve some of the issues your having.

Thanks for advices! I do try to "be detective" but even factory pieces L/R don't match. I'm talking small pieces like headrest oval sides. I took apart 2 headrest covers and the all different. Also I imagine they were all the same from a factory. Big piece that goes around hourglass shaped, I tried my best to find parallel/center/sides and make lines as natural as possible. Will see what happens when I sew it (Try #2)

If your pattern is to old it might be better to make new patterns.

Well. I tried that too with painters tape. Because leather was out of shape - foam got deformed just slightly so even paper templates didn't come out simmetrical.

If you still want to soften up you old leather. Make a mix of %50 rubbing alcohol - %25 basic dish soap - %25 water and spray it on the back side an let it soak in.

I think I will give it a try. I need to template side bolsters. I will make sure not to flatten out those stretched parts. But I do want to flatten all bent pieces, etc. I also may staple L/R pieces together to make some "average" template. What do you think?

[Cody]

A good way to make a pattern is to use scrap material. John I know like to use clear vinyl. This lets you see any marks you may have made etc. just pin it to the foam. Does have to hold the shape. Over cut the piece that you pin on so its larger than the part you want to make. Once pinned go around and draw the outline you want to cut. Clear vinyl is also good, cause the more you work on seats the more you’ll realize the seams often leave marks in the foam. You can draw on these marks and add your seam allowance and have a good pattern

[IvanD]

I know what you mean. And I would go that way maybe (as seen on different videos). Seats I'm working on don't have 1 piece top/bottom. They have 4 separate bolsters and flat top and flat bottom.

All of those parts have material wrapping around.

Anyways. I cut L/R side bolsters. Then I found factory alignment mark on those which is great. Then I got L/R stapled together at identical spots. That helped me to get overall shape correctly. Then, as per advice, I got it laid on cardboard and made templates. Added 5mm where seams will be (they had 7mm allowance and I made it 1/2 inch)

I feel good about it. Waiting on correct size needles to come in and I will give it a go.

Problem with headrest is that I'm using 1/2 inch and 1/4 on side foam. March harder to sew this way. I will try again once, but if it won't come up good - I will just 1/4 on main piece (like original was)

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