Hey guys, Just posted a video on my re-upholstery project. I know I can just buy new seats or new covers, but I wanted to try to learn how to do it myself. I love the singer 911 look and I want to do something like that on my own without me costing $300k for a Singer 911. Again this is my 1st attempt, far from perfect. I've never sewed anything before. Let me know what you think or any ideas!
Here is how I did it! https://youtu.be/yxxXYjhMcXE
This is totally awesome. I've been considering doing this myself this winter. I've done a motorcycle seat by hand before and it came out great - but I would really like to get a sewing machine for car seats.
I've done a couple in leather. The RN Truck and the Esprit (RIP). I used my grandmother's hand crank singer.
In reply to Robbie:
Yeah man, you just need a size 16 needle for the leather and some patience. First night it was a little hairy but the second night went awesome!
Good job!!! I did the whole interior in my Opel GT using an industrial sewing machine. Mine was a little more complex. I put beading on some seams and pleats in the seat. The hardest part was the headliner, the kind that attaches on the edges and uses hanger rods old style and some of the smaller things like fender covers and door handle/pulls. Takes patience.
In reply to wlkelley3: Thanks! I'm planning on doing the same thing. It's my winter project
Nice work! "Hmmm, I can't afford a Singer 911, but I've got a Singer and a 911..."
Looks awesome!
Anyone ever work with buffalo? I found a place somewhere selling a buffalo hide cheaper than cow.
Thanks for sharing.
And welcome to the forum.
I considered doing this on our challenge car, but opted for glue (which didn't work like on TV....).
If I were to do it again, I would try sewing door panels before gluing to the cardboard.
I like it.
Sweet JR! I've never had the cajones to try that.
You should post in the Build Threads section of the forum.
In reply to DrBoost:
I got to check out how to do it. That does sound like a good idea.
Cool stuff!
I am surprised that new age household sewing machine made all the way through. No walking foot or anything. The new age singer my wife has can barely sew 2 pieces of sweatshirt material without getting shut down. What machine is it?
So it didn't turn out too bad for a 1st attempt. Again I've never sewed anything before. The front isn't perfect but it sure beats the huge tear across the cushion. I'm going to use this as a prototype for a few weeks. See how getting in and out of the seat holds up. This took like $12 to do. I'm still going to press on to the top insert and passenger seat on Friday when I have time-off. Thanks for the encouragement guys!
Dr. Hess wrote: Anyone ever work with buffalo? I found a place somewhere selling a buffalo hide cheaper than cow.
Doc, I had a pistol rug made from buffalo. It's kinda thin--very flexible but feels a bit uneven in thickness. I'm not sure how durable it would be for upholstery.
Why would you do that to a 944?!? 
Just kidding! Awesome work, for sure! 
(Welcome to GRM, by the way. I read the fracas over on Rennlist, over your ingenius tach mod.)
Looks cool. I've always wanted to give it a try but never had the time. I'll bet once it wears in a bit that any of the wrinkles and such will be just part of the patina of a leather seat and it'll look even better.
I so need to learn this skill. I have a set of Recaro seats in my 924s that the material on the drivers side has all but disappeared in to dust and the foam is shredding. If I could re do them it would save me MANY $$$$$ as new ones are very pricey
It's not hard, Dean, just time consuming. Take the old one apart, split every seam, lay the pieces out on the new material, mark, cut out, sew the new pieces back together, put it back on. You can get a Singer like mine for about a bill, or get an electric machine. Use upholstery thread, and I use a "denim" needle.
Buffalo hyde was used extensively for drive belts during the industrial revolution. That's what created the demand for killing buffalo, almost exterminating them. It's supposed to be pretty strong.
Check your local area for a sewing machine store. Many sell used/refurbished ones. I bought a light-commercial unit for $150. It'll sew through a 1/4" of stacked denim.
In reply to Ian F:
Or garage sales, I go this one from my mom but she has like 8 from buying them at garage sales for like $10. lol
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