body and interior Cutting carpet set.

[Grover]

Congrats on taking the plunge. If you've not already come across it, check out a forum for automotive upholsterer's called The Hog Ring. www.thehogring.com. There are a number of different sub-forums but there are several threads about how best to bind carpet. There are a number of different tips and techniques that may be helpful to you. Regardless, those tight corners you are doing are just a challenging job, so good on you for giving it a try.

[PaulTWinterton]

Looks like a start over with the machine and being a tight corner the machine foot was slow in pulling the piece through the turn.

 

Esty?  I was in the garment trade at one time and that's what it looks like to me.  I wouldn't fault the operator or consider it poor workmanship.  Just the way things are made sometimes.

[bluedevils]

I don't know about their use of binding machines. Attached below is a corner of my original carpet. If you look closely, you will see where the area was stitched twice, perhaps becsuse they didn't get it right the first time- I'm not sure? This doesn't seem consistent with what a binding machine would do. Additionally, the stitch length was decreased at the tight curves. In my opinion, this attention to detail is inconsistent with what a non-skilled worker operating a binding machine would do but who knows, I've never operated a binding machine so I lack the ability to comment with any certainty. These are just my observations.

You are assuming those extra stitches around the corners were done at the shop who made the carpet for BMW. It is quite possible that some of the previous owners took the carpet to a local shop to reinforce the stitching or replace the binding.  However, your stitching looks very good, good job. I have to learn how to do this myself sometimes soon.

[stricht8]

Congrats on taking the plunge. If you've not already come across it, check out a forum for automotive upholsterer's called The Hog Ring. www.thehogring.com. There are a number of different sub-forums but there are several threads about how best to bind carpet. There are a number of different tips and techniques that may be helpful to you. Regardless, those tight corners you are doing are just a challenging job, so good on you for giving it a try.

I've discovered Hogring! It's a great resource! Yeah those corners are difficult for sure. I just ended up hand wheeling the whole piece as I don't have full control of the clutch motor yet.

[stricht8]

You are assuming those extra stitches around the corners were done at the shop who made the carpet for BMW. It is quite possible that some of the previous owners took the carpet to a local shop to reinforce the stitching or replace the binding.  However, your stitching looks very good, good job. I have to learn how to do this myself sometimes soon.

With a car so old anything is possible!

Thanks. It's not easy to get a straight stitch line when sewing preformed binding. The factory stitches are more straight and consistent. This could be due to eons of experience on the part of the workers or that they are in fact using a binding machine. Who knows. It would be interesting to find an old picture of these workers sewing up carpet.

[gregpark]

Binding machine. It binds dead straight with perfect corners.

[esty]

I've discovered Hogring! It's a great resource! Yeah those corners are difficult for sure. I just ended up hand wheeling the whole piece as I don't have full control of the clutch motor yet.

i just bought a new to me consew walking foot machine, with a servo motor and reduction wheel...i can slow it down so much i can almost thread it while it's running ...you guys shamed me into spending the big bucks...i'm glad i did...i used to have one like it but sold it when we moved from california

[gregpark]

Nice, that thing will pay for itself in no time Esty

[stricht8]

I wish I had a servo set-up! But since this is just a hobby for me, I can deal with the reduced speed of hand wheeling where necessary.

Congrats on the new machine!

Edited April 14, 2015 by stricht8

[stricht8]

Just installed the passenger side piece today:

Edited April 14, 2015 by stricht8

[esty]

servo motors are not expensive...i paid $55.00 for mine and the place i bought the machine installed it

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CONSEW-SM-550-1-NEW-3-4-HP-110-VOLT-SERVO-MOTOR-FOR-INDUSTRIAL-SEWING-MACHINE-/141632669400?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20f9f706d8

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SEWING-MACHINE-COMPLETE-ELECTRIC-SERVO-MOTOR-ENERGY-EFFICIENT-110V-500W-/281596598349?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item419077184d

 

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=sewing%20machine%20servo%20motor&clk_rvr_id=814265341811&mfe=search

[bluedevils]

i just bought a new to me consew walking foot machine, with a servo motor and reduction wheel...i can slow it down so much i can almost thread it while it's running ...you guys shamed me into spending the big bucks...i'm glad i did...i used to have one like it but sold it when we moved from california

It was about time Esty! Good job. You are going to love that machine. 

[stricht8]

Sewed up the tunnel piece today. My stitching is clearly getting more consistent. I used real leather for the scuff pad next to gas pedal. I figured it would wear better than vinyl and class it up a bit.