[benchracer1]

I actually figured out that I can get the topstitch look buy using the ditch method and sewing about 1/8 to 1/4 in inside the ditch. My big challenge is getting the corners to lay flat. For whatever reason i am either stretching the vinyl or not leaving slack. Any tips?

[DanTwoLakes]

There isn't any magic trick to doing it, it's more practice than anything, but you need to be making relief cuts on the part of the binding that goes underneath when you go around a corner or an inside curve. Also, you just want the vinyl to lay down, you don't want it to stretch very much at all.

[benchracer1]

Apparently Im sytretching the binding a bit. I start with a 2 foot peice of carpet and a 2 foot peice of binding and end up with an extra 1/2 or 3/4 inch of binding after they are sewed together. Now that I am aware of this I will attempt to not have that happen. I guess this is the practice you speak of...........Steve

[DanTwoLakes]

If the binding is vinyl, that's not too much. It's too much when you curl the corners or mis-shape the carpet.

[benchracer1]

I am slightly in the curled region. A little more practice and I do believe I will have it. On another subject, how do you post pics?

[DanTwoLakes]

Right below the "reply to thread" box is another box called "additional options" go to the "attach files" section and click on "manage attachments" this will open up an area that allows you to post 5 pictures. Click on "browse" and you will be able to go to your files on your computer and choose a picture.

These pictures must be re-sized to less than 300KB, or they won't upload. You must re-size the pictures with whatever software came with your camera before you try to upload them.

You can also download your pictures to places like Photobucket and insert pictures directly into a message using the link icon at the top of the message box.

[jdss]

Originally Posted by esty

This is my 1st post in this forum but I read the interior section daily….about 4 months ago I bought a cheap Brother LX-3125 sewing machine at walmart for under $70.00 & started making carpet kits for BMW 2002’s…so far I’ve made, sold & ship’d 136 sets….

I don’t have any problems sewing with my cheap machine…I don’t have a walking foot or any other attachments…I buy marine vinyl at the local fabric store and generally find everything I need in the remnants section for $3.00 a yard…I cut it into strips, use a small bead of hot glue to fasten it upside down to the face of the carpet so it doesn’t move when I’m sewing it then sew it to the carpet…


Then I fold the vinyl over the edge of the carpet and hot glue it to the back of the carpet…I was concerned about the glue releasing but I made a set for myself this way over a year ago and have not had any problems…one would have to tear the carpet and vinyl in order to separate the two materials










Just thought I’d share

I'm getting ready to try some carpet binding myself.What size thread and needle did you use on these? They look great

[DanTwoLakes]

You can use a size 18 to 24 needle and size 69 to size 138 thread. I prefer size 22 needle and size 92 polyester thread, but those are just personal preferences.

[esty]

Originally Posted by jdss

I'm getting ready to try some carpet binding myself.What size thread and needle did you use on these? They look great

i use whatever needles are available at walmart and coats & clark upholstery thread, T26, size 69...