I would also say learn by doing. The most painstaking (for me) is removing and attaching the trim, the sewing itself is fun and not that hard.
My first try was on my daily, Renault Laguna. I did everything except the sewing which my cousin did for me (works in that field). I bought used half leather front seats from the breaker (they are so much better as the basic). Retrimmed then these seats and the original back seats.
Removed the trim, which was attached with metal clips, which I believe are attached using a special tool which I don't have. This was quite annoying to remove. Then, sent them to cousin and then received the ready made pieces:
I attached the trim with zips as I didn't have the special tool
Here's the old seat and the new one. Have had these now for 4 years and still look good. Using real leather was the key, as it didn't cost that much extra, and is very confortable and elastic. I had a child seat which corners pressed on the leather for one year on the passenger front seat, and after a couple of weeks after the removal, it's as before.
Next, I decided to retrim the interior of my future wedding car, 306 cab. I used my wife's sewing machine. It was a little better than a basic one, the difference was that it could stitch through quite thick fabric layers. I bought a thicker needle (if I remember correctly, was just leather needle).
Removed the trim, cut the old stiches open so that I would have templates. Then attached one piece to another using needles/pins and sewed the two pieces together. Then did the same for the next piece etc... Remember to use the old attachment pieces used in the old seat trim in the new one. With my two seat experience, they both had some special pieces/metal inserts which I transfered to the new seat trim. Here you can see the two horizontal stripes which are fabric with a metal bar inside, and the two vertical stripes which are fabric with plastic strips with holes.
This is how it turned out:
Here are the step by step photos:
- Bottom seats masi.1g.fi/kuvat/Auto/Cabriolet/2009_05_30_S%F6p%F6n_penkkien_verhoilu/
- Front seats masi.1g.fi/kuvat/Auto/Cabriolet/2009_06_11_S%F6p%F6n_etupenkkien_verhoilu/
- Bottle holder: masi.1g.fi/kuvat/Auto/Cabriolet/2009_07_03_Sopon_muu_verhoilu_ja_niputus/
I have been very satisfied with the outcome, looks nearly factory, so is enough for me. I would say, JUST DO IT!
My first try was on my daily, Renault Laguna. I did everything except the sewing which my cousin did for me (works in that field). I bought used half leather front seats from the breaker (they are so much better as the basic). Retrimmed then these seats and the original back seats.
Removed the trim, which was attached with metal clips, which I believe are attached using a special tool which I don't have. This was quite annoying to remove. Then, sent them to cousin and then received the ready made pieces:
I attached the trim with zips as I didn't have the special tool
Here's the old seat and the new one. Have had these now for 4 years and still look good. Using real leather was the key, as it didn't cost that much extra, and is very confortable and elastic. I had a child seat which corners pressed on the leather for one year on the passenger front seat, and after a couple of weeks after the removal, it's as before.
Next, I decided to retrim the interior of my future wedding car, 306 cab. I used my wife's sewing machine. It was a little better than a basic one, the difference was that it could stitch through quite thick fabric layers. I bought a thicker needle (if I remember correctly, was just leather needle).
Removed the trim, cut the old stiches open so that I would have templates. Then attached one piece to another using needles/pins and sewed the two pieces together. Then did the same for the next piece etc... Remember to use the old attachment pieces used in the old seat trim in the new one. With my two seat experience, they both had some special pieces/metal inserts which I transfered to the new seat trim. Here you can see the two horizontal stripes which are fabric with a metal bar inside, and the two vertical stripes which are fabric with plastic strips with holes.
This is how it turned out:
Here are the step by step photos:
- Bottom seats masi.1g.fi/kuvat/Auto/Cabriolet/2009_05_30_S%F6p%F6n_penkkien_verhoilu/
- Front seats masi.1g.fi/kuvat/Auto/Cabriolet/2009_06_11_S%F6p%F6n_etupenkkien_verhoilu/
- Bottle holder: masi.1g.fi/kuvat/Auto/Cabriolet/2009_07_03_Sopon_muu_verhoilu_ja_niputus/
I have been very satisfied with the outcome, looks nearly factory, so is enough for me. I would say, JUST DO IT!
