Quilting a New Carseat

Quilting a new car seat cover should be simple. I am thinking it will go a lot easier and faster when I start to sew it on the machine. Right? The first seam goes off without a hitch. Easy & fast! I mistakenly comment to myself that this isn’t going to be that bad after all.

But, as I work my way to the interior, it becomes apparent that that is not going to be easy after all! Take a quick look at this normal sewing machine space allowance. It looks quite adequate, doesn’t it?

Getting the material to the right place in the center and then navigating it to sew a straight seam becomes an impossible challenge right away. It is a real test of logistics and physics when trying to fit all the outer edges under that little space to the right of the needle. It is crazy! Involving rolling the sides up tightly then using both hands, in multiple positions, as I sew. I am now a professional contortionist who can pull, tug, center, and line up material all at once.

I get it! I understand, why the price for “long-arm” sewing machines is so high. I used to wonder why anyone would pay such a ridiculous price (thousands of dollars) just for a sewing machine. How silly. Now I see why, cause they CAN with any people who end up sewing upholstery. It is so tempting to just say screw it, and buy a machine that will make it easier. Imagine quilting without the hassle of Climbing Mount Everest.

Oh, don’t forget the necessity to own stock in needle manufacturing and Bandaids. The number of EXTRA NEEDLES required as I break them on multiple inconvenient occasions is amazing. I have become a professional needle changer on my machine, thanks to this car seat project. Maybe I should time myself to impress you.

I don’t plan to give up, as my middle name is stubborn. I manage to actually succeed in getting the pad connected to the sitting surfaces of the upholstery.

Ever seen, “The Croods”?… Da, Da, Da!!!

Tropical Upholstery Fabric

I found the most beautiful tropical upholstery fabric on sale at the store. A Waikiki Tropical floral. When I saw the material, it reminded me so much of home (Kahaluu) that I loved it. I am going to make a car seat cover for the back seat of my “new to me” Subaru Outback.

It has a dark interior and is in good shape. Before I put paintings and dogs and kids in it I thought I’d sew up a cover to protect it. I have never sewn upholstery, except for the red caterpillar seat. That was a novel story chock full of learning too. Sewing vinyl or leather with a regular sewing machine is tough but doable! I thought this upholstery material was so much lighter and it would be easy. After all, what is so hard about measuring and sewing a seat cover, or three? Ha ha.