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      03-21-2012, 08:02 AM   #1
chrlod
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Add contrast seam to interior

Hi

I'm thinking of adding a contrast seam to my cars interior. I want a thin BMW-blue seam on the seats, in the door panels, on the steering wheel, and along the edge of the floor mats. The current seam is black. Because of my sewing skills I'm not thinking of replacing it, but rather add a blue thread within the black stitches. Any thoughts of how this could work out? Any suggestions for what type of thread I should use? It needs to be a strong color and good quality (like the one BMW uses) so that it doesn't get "hairy".

Would appreciate thoughts and comments

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      03-21-2012, 08:30 AM   #2
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I don't have a lot of constructive feedback other than to say that I'd like to do this also...
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      03-21-2012, 02:26 PM   #3
chrlod
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Nice to hear that you like the idea.

Can't find any info that anyone has tried this, so I'll probably just have to try and figure it out myself. I'll contact a sewing store and get some advise on a though/durable thread I can use. As for the floor mats I'll check the cost for a set of new ones with the blue seam.
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      03-21-2012, 03:46 PM   #4
mdputnam
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Are you going to use a sewing machine? The thread used to sew seats is typically a bonded T-270 Nylon Thread see this website. A typical consumer sewing machine will not be capable of using this type of thick stiff thread. You need a commercial sewing machine designed for upholstery. There are workarounds, but you have to be a pretty good seamstress. It's hard to tell from the picture but if your seat is leather or vinyl any holes you make are permanent i.e. no do-overs if your stitch isn't straight.
If your thinking of doing it by hand remember a hand stitch is different than a machine stitch so it wouldn't match or exactly cover the factory stitching

Last edited by mdputnam; 03-21-2012 at 03:52 PM..
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      03-21-2012, 04:43 PM   #5
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I saw a DIY some where (maybe on z350 or MKIV VW forums) some one takes a needle and simply goes under the current grey/black thread with his accent colour of choice. Basically like a braid over the existing colour.
The guide did not say to puncture through any upholstery simply threads an accent colour around the existing stitching on
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"The 1-series is the last car that BMW engineered before the Germans, as a car-making culture, fell out of love with driving." - R&T 2013 135is
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      03-21-2012, 04:51 PM   #6
chrlod
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Thanks for the info about the T270 Nylon thread.

I don't have any sewing skills, so I won't attempt to unstitch the existing stitches even though that would give the best result. I will be sewing by hand, and won't sew into the leather. In fact I won't even take the seats apart (I might need to take the seats out of the car though). I were only thinking of interweaving a blue thread in between the existing stitches. The blue thread would only lie one the seats surface, and go under the black stitches so that its held in place. Do you get what i mean?

I made a sloppy sketch in paint to try to illustrate what i mean. Of course the thread would be tighter than on the sketch, so that it looks more like a straight line. Some of the seams are parallel. What do you think would look the best between just simple interweaving (1 on the pic) or a kind of zig-zag in between them (2 on pic)?
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      03-21-2012, 04:55 PM   #7
chrlod
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Quote:
Originally Posted by andrey_gta View Post
I saw a DIY some where (maybe on z350 or MKIV VW forums) some one takes a needle and simply goes under the current grey/black thread with his accent colour of choice. Basically like a braid over the existing colour.
The guide did not say to puncture through any upholstery simply threads an accent colour around the existing stitching on
Yea, this is exactly what I'm thinking of! Especially since it does not require any hardcore sewing skills (which I don't have)

Would appreciate it if you could give a link to the DIY. If it's not too much work finding it, of course.

Added a close up photo of BMWs original blue seams:
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Last edited by chrlod; 03-21-2012 at 07:13 PM..
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      03-21-2012, 07:26 PM   #8
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2008 BMW 128i  [10.00]
I did a quick search:
this is what i remember:
http://nsxprime.com/forum/showthread.php?t=145770

The new stuff:
http://www.8thcivic.com/forums/insid...ing-wheel.html
even using paint:
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"The 1-series is the last car that BMW engineered before the Germans, as a car-making culture, fell out of love with driving." - R&T 2013 135is
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      03-21-2012, 07:32 PM   #9
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I would be worried about fucking up and painting your leather...
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      03-21-2012, 07:43 PM   #10
chrlod
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Painting the existing stitching is not possible since it is black. Nice tip though for those who have light seams. Your first link describes exactly what I were thinking of. I had a hard time imagining what the result could look like, so the pictures there really helped. I will definitely do this. If my local store doesn't have any suitable thread, I will order the T-270 Nylon tread in Royal Blue, which is linked to earlier.

I'll update with pictures once its done. Probably wont have time until easter though. I think this will add a nice touch to the car.
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      03-21-2012, 09:25 PM   #11
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That does actually look good. What was linked on the NSX board makes sense. And it's reversible as well, which I love.

Other than needing to spend a crap ton of time, it doesn't look like a bad project to tackle. Rainy day, couple beers, some tunes - get to work.
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      03-22-2012, 04:48 AM   #12
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I have a hard time swallowing the idea of poking a billion holes in my leather as it will start to come apart over time. But whatever makes your day, all the best if you plan on venturing into the unknown!! Like to see some pics tho!!
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      03-22-2012, 05:28 AM   #13
chrlod
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JefryHorizon View Post
I have a hard time swallowing the idea of poking a billion holes in my leather as it will start to come apart over time. But whatever makes your day, all the best if you plan on venturing into the unknown!! Like to see some pics tho!!
If you look at andrey_gta's first link it doesn't actually require you to make any holes in your leather. You won't even put the needle through any part of the leather.

I'm most concerned about the amount of time it will take, as I'm not the most patient guy. Will probably do a little bit at a time.
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      03-22-2012, 07:38 PM   #14
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Me and my ignorance lol

Now I'm tempted to try such a mod but then I'll have my seats out soon so there's really no point. A nice mod none the less.
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      03-23-2012, 07:46 AM   #15
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