how come...

memphis raines · #1 (**permalink**) 11-17-2003, 01:43 PM

no one tries to sew their own top?

im thinking it couldn't be too difficult...

**Toptick** · #2 (**permalink**) 11-17-2003, 02:04 PM

I guess it's because you can't just grab your wife's Singer & start sewing. It requires a pretty stout machine, and some pretty stout skills. I have to believe that even if you had access to an industrial machine and table & an old top for a pattern, the weight of all that material would make it rather difficult to heft & turn around the machine.

Let us know how it turns out if you decide to tackle the project.

memphis raines · #3 (**permalink**) 11-17-2003, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Toptick
I guess it's because you can't just grab your wife's Singer & start sewing. It requires a pretty stout machine, and some pretty stout skills. I have to believe that even if you had access to an industrial machine and table & an old top for a pattern, the weight of all that material would make it rather difficult to heft & turn around the machine.

Let us know how it turns out if you decide to tackle the project.

Farace · #4 (**permalink**) 11-17-2003, 02:28 PM

I agree with Art. I'd also add that you'd need access to the right material and the right edging, which isn't something you're going to find at your local fabric shop. You need some very heavy weight vinyl for the window, and the ability to sew through it. You need to be able to properly seal the seams. If you're making a top with padded quarters, you need the padding and liner. It seems to me that even if one already has the skill required, the material and set-up would be prohibitive. But then there's the skill--I've sewn a couple of shirts for myself from scratch before. I can't imagine doing that with top material, and learning could be awfully expensive in cost of ruined supplies. Just sewing a straight line isn't always the easiest thing. When you're done, you have to look at the cost of materials, cost of your time, and whether you've made a quality product and see if it compares with what you could have bought. There are certain things that just aren't worth doing yourself.

memphis raines · #5 (**permalink**) 11-17-2003, 02:31 PM

its been some time since i sewed, but im rather skilled. i had forgotten about the window material though. finding someone online to get me the material would be the difficult part...but.... hmm

i think i may start by redoing the interior and then consider the top after that.

**Toptick** · #6 (**permalink**) 11-17-2003, 04:25 PM

Back when I used to do a fair amount of sailboat racing I was the "designated seamtsress (seamster?)" onboard. Some of the sails were easier to work with than others. If we blew a clew on a spinnaker that was hard to fix. Small tears on the lighter sails was routine, & could often be done on deck.

If we had a problem with a heavier sail (lighter than the material for a top), you have no idea how difficult it could be to repair. Not only was the fabric heavy, but the stablizing coating made the fabric almost impervious to the needle. You had to work with a palm to push the needle through the cloth. 3 or 4 layers of material made pretty tough going, and since we were doing emergency repair, the stitches were a LOT farther apart than you would want in a top.

Save your sanity and your time. Spend the Money!! Dude, you don't want to do this!

67GTV · #7 (**permalink**) 11-18-2003, 03:00 AM

Speaking of sailing, the rear window material could be sourced from a marine supplier. Think of the canopies that cover boats. I can't find the bookmarks I saved years ago when I was doing research to just replace the rear window on my Spider's top. I gave up and bought a complete top with frame off eBay.

Anyways, I also would think that making a top by hand would be muy dificil. Perhaps you could use one of those Handy Stitch hand-held sewing machines?

memphis raines · #8 (**permalink**) 11-18-2003, 08:51 AM

you should well know those only work on drapes that are still hanging on your window :doh:

**Roadtrip** · #9 (**permalink**) 11-18-2003, 07:18 PM

I think that sewing your own top has to go into the top 10 of the dumbest ideas I've heard in car repair. If I tried that, it'd look like it came out of Dogpatch, USA.

Stop it you guys . . . . you're killin' me.

memphis raines · #10 (**permalink**) 11-18-2003, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Roadtrip
I think that sewing your own top has to go into the top 10 of the dumbest ideas I've heard in car repair. If I tried that, it'd look like it came out of Dogpatch, USA.

Stop it you guys . . . . you're killin' me.