The Upholstery Forum

SO, it me again with these door panels.

I did a few more mock ups just sewing on the leather and 1/4" closed cell. In the top photo I cut a v-groove in the closed cell glued the leather on and then stitched in the valley. Then glued to the panel board. The bottom photo I glued the leather to the flat foam and stitched the pattern, then glued to panel board. I took a rounded plastic paint handle and rubbed the stitch lines to adhere them well. I think that the top photo has the most definition and nicest look BUT, it does show cut mistakes/snags/my inability to stat a constant width. Today I tried a picture mat board cutter with new blade, a few designs of my own. Does anyone have a idea on how to make a constant bevel cut? Or suggestion/trick I don't know about to make a nice deep stitch line? Using 277 thread on top and 92 in bobbin. Should the leather be glued to the closed cell? I'd like this panel to look sewn-in not sewn on. It's frustrating to know what you want but not how to get it.

@kl4bidn

Hey that looks great! I cannot answer your question but am anxious for an answer. I just received 277 in the mail today that thread looks rally, really thick stitched.

Looking pretty good @kl4bidn
To get a consistent straight cut in closed cell foam I use a piece of metal bent at a 90 and run my razor along that. I show it in the door panel course when Im cutting the pleats. The curved sections you will just have to freehand.
Ive never done this before but it might be worth trying. You could back the closed cell with muslin and sew your design like you did on the lower picture with out cutting the channels.

Is their a reason you want all this stitched like that. I think it would look just as good and a lot easier. If you just had the straight pleats sewn in and the rest of the design you have there made out of separate panels. This way you could even use a different color on that middle square around the pleats.

Hope this helps

I agree with John...May be easier to sew it up like you would a seat and do separate panels sewed in with the pleats.

I have seen some people use 1/4 inch painters tape to lay out designs and then cut on each side of the tape.

3 rd way to do this design would be to cut out 2 exact copies of the door....cut your design out in the second one. Sew a regular piece of sew foam with pleats...screw the cut out design in from the back side with tiny screws. Leave out the hole where the pleats would be....slide sewn pleats into the hole cut out in the center ...works nice and looks nice. However, hard to explain by writing lol.

oh yeah the 1/4" tape is a great idea! I cant quit picture the 3rd way your describing.
It always amazes me how many different ways and techniques there is to trim a car.

Sorry I haven't responded sooner, everyones input is very important to me. I had a family emergency.
@John The main reason for a solid panel is that there is limited amount of leather as the company has disconnected it. The top panel was cut as you showed in your door panel video. It makes nice crisp finished edges, I'm just concerned with making a cutting error on the foam since the closed cell is kinda unforgiving. I am also going to try muslin on the back and just sewing it.

@Todds34rod I'm going to try the painters tape. I think I understand your third way enough to try it.

@BigRig Did you try that 277 yet?

I hope everything is ok with your family.
Yeah closed cell foam can be a little unforgiving. Luckily its not that expensive. Let me know how that method with muslin backing works. Ive never tried it.
Your pattern work looks really nice there.

I lost my pictures of how I did this panel. This is the only one I have. I sewed my pleats... Then slid pleats in behind the smooth panel, then put some tiny screws in the back to pull together. The top 1/8 panel covers my pleat edge and push clips. I also used 1/8 closed cell foam.

That looks great. Another good way to handle this. I'm going to try a few more mock ups today.

Oh ok. I understand. Looks awesome!

Thank you very much for the explanation and pictures, and it looks great!

@LeatherJohnny ,

Your sewing has given me a gift idea!

A leather cover for a mileage book Thanks Johnny! How are you feeling about your small space now? Have you gotten things organized? I think a lot of us are in smaller spaces than we want Revv Up may be in his basement too.

@kl4bidn

I have not tried the 277 yet. I just hate messing with my machine once it is set up and running a thread through it. I also need a size 24 needle and that is only by mail order for me. @Trimjobber just let your staff know what needle size to recommend for the 277 when people ask. I was sent size 22 to go with the thread not sure if it will work or not.

BigRig wrote: ↑Fri Jun 22, 2018 3:42 am @LeatherJohnny ,

Your sewing has given me a gift idea!

A leather cover for a mileage book Thanks Johnny! How are you feeling about your small space now? Have you gotten things organized? I think a lot of us are in smaller spaces than we want Revv Up may be in his basement too.

I'm really happy that you got some inspiration from me! I really love working with leather, and it has lots of possibilities

About my place, I have it organized, but the problem is that it is small and I have lots of stuff... lots of hobbies, tools...

Here it is, my first door panel...ever! I'm so happy with the way it turned out.

That looks awesome! You have gone pro my friend.

Looks great

Wow! All the sew lines are perfect!!! Congratulations and you can be proud of what you have accomplished!

That looks amazing! Nice job!

@kl4bidn that's sharp! You should be a trimmer! Lol