[crsweet91]

Im doing the thread exactly like in your first picture. And Im using a 22 needle. Ive tried every combination of tension adjustments, but I just cant get it to consistently sew 138 nice with no problems.

Its frustrating because Ill sew one thing nice with 138 and then start on another thing and it sews terrible. Cant figure it out. I just had my machine serviced a little while ago, so it shouldnt be any problems with it. But like I said, 92 and smaller sews perfect.

I think Ill just start saving for a machine that can do the bigger stuff with no problems. Any suggestions.

[DanTwoLakes]

I'd try a bigger needle, like 23 or 24, and see if that helps. Just for grins, do you use pre-wound bobbins or do you wind them yourself?

[crsweet91]

I ordered some 23 needles to see if theyll work. It might just need a bigger needle because now that I think about it, it almost acts like the needles too small. And I wind my own bobbins. Can a bobbin not correctly wound cause problems?

[DanTwoLakes]

I have found that bobbins that are wound by the user work better than pre-wound bobbins some times. I think it has something to do with less tension on the user wound bobbins, but that's just my own observations. I have had good luck with both pre-wound bobbins and user wound bobbins.

I guess that this response is not much help,............sorry.

[crsweet91]

23 needles worked perfect. Thanks for the advice

[DanTwoLakes]

You're welcome. Did you ever try to sew with the QTC Contrast thread? I got some size 25 needles and will try using it, but if you had no luck with it I won't try.

[crsweet91]

Havent tried it yet. Really havent had a reason to. Ill give it a try after I get my interior finished up, its been taking up a lot of my time the past couple weeks. Havent been taking on much work for anyone lately either, just trying to finish up my truck interior, want to get it done so I have something that shows off what I can do. I cant see anyone letting me do an interior with no example of what I can do, especially when your only 21.

Finally got my dash finished other than the steering wheel, dont want to cash out for it yet. Door panels and kicks should be finished and installed in the next couple weeks. Then Ill do the carpet, seats Ill do last.






Heres what Im working on right now. Ill get it finished later this week. Took a little work, as long as these dash pads arent warped theyre not too difficult to fix. Defrost vents were a little tricky, had to pop them out and do some glassing to get a nice edge around them when I wrap. Not always worth doing this especially if you can buy a new one for cheaper, but these pads are pretty pricey so it worked out.

[Hooligan32]

You do nice work, I like the choice of the dull black vinyl, it gives the vehicle a modern look. What brand of vinyl are you using?

[crsweet91]

Vinyl is symphony, kind of has a satin sheen to it. So far I like the material.
Heres where Im at with my panels. Kicks are ready to cover, changed up the panels a little. Wanted to make them look more like a stock set of panels, so bottom halves are getting a molded map pocket.

[DanTwoLakes]

Symphony has a nice pebble type grain to it and has a flat finish. It looks even better close up and in person. Good choice.

[crsweet91]

Yeah I got it because it had the pebble finish, looking at the leather on the f150 seats and comparing it to the symphony its a real close match. Hard to tell them apart. Ive found it a real good material when covering really curved or weird shaped projects, stretches really well.

[DanTwoLakes]

FYI, I tried sewing 270 thread on my Consew 255RB-3 with a size 25 needle, and was able to get good stitches. This machine has a really big bobbin so I won't have to worry about running out of bobbin thread so quickly.

[crsweet91]

Thanks to Dan's tip on using a #23 needle I was able to zoom through this french seam no problem. Symphony Vintage vinyl, wasnt sure at first, but actually looks really nice. Cant believe how good it looks and feels.

BEFORE


AFTER

[DanTwoLakes]

Yes, that Symphony vinyl is really nice stuff. Great job on that dash.

[crsweet91]

I have yet another question Dan. Do you do seat belts? Ive done a set and theyre about as simple as you get. I just copy the original stitch pattern. My worry is, is there some sort of liability doing these? I have a hard time seeing them fail at the stitches as long as it copies the original pattern.

Also what the correct thread size to use for these, just want to double check.