$70.00 Leather Seats

[Yetti]

So Mrs. Yetti and I were at an Estate sale and over in the corner was a White Rotary 77 sewing machine 30% off for $70.00.   I was going to resell it, but started reading up on them and they will do leather and canvas without a problem.   Oiled it up and put the heavy duty thread that I had for the to be purchased walking foot and it is running fine.  First project was some outdoor cushion covers.  There was one hide left over from 2 hide interior project.   I almost pulled the rear seat out yesterday to start on it, but trying to pace myself.    This was a test piece of leather.

[Raptor05121]

if that thread was gold, it would be perfect!

[1964-M20E]

Looks good free hand not doubt.

 

 

[Yetti]

so learning to sew with some covers for our outdoor furniture.   I would not make it in Indonesia for speed, but they turned out pretty good.

Time to take apart some of that quality work from those people in Kerrville from back when I was in Elementary school

 

 

 

The foam is pretty good and these are some of the more comfortable seats I have sat in even at my advanced height

[Yetti]

Cup holders.  It's the first thing you look for when you get in the plane.   Also more storage.   A bit more practice and more storage added to the panel below the rear seat.

 

[Pictreed]

Very cool.  Thanks for sharing. 

[ShermAv8tor]

Awesome! I wish I could come across a deal like that on a sewing machine for leather!

[Heloman]

On ‎11‎/‎29‎/‎2015‎ ‎9‎:‎13‎:‎48‎, ShermAv8tor said:

Awesome! I wish I could come across a deal like that on a sewing machine for leather!

 I once wanted to try my hand at a replacement bimini top for my boat, so I went on eBay and found someone who sells allot of older (more heavy duty) non-commercial  sewing machines; I asked her about one particular machine she had for sale where she had posted a video of the machine sewing through 8 layers or more of blue jean material and leather; I asked her if it would do well sewing through several layers of marine canvas; she steered me to another machine she had for sale; I got it for like 130 bucks; an old sears belt drive model. It does very well through very thick material, but I think the issue with many of the non-commercial machines is the capacity of the bobbin translates to only about 8 linear feet of sewing; and the walking foot has trouble when you have big heavy pieces for it to move; but both minor issues that could be worked around. So if you have an interest, go on Ebay and get an older unit on good advice from someone who knows; they will do leather. By the way my top turned out OK, if I ever had the interest to make another I think it'd turn out nearly acceptable, but what I really learned is that I'd rather do other things then sew.

[Yetti]

And the rear seat bottom is almost done.  It is not 2 leather hides anymore.  I had to get some Real Burgundy to spice things up a bit.  And a yard of Marine Vinyl for the bottom....

 

[carl]

How about a picture of the sewing machine ?

Great idea 

[Yetti]

A couple things I have learned so far.

IT would go faster if I had patterns, I have cut the old seat leather apart and used them for patterns.

It is kind of fun to think of the people at the Mooney factory sewing the seats up.

I have a bunch of rare earth magnets to use for holding patterns together to cut.

Binder clips take the place of pinning material together to keep lines straight

I may put another layer of padding in to take out some of the slack

 

The little machine that could.    Yes I built a stand to raise it up to save my back.

When it gets thick the needle is not long enough to pick up the loop.   So there is a little bit of hand sewing.   I would never make it in Indonesia sewing shirts. Too slow.  The rear bench seems to be the hardest part of all.

And I blew the budget with the purchase of the Burgundy hide.  Another $200.00

 

 

 

 

[carl]

A very amazing job.

 

 I am surprised by the appearance of the Sewing machine. Great steal at the estate sale .

[N201MKTurbo]

The cat seems happy with the whole operation.

[C-GHIJ]

You're pretty handy with a sewing machine.  Keep the pictures coming.  Looks good.

[Yetti]

As with all new skill sets there are things that you learn as you go along.   I would do several things different if I had to do it again, but it has turned out OK. 

 

 

On to the front seats

[rbridges]

Man, that looks much better!!

[carusoam]

interesting levers on the sidewalls...

Not everybody gets those.

Best regards,

-a-