making your own soft top.. because lets be honest.. you've built everything else (1 Viewer)

[antFJ]

Step 1: make a pattern

I used clear vinyl from walmart to make my pattern - about 1.90 a yard and you only need about 4 yards (i think). I got 10 yards and that was way too much.

I laid out my reference top and took a few measurements of the top piece just to back up the copy method. My old top never wanted to sit right so you have to make your pattern material sit as flush against the reference top as possible to make sure the pattern is the right size/shape. for some pieces you have to improvise.

 

[antFJ]

step 2: cut out your fabric

mark out your fabric somehow off the pattern you just made. when you cut it out leave extra fabric that you will use to create your hem or seam. how much? i dont really know.. i kinda just wing it and it seems to be working just fine.


right now i'm using cheap canvas from walmart just to make sure this pattern is right and to get some practice.

i'm also using permanent markers to mark my fabric. Obviously i wont do this on the real top... but I'm not sure what I WILL use. there has to be some semi-permanent solution I just haven't found it yet.

 

[antFJ]

step 3: make your seams

to make my seams (hems?) i'm just folding the fabric over - you can get some edging if you want or even put something in the hem to strengthen it up like marshall had suggested before.

I use an iron to get the seam made nice and then use this vinyl glue which dries almost instantly to set the seam before i sew it... final step.. sew the seam down (about 1 cm away from the edge... the thread you see on your top right next to the edge is the thread that actually holds the fabric together. (see below))

 

[Icantdive55]

Sounds like a lot of us have the same idea. I also bought a singer 99k. It was $15 at a yard sale. I couldn't pass it up. If nothing else I can learn the basics on it. I have a Paki top that I bought a few years ago for my restoration and it needs some love. My thought was to fix it, install it then when I'm happy cut it apart for a pattern and make a new one out of canvass. Then I read in a diferent thread that the OEM ones were most likely vinyl in 65 so I might just keep it. Great thread idea I will follow to the end.

 

[antFJ]

step 4: assemble the pieces

when assembling the pieces make sure you think it all out and get it right the first time.. its kinda hard to undo something after you've sewn it.

i first glue the pieces together - it is actually very strong stuff and dries in a few minutes. i then make sure it's lined up properly and then go sew it.

 

[antFJ]

i'll keep posting pics as i get it together.. Just got the rear corner pieces on and now just need to make the sides. the last test fit it seems a little small but I have a feeling it will stretch out nicely.

here is the machine I bought used off ebay for around Sailrite LSZ-1

the thread UV resistant polyester
some 1'' webbing

I need some d-rings

 

[antFJ]

and the glue

 

[Assassin]

very nice work

 

[coleman2347]

AntFJ, I was noticing you are at Columbus AFB, try dropping your para loft and checking out what they use. My grandmother ran a alteration shop for 50 years and I remember to mark cloth she used a white thin square of a kind of chalk/wax stuff to mark almost everything...I bet the para guys can point you in the right direction. Another thing I remember her doing is making patterns out of brown paper, then when she was finished she would roll them up and label them to keep for later use. This is a cool project, thanks for putting it up...

 

[ATX1]

Brilliant. I think there would be a lot of interest in a bimini top, too -- and you know that would be significantly easier to make.

Good luck on your project. Sewing machines, fabric debates, etc...This is a very unique "thread."

 

[craigwanderer]

Those markers are called tailor's chalk. Rubs right off. Don't know about in the US but you can get them here anywhere they sell sewing supplies dirt cheap.

Great idea on the clear vinyl pattern material Ant. I used that one myself.

Do you have any problems with the glue gumming up the machine?

 

[duffontap]

I always thought buying my wife that sewing machine was an altruistic act . . .

Great project. I'll be watching your progress with great interest.

 

[skidplate]

Excellent thread! As stated ,we all have had this thought. I was in Harbor freight today and was eyeballing the tan, canvas drop cloths. Cheap, big , might make a decent material for a pattern. Keep up the good work.

 

[mattcamp]

great thread. thank you. I have been mulling this over for quite some time, as my Paki-top didn't weather it's first winter well at all. Please keep updating with your progress and pictures. -Matt

 

[antFJ]

Those markers are called tailor's chalk. Rubs right off. Don't know about in the US but you can get them here anywhere they sell sewing supplies dirt cheap.

Great idea on the clear vinyl pattern material Ant. I used that one myself.

Do you have any problems with the glue gumming up the machine?

ah ha! thanks! I'll have to get me some.

the glue doesn't gum up the machine at all! I used sticky velcro (since I have the rear amby doors instead of the rear hatch) and that gummed up the needle a little bit. but the glue itself once it dries is just like any other vinyl and the machine sews through it with ease

 

[Bennett]

subscribed

 

[brian243]

Check out a web site called perfectfit.com it looks like they have everything you need to make or repair a top.

 

[DSRTRDR]

when I repaired my softtop, I ordered Haartz vinyl/fabric through a custom boat top shop - they also sell zippers, yarn and other supplies - IIRC 6 yards of Haartz cost me about $180 - there are tons of colors and textures available; I found the one that matches my existing softtop perfectly in color and texture

Haartz is the material used in the Besttop softtops - to make my bikini top, I used less than 2 yards - depends on size of the roll cage, of course

I would not rely on velcro alone, the wind tends to work the flaps open at higher speeds - in fact, I recently installed snap buttons in the location of the velcro strip - what an increase in quality of life

snap buttons were the heavy duty metal snaps available at fabric stores, which also have the installation kit - looks as if it was original

 

[bikersmurf]

Those markers are called tailor's chalk. Rubs right off. Don't know about in the US but you can get them here anywhere they sell sewing supplies dirt cheap.

Great idea on the clear vinyl pattern material Ant. I used that one myself.

Do you have any problems with the glue gumming up the machine?

The other thing I've used on many materials is "grease pencils" or "china markers". They'll mark on the vinyl and come off (most colours) with a little solvent or elbow grease.

 

[antFJ]

I would not rely on velcro alone, the wind tends to work the flaps open at higher speeds - in fact, I recently installed snap buttons in the location of the velcro strip - what an increase in quality of life

for my type of soft top you need to use velcro.. otherwise you'd have to use rope like the factory ones... - I've had this top for 3 years and have never had an issue with the velcro (i'm talking about the rear of the truck not the flaps)

EDIT: below is my paki top