DIY Carpet Cutting, Binding, and Install

[speedster911]

DIY upholstery is something I have wanted to attempt. Thanks for the encouragement and look forward to your video. Not feeling confident I can master a sewing machine.

[aread]

Hats off to you, sir. My square weave install has been daunting, and I cheated and got the carpet kit. You seem to have a nack for it though!!! Kudos!

[rennch]

Originally Posted by aread

Hats off to you, sir. My square weave install has been daunting, and I cheated and got the carpet kit. You seem to have a nack for it though!!! Kudos!

Thanks all. Why daunting? Have you tried a steamer?


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[aread]

Originally Posted by emptyo

Thanks all. Why daunting? Have you tried a steamer?

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Had some issues getting it to lay flat and smooth, haven't tried the steamer though. That might be the ticket for some of those humps and concave curves in the rear seat area.

[rennch]

Originally Posted by aread

Had some issues getting it to lay flat and smooth, haven't tried the steamer though. That might be the ticket for some of those humps and concave curves in the rear seat area.

That is what I've heard is the hit way to make it happen. I'm ordering mine from Amazon.


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[rennch]

Test fit in the car looks really good.




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[83_Silberpfeil]

@ emptyo --- have you looked into a "binder" adapter for Singer?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8GFjQfc-n0

Doesn't seem cost prohibitive, less than $15 @ Walmart. But not sure if it would accommodate thick carpeting and vinyl binding material

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Distinctive-Binder-Sewing-Machine-Presser-Foot-Fits-All-Low-Shank-Snap-On-Machines/40649395?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=1278&adid=22222222227028393384&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=61181426049&wl4=pla-96571880169&wl5=9031969&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=112561844&wl11=online&wl12=40649395&wl13=&veh=sem

[rennch]

Originally Posted by 83_Silberpfeil

@ emptyo --- have you looked into a "binder" adapter for Singer?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8GFjQfc-n0

Doesn't seem cost prohibitive, less than $15 @ Walmart. But not sure if it would accommodate thick carpeting and vinyl binding material

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Distinctive-Binder-Sewing-Machine-Presser-Foot-Fits-All-Low-Shank-Snap-On-Machines/40649395?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=1278&adid=22222222227028393384&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=61181426049&wl4=pla-96571880169&wl5=9031969&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=112561844&wl11=online&wl12=40649395&wl13=&veh=sem

I have. The issue I have with that is you'd see the thread exposed, which isn't a look I'd like for this kit. It certainly would make my life easier...but sometimes it's more work to look the part.

[rennch]

Originally Posted by 83_Silberpfeil

@ emptyo --- have you looked into a "binder" adapter for Singer?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8GFjQfc-n0

Doesn't seem cost prohibitive, less than $15 @ Walmart. But not sure if it would accommodate thick carpeting and vinyl binding material

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Distinctive-Binder-Sewing-Machine-Presser-Foot-Fits-All-Low-Shank-Snap-On-Machines/40649395?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=1278&adid=22222222227028393384&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=61181426049&wl4=pla-96571880169&wl5=9031969&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=112561844&wl11=online&wl12=40649395&wl13=&veh=sem

Plus, then I'd have to be good at stiching / sewing...which I'm not.

[83_Silberpfeil]

@emptyo --- wow, the details and subtleties that goes into it. Thanks for pointing those out. Indeed, getting it right --- or at least the exact way you want it --- does always require more work. But at end of day, totally worth it. Good luck w rest, look forward to seeing more.

[rennch]

Steamer ordered!

[somoney311]

What kind of steamer did you order? Looks like a project I would like to try since I need new carpet anyways.

[garment]

Looks really great!!

I have a strut brace going into my frunk, which requires a hole to be cut into the carpet there to accommodate the camber plate attachment (pic below - credit to Elephant Racing - only shows a "floor carpet" but mine goes up the sides). I'd like to get a grommet to install in the carpet to protect that area - any ideas?

[Dmitry at Pelican Parts]

Looks great Michael - try to make it to our Coffee & Cars on May 20th so we can see it in person!

https://www.facebook.com/events/1268272376627285/


-Dmitry

[dlagerstrom]

I love this. Looks great, congrats.

Couple of questions:
- Are you using a walking foot?
- Is the binding the 4-way stretch:
- How does it go around the curves?

Looks like my next DIY learning challenge!

Thanks.

[rennch]

Originally Posted by Dmitry at Pelican Parts

Looks great Michael - try to make it to our Coffee & Cars on May 20th so we can see it in person!

https://www.facebook.com/events/1268272376627285/


-Dmitry

I'm getting it ready for luftgekuhlt, so it will be there. And I will definitely try to make your event!


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[rennch]

Originally Posted by dlagerstrom

I love this. Looks great, congrats.

Couple of questions:
- Are you using a walking foot?
- Is the binding the 4-way stretch:
- How does it go around the curves?

Looks like my next DIY learning challenge!

Thanks.

Number one: yes to the walking foot. Number two: I'm not sure if it's a four way stretch binding. Might just be vinyl. Number three: pretty well. So far it is handled a 90° curve with no problem.


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[rennch]

Originally Posted by somoney311

What kind of steamer did you order? Looks like a project I would like to try since I need new carpet anyways.

I ordered it last night from Amazon, and it came in today. It was rated well.




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[rennch]

Well, this one really kicked my butt tonight. I thought I would pick a pair of big, easy ones, but this one was quite complicated.

First things first, to maximize your carpeting, you definitely want to lay out all of your pieces before you start cutting. You also want to use as many common edges as you can.





I decided on this one, which is the drivers side floor mat, to extract the piece of reinforced vinyl that wraps around the Accelerator pedal.



It was a fairly tedious process, but I finally removed it, scrubbed it with some hot water and soap in the sink, then pressed it flat with an iron and a paper towel between.



This piece was pretty beat up, and the default installation is glued and then sewn.



On my original Matt, the edges were raw. I wanted to have a finished edge, so I thought I would fold over the parts that were exposed.

Once I cleaned it and scrubbed it and ironed it, it looked pretty decent on the mat.



I then went around the perimeter of the vinyl with a stitch.



I thought I was home free, but boy was I wrong. The area that wraps around the accelerator pedal was my most challenging binding to date. This particular mat took me over three hours to finish. It was a real bear.

One of the main issues is, I'm struggling with how thin my binding is. I bought the 1 inch finding from global upholstery. I think it would be a much easier project with 2 inch binding, but that was not available. It means that, on the underside of the mat, I don't have a lot to work with. I Think once I finish the passenger side, I'm either going to make my own binding out of black vinyl, or find some 2 inch binding to purchase.

Either way, it came out really great, and I am one more step in the right direction.





My goal is to have the entire carpet kit finished this weekend, so it's ready to be installed next week when my car comes back!

[somoney311]

Wow, that looks awesome!


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