The Hog Ring

Auto Upholstery Community

Naseem Muaddi

Bolder French Seams With QTC Contrast

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Nothing sets off an upholstery job better than a straight French seam or topstitch. Combined with thick thread, the job really pops. In fact, you’d be surprised by how much of a difference the width of thread can make in the overall appearance of a vehicle’s interior. I was first drawn to the look of thick-thread decorative stitches by the dashboard and door panels of a 2011 … [Read more...] about Bolder French Seams With QTC Contrast

Safety-Belt Air Bags Gain Ground

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To be successful in the field of auto upholstery, we have to keep pace with the constant innovations car manufacturers make to their vehicle interiors. One of those innovations is the placement of safety air bags. Most of us already have experience working with seat, headliner, dashboard and steering wheel air bags. But since last year, Ford has been sewing them into … [Read more...] about Safety-Belt Air Bags Gain Ground

Billboard Advertising for Less than $100

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I recently found out that advertising my auto upholstery shop on a park bench would cost about $500 a month. I was so shocked that I didn’t even bother asking how much a traditional billboard would cost. Then I remembered a clever trick that I saw on a trip to Las Vegas last year. Businesses hired box trucks to drive up and down the strip with giant company ads on them. … [Read more...] about Billboard Advertising for Less than $100

How Did You Learn Auto Upholstery?

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Stories about how individual auto trimmers learned the trade has always intrigued me. It’s one of the last remaining crafts where apprenticeship is essential, so there’s always an interesting story to be told. I’d like to share with you the story of how I learned auto upholstery; and hopefully you’ll share yours in the comments section below. I have a feeling that they’re … [Read more...] about How Did You Learn Auto Upholstery?