Computerized sewing isn’t just the future of our industry, it’s the present. In fact, automakers and high-end trim shops are increasingly employing the technology to create unique pleats that are either too difficult or impossible to recreate on a traditional sewing machine.
Case in point: Check out the pattern sewn on the interior of this Mercedes-Benz SL trimmed by Russian Tuning Company. We’ve showcased some amazing stitch work over the years, but this one certainly takes the cake.
Tripod shapes stitched in white thread over blue leather adorn the seats, door panels and even the floor. The overlapping design of the pleats creates an optical illusion that’s truly mesmerizing.
We’ve seen trimmers take on hexagon pleats, dragon scale pleats and even Aston Martin Rapide diamond pleats, but I don’t think anyone is going to attempt this pattern — at least not without a programmable sewing machine.
What do you think? Is the introduction of computerized sewing good or bad for the auto upholstery industry? And will you attempt tripod pleats on your traditional sewing machine? (If so, we’d love to see photos!)
No doubt I love the look and would love to be able to do such a thing but this business has been great just because of the fact you don’t have to have 10’s of thousands of dollars to start but I think this is good for big shops to up sell and make more money if they have equipment but bad for the little guy just trying to make a name.
Good points Andrew. Hopefully, as this type of stitch work becomes more common, the technology to do it will also become much cheaper.
Or, at the very least, embroidery shops that a lot of us outsource work to will start purchasing such machines and sell us the service.