paradoxl Report post Posted October 16, 2008 Hi guys I wonder if someone is able to help me, i am having trouble adding piping to a vinyl upholstery seat. I am using a walking foot industrial machine with a piping foot, however i have found that when sewing the piping on to join 2 pieces of vinyl (like a seam) when the vinyl is stretched i can see the stitching where the piping has been attached (see the below photo)...its almost like the stitch isnt getting close enough to the piping with the piping foot...is this normal?? i didnt think you were suppose to be able to see the stitches when adding piping? You will see from the photo the area that i mean, if i stretch the material a little more you can see the stitches. I removed the center foot and replaced with a normal flat foot and found that i could get much closer to the edge but i wanted to know if i am doing something wrong? Could someone talk me through the process of adding piping to a piece of material Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
barra Report post Posted October 16, 2008 (edited) Your on the right track. Just go around again a tad closer. Everything is anchored in place now and you don't have to worry about lining everything up. Just drop your needle a little closer in toward the piping. Barra Edited October 16, 2008 by barra Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hilly Report post Posted October 16, 2008 Sometimes I take the welt foot off the machine after installing a welt, and put on a zipper foot instead. You can usually get pretty close with it. Here's a website dedicated to upholstery that you might find interesting and useful: http://upholster.com/ Just as the people here are very friendly and helpful regarding all things leather, the folks at upholster.com are equally friendly and helpful regarding all things upholstery. Hilly Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
paradoxl Report post Posted October 16, 2008 Your on the right track. Just go around again a tad closer. Everything is anchored in place now and you don't have to worry about lining everything up. Just drop your needle a little closer in toward the piping. Barra Thanks for the replies guys its much appreciated, im just wondering if i go a little closer surely this will weaken the seam putting so many holes in the vinyl? This is the process i use... 1. Lay piping cord into vinyl and sew up (to make the piping) 2. Lay piping along the first piece of vinyl and sew on 3. lay other piece of vinyl on top and sew on Thats basically 3 lines of stitch going through the piping...is this correct? i assumed the more lines of stitch the weaker the joint? The only other way i can see of doing it is to make the piping then sew the bottom and top piece of vinyl to the piping at the same time?...what is the normal sewing process? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
barra Report post Posted October 16, 2008 Normally both top and bottom and piping are sewn in all together. This can be a bit tricky so some people do it as you describe. Have a go next time sewing everything in one hit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
paradoxl Report post Posted October 16, 2008 Normally both top and bottom and piping are sewn in all together. This can be a bit tricky so some people do it as you describe. Have a go next time sewing everything in one hit. Thanks again for the info thats great, i will give it a try...nice to know i wasnt completely off with my attempts. Im just wondering....do you get zipper feet or something that i can get close to the pipe with for the industrial brother walking foot machines?? i cant seem to find them anywhere Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
barra Report post Posted October 16, 2008 You can also get pre made piping (this is the ducks guts). This has the core and outer covering all, well pre made. It comes in every colour of the rainbow. Nothing wrong with making your own, just the pre made speeds up the job. It even has little notches every inch or so to assist you going around curves. If you do make your own piping just snick notches into the vinyl every inch or there abouts. I'm trying to find a pic. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luke Hatley Report post Posted October 16, 2008 hey , I beleive that you need to get a "CORDING FOOT",THIS FOOT WILL ENABLE YOU TO SEW MUCH CLOSER TO THE PIPING. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
barra Report post Posted October 16, 2008 (edited) http://www.nolans.com.au/PDF/Fasteners_Fit...Accessories.pdf Of course this is an Australian supplier but if you search for motor trimmer/upholsterer suppliers you should find some. As Hilly suggested, upholster.com is a good source for advice. Page 26. Pre covered seat vinyl cord. Barra Edited October 16, 2008 by barra Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
