ford bucket seats with plastic hold downs

[sharethewealth]

Hey folks!  First time in a long time I have logged on in many years as I got away from upholstery.  I'm on my 3rd upholstery job and the first time doing a car.  I have a 77 Mustang 2 here and I'm working on the bucket seats.   I went to sew the plastic clips back on to the new covers I made and my thread keeps breaking of as it tries to go through the plastic. I have a singer 111w153. I'm  using 92 thread and Schmetz 120/19 needle. I'm sure it is a needle/thread combination issue.  I just do not know what to use.

Thanks!
Tim

[JuneC]

Sounds to me like the needle is too small.  If you were sewing only fabric a 19 needle would be fine.  But I'm betting the needle leaves the hole in the plastic a bit sharp and that's causing the thread to shred and snap.  The smaller size of the hole aggravates the problem.  Also, if your thread is old, it doesn't have the tensile strength of a new spool.  Make sure your thread is fresh.

June

[sharethewealth]

Thanks for the reply June!
The spool of thread is new,  what size needle would I need?

Thanks ,
Tim

[JuneC]

I'd try a 22 diamond point. 

June