Moving onto upholstery. Warning: It is my first interior project. I started working on E34 interior last year but car was totaled and that project never got finished.
I have some practice already. I watched tons and tons of videos. I have probably 4-6hr behind sewing machine. Know enough to be dangerous, have proper equipment. In theory nothing holding me back
Sewing is engineering project. You have to understand how parts go together, in which order, have to be able to visualize in 3D, etc. It's very technical thing as there is many of parts going together. You also need to understand how material behaves (i.e. which way leather stretching). Many details that need to be taken care of in order to get good result.
After taking seat apart there is couple of obvious observations:
1. Factory quality is so-so. It should not be a problem for good professional to replicate. There is plenty of non-so-straight seams and so on.
2. Factory covers design is not so simple. It is pretty simple to sew, but there is a lot of parts and I have to keep track of all of the details and order of assembly. I take tons of pictures and notes..
3. Factory covers is not all leather. Only faces. All sides is vinyl and some fabric of different kinds.
4. It would be pretty hard to duplicate factory design in aftermarket. There is many specialized pieces which I am going to reuse. Channels, etc. "Wrinkle" specifically
5. Seats not symmetrical. Tops can be sewn the same, but mirrored. Bottoms different.
Now - secret of factory "wrinkles" unveiled!!
Those wrinkles look so "symmetrical". How?? I was really wondering, now I know. And I think I know how to make my seats repeat this.
Those felt pads(dark gray) glued to leather. They have pattern cutouts (see pic) which when you make everything will make leather wrinkle into those voids. Simple.
And, at the same time understandable that it's PITA for aftermarket to repeat.
P.S. Why DIY? It is not about money. First of all, whole this car is not about money, just hobby. But mainly I want to learn. And, I didn't see anyone selling acceptable quality covers. I see it from a pictures, don't even want to try and touch those replacements
I'd rather f..up myself then buy someone's else. This is very time-consuming project. I suspect it will take me full 40-60hr to finish. Will be doing one by one. Currently passenger seat.
