Necessity was the driver on this,,, I don't fit very well in anything else I've found.
Dan's advice seems to be spot on in all the treads he posts in. I'm afraid after looking at a bunch of those threads I'm looking into sewing machines to give upholstering a go. I bought a bunch of black hides on ebay some time ago and although I don't believe they are the best,,, I'd like to give it a try.