New Skills

April 02, 2016

This week I went on a 2 day car upholstery and trimming course held by J.A. Milton Upholstery supplies in Ellesmere.

There was 4 of us on the course and our tutor was Patrick Wood who has had more than 30 years in the industry. Day 1 was spent getting to know the sewing machines and learning basic techniques used in car trimming. We learnt basic machine stitching, how to make and attach piping to our work and how to make fluting as well as what materials were needed for each job. Samples

Day 2 was what I had been waiting for, a chance to start our own projects :-) I am recovering an old car seat. I had already stripped it down in preparation for the course so I could learn the maximum amount I could. I was surprised at how difficult it was to take the old one off the chair and how much metal work there was built into the foam of the seat to keep the covers in place. Any way onto making a new cover! I have chosen to use black and red vinyl for this cover with the red used for the piping and the centre piece of the seat.

First thing I had to do was photograph the cover that I had taken off and mark out where each part joined another - this is to help when rebuilding the new one. Once I had done that I could start unstitching bits! Chair and Fluting

We made the fluting for the seat first as this is what the rest of the cover will attach to. Once that had been marked up, machined and finished we could get to work on the sides of the seat. As the original seat was made from fabric we had to alter the patterns a bit to get the vinyl to sit right. Once we were happy then these were machined on. We marked out and attached the font in the same manor. Sides and Fluting

Next I made the piping that will go around the top part of the seat, as its red it really stands out and looks cool! Once this was done I could attach this to the rest of the cover. We then got to work on the remaining pattern pieces for the seat, unfortunately this is where we ran out of time :-( so I wasn't able to finish this part of my project. The cover so far

I have learnt a lot on this course even though it was only 2 days, Patrick was such a good tutor and a fountain of knowledge. I am now off to get my own sewing machine so I can finish this seat and get started on the next ones!

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Measuring Guide

Ordering a bespoke dog collar or belt? Please read the measuring guide to ensure you order the correct size.

Dog Collars

When measuring for your new dog collar, the best option is to measure the internal length of a current collar adjusted to how you like it fitted. To do this, remove the collar from your dog and do it up at the desired fitting, then with a flexible tape measure measure around the inside of the collar. This length will be where the middle hole will fit on your new collar.

You can also measure around your dogs neck. Place the tape measure around your dogs neck where the collar will sit and to a tightness that you like.

We will use the measurements provided as the internal measurement and add 2 larger and 2 smaller holes for adjustment.

Belts

The best way is to measure your current belt from the inside of the buckle to the hole that is used most. You can also use a tape measure and measure around your waist where your belt will sit.

We will add 3 larger and 3 smaller holes for adjustment.