Anyone stitch their own UPHOLSTERY?

 

Income tax return just showed up, and I've got two things on the purchase list:

 

Ammo reloading equipment

A Juki, or Singer Industrial machine.

 

After pricing some interior work here locally, I've decided I'm doing my own bench seat.  Should be a good way to get started.

 

If anyone has some upholstery experience, and can give me some pointers on what I'll want/need in a machine I'D APPRECIATE YOUR OPINIONS!

That's painting the frame, new foam, and a cover made from 60% black marine canvas that he would provide, and 40% indian blanket that I would provide.  I wanted a simple inset of indian blanket to mimick that of stock, only brighter, and well Mexican indian blanket.  This seat needs NO spring work done.

 

My 68 Javelin was quoted at $1400 for the stock front lowback buckets, and rear bench.  This is not of stock material, but, again a black marine grade cotton canvas that would resemble Carhartt duck denim.  $35 yd.  That's all new foam, and going over the springs in the front buckets.  I'm sure they could use it. 

 

I'm not asking for anything highly custom on any of this work.  No crazy bolstering, or intricate pattern work.

 

This price was within $25 at all 4 shops I called.  One of them is an acquaintence of mine, and was the cheapest.  Still $1900 for the work seems a little high to me.  I understand regional labor costs in Washington are ridiculous, and I don't want to tread on anyones toes as an upholstery person.  Please understand my viewpoint.

 

A used quality Juki or Singer Industrial runs from $400 - $1000 on Ebay.  Even at $1000 I'm left with over $900 worth of material to screw up on.  The foam kit for the 64 Chevy C10 bench is $100 through LMC truck.  That knocks me down to $800 worth of material.

 

I'm constantly interested in bringing all matters of automotive restoration/modification in house.  Upholstery is a remaining frontier that I feel could be conquered.  I'm sure it isn't as simple as sewing in Home-Economics class in High School, but,  if nothing else the machine, and the practice will put me much closer to automotive restoration self reliance.

 

Some of my friends laughed when I bought my Ben Pearson tubing bender.  I thought $800-$1000 for a quality exhaust job was a bit high.  I bucked up, got a good machine that made me more self reliant, and have made myself a better enthusiast.  We did Dad's AMX with 14ga aluminized, and Super 44 Flowmasters.  It was $300 in material, and I know EXACTLY what is under that car.  The quality is better than I would've got outsourcing it.  Now my friends can PAY ME $1000 to do their exhaust. 

 

I'm wanting to do typical automotive interiors, but, can also see it being used for heavy Nylon webbing, some heavy gauge leather, and other things.  I could easily see myself getting into making my own tow straps, trailer tie downs, custom seat belts, maybe even leather gun holsters, and leather gun belts. 

 

I don't really mind spending a little over $1000 on this machine if it will be able to do everything I want it to.  If it is complete overkill, I am ok with that.  I'd rather have it able to do something with ease, and be wasting it's potential than wishing I had spent a few hundred more the first time.

 

I'm having a hard time considering buying a Juki.  I know they are phenomenal from the ones I've seen working, and the one I got to play with.  I'm just a die-hard "Buy American" kind of guy, and would have a hard time NOT buying a Singer.  I'd imagine it doesn't matter much nowadays as the motors are probably all Japanese anyways.