February was a blast! We reported on the latest industry news, interviewed some amazing industry leaders, kept the auto trim community abreast of the hottest sales and promotions, and unveiled some awesome resources. Here’s a look back at February 2015.
How the Economy Affects Car Interiors
National Public Radio (NPR), which plays all day long in our auto upholstery shop, recently aired a fascinating report titled: “What fluctuations in currency mean for car interiors.” You should give it a listen.
Attend Automotive Interiors Expo 2015
In desperate need of a vacation? Why not head to Germany where you can take in the sights, experience a different culture and attend Automotive Interiors Expo 2015?
The Looming ‘Design Revolution’ of Car Interiors
With all the recent talk about how self-driving cars are going to change the way cabins look, it’s easy to forget about other interior design transformations taking place in the industry.
Save Big This Month at Kee Auto Top
Kee Auto Top is celebrating Valentine’s Day with sales and promotions you’re sure to love — including great savings on vinyl and convertible tops. Check out their February 2015 newsletter for details.
Photo: A Fresh Take on Watch Strap Pleats
Blare Design Car Studio recently posted a photo to Instagram showing off a cool new take on watch strap pleats that’s not unlike the modified hexagon pleats we showed you how to sew in August 2012.
Design Studio: 1967-69 Chevy Camaro Door Panel
We’re adding to The Hog Ring Design Studio a new series of door panel illustrations for the most popular hot rods — and we’re kicking things off with the iconic 1967-1969 Chevrolet Camaro/Pontiac Firebird.
We’ve scoured the internet for the latest employment opportunities in the field of auto upholstery and posted them on our jobs page. Best of all, we’ll continue to do so – so check back often!
10 Questions for Mike and Jim of Ringbrothers
We had the opportunity to interview Mike and Jim of Ringbrothers while in Las Vegas, Nevada, for the 2014 SEMA Show, where they debuted their latest project “Recoil” — a 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle.
Photo: 1964 Chrysler Turbine Center Console
Check out the 1964 Chrysler Turbine — which was engineered with a number of turbine-esque design cues, including its chromed-out bumpers, hubcaps, dashboard gauges and center console.
California Trim Shop Destroyed in Fire
K’s Auto Seat & Dash Cover of San Jose, California, was destroyed on Saturday in a five-alarm fire that also gutted a car audio shop and ravaged a valuable collection of classic cars.
Mercedes-Benz VRC: The 4-in-1 Convertible Top
In 1995, Mercedes-Benz sought to revolutionize the convertible top industry with a concept vehicle that not only converted from a coupé to a convertible, but a truck and station wagon as well.
Photo: DIY Door Panel Gone Horribly Wrong
I’m no expert in car audio, but I’d like to think I know a thing or two about custom door panels. While this one is certainly original, the execution seems a bit off — don’t you think?
Shop Profile: Trimmer Otsetswe Marobela
Forging a successful career in the auto upholstery industry is no easy task. No one knows that better than Otsetswe Marobela, a 26-year-old rookie trimmer in Botswana.
10 Tips to Take Your Trimming to the Next Level
Brent Parker of Brent Parker Motor Trimming in Glenorie, Australia, wrote an article for The Hog Ring listing his top 10 tips to help auto upholstery professionals take their work to the next level.
Custom Jeep Wrangler Interiors by Alea Leather
Jeep fans will be happy to learn that Alea Leather, the auto upholstery industry’s leading manufacturer of premium leather seat covers, just launched a design studio dedicated solely to the 2015 Wrangler.
Why Are Automakers Tapping Fashion Designers
Automakers are patterning with fashion designers to trim cars. We’ve covered this phenomenon in great depth, but until now never touched on the motivation behind these projects.
Check Out This Alcantara Wrapped Helmet
Aspiring professional trimmer Jyrki Raulo of Helsinki, Finland, posted a photo of an Alcantara wrapped helmet on Instagram that blew us away. We knew we had to get the backstory.
That’s not all! Pop into our Auto Upholstery Forum and visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to see what other trimmers are up to and join in the latest industry discussions.
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