Hand Sewn Motorcycle Seat with Pleats?

[battlemunky]

I've done a little bit of blind sewing, it isn't really that much poking if you follow the leading thread. Your holes should be pretty much in line and once you get going there should only be a distance of a few mm you are stitching through. It is more of a probing than a poking. Even if you sandwich it you will still have an element of probing around to find the hole.

[battlemunky]

As far as piercing the thread goes, just pull the following thread and it'll pop right off the needle. I've made that a habit even when I'm not stitching blind, that is just part of my, and many others', technique. You should easily be able to see the needle once you get the first stitches made too and the foam is compressing.

[doorty]

On 7/6/2018 at 6:46 PM, battlemunky said:

I've done a little bit of blind sewing, it isn't really that much poking if you follow the leading thread. Your holes should be pretty much in line and once you get going there should only be a distance of a few mm you are stitching through. It is more of a probing than a poking. Even if you sandwich it you will still have an element of probing around to find the hole.

Okay. I'm sold. If you've done it before, then it must be doable. I ordered some of that 1/2" fabric backed foam and will give it a try when it arrives.

 

On 7/6/2018 at 6:50 PM, battlemunky said:

As far as piercing the thread goes, just pull the following thread and it'll pop right off the needle. 

Yea, I've seen others do that. Thanks for reminding me. Though I imagine blind back stitching will be near impossible.

[battlemunky]

You can feel the thread pop off the needle when it does, you just have to be aware. I'd recommend practicing on a bit of scrap first of course.

[doorty]

On 7/8/2018 at 9:22 AM, battlemunky said:

You can feel the thread pop off the needle when it does, you just have to be aware. I'd recommend practicing on a bit of scrap first of course.

Just did a test on some scap, and it works! Thank you so much for telling me this is possible. I was even able to backstitch. The only issue I have is that when I make a mistake, it's not possible to perfectly backtrack through the foam. You end up stitching the foam between the initial and backtrack hole. It's not that big a deal as I can cut the thread and start over on that section.

[battlemunky]

Super cool! You may even be able to figure out how to backtrack through the foam as you get used to working with it; Listen to your needles!

[roo4u]

i have never made that type of leather project but to me the use of vinyl underneath would present a problem if the seat does get wet and need to dry out because the vinyl material would keep any moisture from escaping.  If your top layer is heavy enough i would think that could lead to an issue with mold or leather not drying at all because of the lack of downward drainage...i dunno just a thought.

[AusSimon]

Did you ever end up making this seat? Would love to see it and any progress photos you may have. I am attempting almost the exact same thing and am just going by what I think is going to work.