Leather seats are a popular addition to any car. They’re soft, comfortable and stylish, and they last a long time. However, they’re not immune to wear and tear. Over time, the leather will start to crack and split. If you need to replace your leather seat, there are a few things you need to know. In this tutorial, we will show you how to stitch a leather seat using basic stitches and supplies.
Materials
Leather car seats are a popular option for drivers and passengers. They are both stylish and comfortable, but they can be expensive to replace. There are many materials that can be used to make a leather car seat, but the most common is cowhide. Cowhide is easy to work with and has a natural look that many people prefer.
To stitch a leather car seat, you will need the correct tools and supplies. The main tools you will need are a sewing machine, thread, needles, and scissors. You will also need some leatherworking supplies, including an awl, chisels or sharp knife blades, punches or groovespunches, tacks or glue dots, hammer and nails (preferably galvanized), sandpaper (120-, 220-, or 400-grit), and oil (optional).
To begin stitching a leather car seat, take your measurements of the seat area you wish to cover. This includes the width of the seat back as well as the length of each side from corner to corner. Next, measure out 1/2-inch seam allowance around all sides of the area you wish to stitch. It’s important not to cut off too much of the fabric—you’ll want enough fabric for later patching if necessary.
Referring to your pattern or diagram if available, locate the best positions for your raw edge stitches along each side of your sectional piece. Make sure your stitching goes down into the seam allowances at least
Tools
Leather is a natural and durable material, but it can be difficult to stitch. Here are four tips for stitching leather car seats:
1. Examine the area to be stitched before starting. If there are any tears or marks in the leather, avoid stitching over them. Instead, use a seam ripper to remove the damaged areas.
2. Start by tracing around the perimeter of the area to be stitched. Make sure to leave enough space around the edge so that you can sew without running into the edge of the leather.
3. Use a needle and thread to start sewing around the outline of your tracing. Be careful not to go too close to the edges of the leather; you may need to trim away excess fabric later on.
4. Once all of your stitches are in place, use a seam ripper to remove any excess fabric. You can now trim away any extra material with a knife or scissors if necessary.
Stitching Techniques
Leather car seats are usually stitched using a zigzag stitch, which is the most common stitch used. There are other stitches that can be used, but they are less common. The zigzag stitch is easy to do and it produces a strong seam.
Another type of stitch used to attach leather car seats is the running stitch. This stitch is similar to the zigzag stitch, but it runs in a straight line instead of zigzagging. The running stitch is good for tight spots or areas where the leather is thinned out.
Last, there is the saddle stitching technique. This stitching method uses small stitches that run perpendicular to each other. It’s good for delicate fabrics or areas where extra strength is needed, like around buckles or straps.
How to Finish Your Leather Seat
In order to finish your leather seat, you will need the following:
-Leather tanned horsehide (preferably from a full-sized car)
-Leather stitching needles
-Thread in various colors
-Stitching wax
-Embroidery thread
-Steel wool or sandpaper
-Clean cloth or newspaper
1. Measure the width of your seat and make a sketch of the pattern you want to create. Allow for an extra 1/2″ on each side for seam allowances. For myseat, I wanted a diamond pattern with two rows of six stitches in between each row. 2. Cut your hide into wide strips about 1″ wide by 22″ long. The length should be slightly less than both the width and depth of your seat, since you will be trimming it later on. 3. Take one strip of hide and place it right side down on your work surface so that the raw edge is facing up. Pin in place along both edges, making sure that the ends are even and that there are no wrinkles or creases in the leather. 4. Sew together along one edge using a running stitch, then do the same along the other edge. Make sure to backstitch at both ends just to make sure it is secure! 5. Trim off any excess leather around the perimeter of your seat by cutting it close to but not quite through the stitching lines. 6. Repeat steps 2 – 5