How To Make Your Own One Peice Headliner Overview Episode is about how to make your own one.
The fabric trim fabric on the inside of the roof of an automobile is a headliner.It may include cloth layers or a foam backing.Headliners can be made of materials that bring together multiple functions, including mounting provisions, insulation, sound deadening, and the look and feel required to be consistent with the vehicle's other upholstery.Keeping with the style of the other upholstery, the layer facing inside could be a fabric that is napped to provide a soft touch and uniform appearance.The selection of materials is an important part of the process.In this article, part of our upholstery series, we take the reader through the concept, design, and step by step procedures for making a headliner for a difficult installation.If you can follow along with this type, you'll be able to tackle other simpler types as well.
There are many mounting methods.They include, but not limited to: 1) cloth strips sewn to hang the headliners down, 2) stiff wires that slide into carefully fabricated fabric layers or pockets, or 3) directly glued to the roof.The fabrication and installation of a headliners used on cars from the teens through the 1930's is examined in this article.Photos 5 and 6 show the relationship between the panels and the headliners in a vehicle.The original pics of a 1952 Cadillac sedan are shown in Photos 7 through 10 to help you understand other types of headliners.A reader can easily adapt the principles of this article to later era headliners and applications.
We will show you how to make a prototype before the final version is made.The use of prototypes in upholstery is encouraged to better understand the significance of the items shown.
There is a diagram of a typical early roof.The wood bows are used to hang the headliners on the inside as well as to support the exterior top material.The dimensions for each bow are shown.These are critical for the design and fabrication of your headliners.The order in which it will be installed is taken to the rear of the bow.You need to have access to the area to tack the headliners.A center line down the middle is a reminder of how important it is to keep a headliner centered.
The most graphic representation of the headliners is provided by this diagram.There is a side view below the upper graphic.As the listings are fastened and the front to back ends are pulled tight, it shows the spacing between bows and vertical pieces of cloth.
The diagram shows the relationship between the listings and how they are viewed from the inside.The listings can be any colour to blend into the fabric.The dotted lines are black for the purpose of the graphic, the thread color should be matched to hide the stitches.
The material is tacked onto the cross bow.The use of tacks allows the listing material to sway side-to-side when the headliners are pulled.The amount of sway would have been reduced if the two points of a staple had been used.
The cross section concept diagram shows the edges of the headliners and the interior panel board.The headliners are attached first followed by the welting.When fastened into the body's wood frame, the panel board covers the tail.
There is a cross section concept diagram of the headliners meeting a panel board.
A concept cross section view of a headliners using stiff metal rods.The material has a pocket sewn into it that allows a stiff rod to be inserted.The ends of the rod are against the body on the vehicle's roof.There is constant pressure on the rod against the roof because it is only slightly bent.The edge of the headliners is tight.This design is from the 1950's and later.
There is a 1952 Cadillac original headliner that uses the stiff wire mounting method.The dome light is flush with the headliners.The dome light is not proud.The amount of arcs in the corners should be noted.This could affect how you design and fabricate the pockets and loops.
In Photo 8 there is a view of the headliners.There is a clothes hanger above the door.You have to pay attention to these details when making your headliners.
The side view of the original headliners is shown in Photo 8.This photo shows the roundness of the headliners in the pocket.
This picture of an original auto gives a lot of information: 1) the use of a welting, 2) the relative location in relation to the door's window, and 3) the bow and listing.
Original pictures help guide us in designing our headliners by placing seams in the right places.
The prototype is made from the same material as the final one.It was bought from the local fabric store for $3 per yard.It's better to practice on the cheap material than it is to ruin it.This pattern is similar to exploding packets.It was in the bargain pile.
Prototype material is laid out on a cutting table and squared off using a large right triangle and long straight edge.If you want the diagonal dimensions to be equal, you can create an imaginary box with the full width and end points adjusted.It is important that the listings are sewn in line with the material.
The prototype headliner material is laid out on a work table and marked with lines for sewing the listings.The dimensions are derived from a diagram.
In this prototype, heavy canvas like material is cut into strips to be sewn into a prototype.The strips are wide enough to be used for sewing.The cotton material will stretch better if it is thinner.
Cloth clips and pins were used to hold the listings in place.There is a better way to keep listings in place while sewing using simple blue masking tape.
The center of the material and all listings are marked with the letter C.
The prototype is sewn onto the material.While this photo shows the use of clips, a better way is to simply use blue masking tape to hold them.
There is a view of the bows.Sometimes it's a good idea to check the dimensions of your project.There are more bows installed than needed.It's part of your design to choose which ones to use.
The prototype front and rear headliners are stapled into place.The listings extend beyond the material.This will be fixed in the final version.
There is a close up view of one of the stitches.The line is not straight despite being marked with chalk.Another reason to make a prototype.
There is a side view of the prototype headliners.Push pins are used to hold it in place.
All cotton material was used for the listings in the prototype.The lighter material will allow better side to side stretching.The material was selected from the bargain pile at the local fabric shop and has its own cutting lines.
There is a level line across the bows.When tacking the listings in place, this is the center of the bow.
The cotton material for the final headliners is wrinkled.The cotton temperature heat setting made ironing out easy.
The first task is to determine the center of the roll.Two tape measures are used in opposite directions.
There are two tape measures.The center is where the numbers are equal.To mark the center, use tailors chalk.
There is cotton material at the beginning of the roll.We used a number of methods for the prototype and large right triangle.The Tee square and straight edge were used.The roll was delivered perfectly.
The cotton material has a repeating pattern which makes it easy to cut into strips.
The end points for the seam are one of the lessons from the first prototype.The listing material is marked with a pencil and will be cut at the ruler line and folded back onto itself to make it more durable.
The back of the material has listings taped to it.The seam line on the ends of the fabric is the same as it was during the prototype.The ends that were folded back are taped to make sure they don't get bunched up while sewing.No tape will be sewn.
There is a close up view of a listing with the end folded back.There is no tape on the line.
It is important to blend the thread colour into the material.The seam won't have to stand out.The best color match was cone #3.
The placement of the seam into the material and the listing was an important lesson from the prototype.Attach the length of blue masking tape to the straight edge and mark which side of the tape you want to sew the seam on.The end of the seam is marked on the tape.Rolling the material as the listings are applied is the only way to work in a confined area.The listings are visible when the material is rolled with the good side inside.Blue masking tape is applied to the side of the headliners.The guide tells you how to sew the seam straight.
The guide tape shows the arrows for the seam.The furthest edge of the listing can be felt through the material.The seam ends here.
The material and listings are sewn onto the seam.At the beginning and end of each seam, generous amounts of thread are provided.The material is rolled to expose the guide tape.
The headliners are put in place, beginning in the center and working out on each side.The height is measured in photo 27.
There is a side view of a bow.The success of taking good measurements, folding the ends of the listings, and sewing the seam exactly where it was needed is demonstrated.
After all the listings have been tacked, there is an inside view of the headliners.The front and rear ends have not been stretched.The final version shows improvements over the prototype.
There is a welting between the panels and the headliners.35 feet of wool material was cut off the edge of the roll and a full welting roll was prepared.