That is a cute little machine. Lots of seams and fitment. Two suggestions if you take it to someone to fit out: 1) if the paulin that you plan to have cut down has ever been outside, please wash and dry it well. I have taken old HMMWV vinyl in for repair as-is right off the truck and the dirt and grime was terrible for n=both my hands and for my machine, 2) expect the sewing shop to ask you to leave the vehicle with them. There is no easy way to get a good fit on a custom frame like that without trial and error during design and fitting. (There are those with experience in making boat covers to order who are better at making a pattern on the vehicle and then returning to the shop, but I bet they'll want to hold on to the truck for a while.)
Best of luck!
BDGR
Yep, I can imagine how grit would tear up a machine. A few weeks ago I pressure washed and scrubbed both sides of the paulin, folded it and put it in the shop. It's about as clean as I can make it. But it's also one of the camo'd covers - no idea if it's CARC or latex, or? But when I take the stuff in I'm sure they'll have some idea of the issues once they lay hands on it.
As to design and fitting, if I do go down the DIY side, I see that some threads suggest using muslin for the initial shaping? Is that accurate?
And another question - what kind of thread works for doing these covers, and what do I need to use that thread? Heavy duty needles?
Yet another question - thinking about going with a used sacrificial machine to DIY it, are any models or brands better than others? Or pretty much all the same for the low end stuff?
