The Upholstery Forum

Hi guys!
I am now in the car seats!
Any advice how to sewing airbags and if there should be special thread?
Thanks

The quick answer is don't do it for a customer, the legal liability is huge and will never be worth the money you charged. A certified air bag sewing machine starts over $60k and goes up quickly, then you have to be trained and keep records on all the airbags you did. Testing? hugely expensive. Do people do it, yup, but it's a legal risk. To technically answer the question you are creating a "break away seam" so your bobbin thread has to be far weaker than your top thread, if you have "french seams" don't use re-enforcing tape under the break away part of the seam. Can you prove your seam is the same specification as the manufacturer requires from the specific air bag in your seat? No, not without destructive testing and that's not feasible for a small shop.

@Moshe , it would be my advice not to sew airbags.

It's just like sewing Fire Department Bunker Gear. Special thread, special procedure and very high liability. This plus can you document and test your methods?
As others have said, don't do it. Also stay away from any bullet prof anything, clothing, vests etc. No matter how much people say they wouldn't hold you liable they will when something happens.
I sew some repairs on protective sleeves for police dog training. This is a far as I will go into the special sewing areas.

Thank you guys

We actually have a docusew machine at Vista Customizing.
I have used it a number of times and it is a very technical machine.
You dont just turn it on and go .
There is whole programming and testing process to make sur the new seam will deploy correctly.
We can help if you do need this type of service

I don't do Air Bags , either is too much liability.

@moshe, againdo not do airbags.

Do you mean the Actual Air Bag? Or Air Bag break away seem.
If its just the Airbag Break Away Seem it can be sewn but yes you do need a Docusew Machine.
We have a Docusew Machine at my employer shop . Yes very expensive and technical .
Yes we will sew only the seam or make a complete cover.
If you need information on how we can help just message me.

What would you need to sew the airbag seam if I am making a cover? Would I stop an inch or two above and below the airbag part and mail the cover to you? I'm curious if this is a good solution for small shops that cannot justify the right machine.