Homemade Skin

Borrowed an upholstery sewing machine & gave it a shot.




Rear cushion done. Corners were the hard part (that is why there is no closeup)   .

Doghouse is next, hopefully easier because it doesn't have tight corners.

The takeaway on this project is that Christine's prices are a bargain.        I probably have 12 hours of time invested in the one cushion.

Very little upholstery experience.    I did make a cover for my jet jon last year, but stitching straightness was not important on that.

One trick I picked up from a u-tube tutorial was to use carpet tape to hold the seams together while running it thru the machine. All the seams are doubled over (4 layers total), so it should be plenty strong.

I used the old skin as a pattern, checked & rechecked dimensions constantly, one of the reasons it took so long.

It was much harder to do than I though it would be.

I know Christine's is premium price, my point is that you get your money's worth from them.

+ another Chris

Finally got the doghouse done.

Here are some pictures of the process:




Top & sides attached


I
I just followed the hem, keeping the machine slow was important



Test fit at each step




Last seam



squeezing it thru the throat of the machine






Because the seams were double hems (4x thickness), I lined the inside with microfoam to level it out.


hung it upside down for the gluing operation, took every clamp I have.




Finally finished

Closing statement, this was far harder than I thought it would be, & I did not expect a picnic.

Holy crap Chris. That's incredible!!!!!
I just love to see someone step out if their comfort zone to try something new. No matter the outcome, you have a deeper appreciation for how a good professional makes it look easy and will probably never complain about what they charge to do it again.

Absolutely most impressive. Nicely done.

Have you ever though about a career change?

WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!

Very nice