sewing help

[NCArcher]

I sewed that one, by way of instruction. But we were pretty much making it up as we went along.
Still, it turned out pretty good in the end. They will look great in the burgundy leather (which was an absolute bargain the price Fletty managed to get that one for. I'm going to send him to do all my leather shopping)

[shedbound]

I like to know where to get lower cost leather? just getting into the craft, and it's costing me dearly

[NCArcher]

Unfortunately that was a one off. Fletty managed to choose a hide that was purchased for some sort of demonstration or display and was sold off at a heavily discounted rate.
What sort of leather are you after? If you want Veg tanned for tooling, Tandy have regular specials. This is the current cheapy https://www.tandyleather.com.au/en/p...er-7-to-9-oz-2

[shedbound]

Apologies for hijacking a great thread, thanks for the link, i have been getting aniline dyed, and also veg, I'm making myself an apron and chisel rolls, hand saw scabbard, if that's the right term and some horse tack repairs for the wife. I have been using flea bay, at present i have found Tandy a touch on the hefty side with price, the leather i have been getting seems to be of a reasonable quality for a newbie. Although the link you gave seems reasonably priced.

[shanesmith80]

why'd you lay the chair on its side for the piccy?

Sorry, forgot to mention we just moved in with the 'Twits', should be like this.
thumb_IMG_4870_1024.jpg

[fletty]

I went to the local Clark Rubber store today and the gentlemen who served me was both helpful and knowledgable. So far, I have one of the cushion bases already fitted with webbing, 2 layers of foam and a thin layer of foam around the curved front edge. This was done by the upholsterer who wanted $500 per cushion.
The man at Clark's was surprised/critical of what had been done so far and suggested a different approach which I have now commenced. I'm not sure enough yet that it will be the best solution but I am taking pictures as I go and will post a WIP in case it is of use to others. MY most terrifying moment of the day was when I realised I had emptied the bobbin while practising sewing and I had to CHANGE A BOBBIN!
The quoted cost for 8 leather covered cushions was $4000 but so far, excluding labour, my costs are $150 for a full hide of upholstery leather and $280 for all of the foam (CUT TO SIZE ), webbing and Dacron filling.
It is highly likely that the change out of $4000 will allow me to buy NCArcher a beer in thanks for the loan of of the 'walking foot' sewing machine?

fletty

[Christos]

.....It is highly likely that the change out of $4000 will allow me to buy NCArcher a beer in thanks for the loan of of the 'walking foot' sewing machine?......

Excellent.

BUT I am would have thought that the satisfaction of allowing you to save money would be enough for NCArcher.

[fletty]

This is the first 100% Fletty effort....

image.jpg

It's still 'only' a trial but this second one benefits from the learnings of the first AND I am hoping that faults show up much more in the white leather than they will with the burgundy leather ?
This one includes the Clark-cut foam and Dacron filling which make it harder to 'assemble' but definitely very luxurious to sit on. New learnings however are that I have to narrow the cushion under-frame AND, I need a better stapler because the old one turns the final assembly into a 3 handed job when unfortunately I only have 2!
I am confident enough now however to make the next one out of the real leather.
fletty

[NCArcher]

Nice work.
And thanks again for the delivery. I got home just in time for State of Origin. Traffic was stupidly heavy.

[fletty]

And now ....... (DRUM ROLL)......... the first REAL cushion sewn by my own hands ..... (on the machine's controls that is...... )

image.jpg

I havent stuffed it properly but it's not STUFFED because I can unstuff and restuff?
Although the camera flash exaggerates it, the colour match isn't good and I've skulked back to the house for a rethink!

fletty

[NCArcher]

What do you mean by colour match?
Are you referring to the top to side panel match?

[fletty]

What do you mean by colour match?
Are you referring to the top to side panel match?

The colour match of leather to leather is beeeautiful BUT to my eyes, the 'plum' colour of the leather clashes with the 'orange' of the Australian red cedar frame?

fletty

[Sawdust Maker]

The colour match of leather to leather is beeeautiful BUT to my eyes, the 'plum' colour of the leather clashes with the 'orange' of the Australian red cedar frame?

fletty

only one thing for it pick up a burgandy chesterfield (or plum)

[NCArcher]

I'd need to see it in the flesh, so to speak, and I can see what you are saying but it looks ok to me.

[wheelinround]

Well done Alan Stop lounging about on the day bed you'd have them all finished