How I did it: Basic sewing skills - all the seams were torn because the 10-yr-old manufacturer's thread wore out and ripped whenever I put in or took out my windows.  I replaced the broken thread with nylon-coated stainless-steel thread, available in jewelry-maker's catalogues, which I obtained from a friend who owns her own bead store.  I used the heavy gauge but if i had to do it again I think i'd go one level lighter/finer, knowing now how strong it is.  There's one repair I'll never need to make again - indeed the thread will outlast the fabric now.

From there it was a matter of carefully matching up all the same holes and sewing along all the original seams.  Basic stitches are all I know how to do, but they seem like they'll do the job.  To secure the ends of the thread, you can't tie them off like regular thread, but there are 2 options: consult an experienced jewelrymaker for crimps and a crimping tool, or do what I did...leave a significant length of thread loose at each end and use a needle to weave it in and out of all the stitches on the underside of your soft top. 

Resources: jewelrymaker's thread, small flat pliers

Oct 04, 2009, 11:44AM PDT | 0 comments