[Max Well]

Since I had some leather we didn't use for the DIY Wheel cover (we had ordered two different leathers as we couldn't tell online which we'd like better), I decided to make three 12" x 16" pillows with M Performance color striping. They were straightforward to produce, and when I get a chance I'll put together some assembly and design photos as I made them. Because they have an overlay flap (not sewn completely shut), it is easy to customize the firmness by simply adding or removing fill from the pillow insert. And since the insert is a standard size, lots of different fill types are available (including feather and down).

[Slalom]

Originally Posted by Max Well

Since I had some leather we didn't use for the DIY Wheel cover (we had ordered two different leathers as we couldn't tell online which we'd like better), I decided to make three 12" x 16" pillows with M Performance color striping. They were straightforward to produce, and when I get a chance I'll put together some assembly and design photos as I made them. Because they have an overlay flap (not sewn completely shut), it is easy to customize the firmness by simply adding or removing fill from the pillow insert. And since the insert is a standard size, lots of different fill types are available (including feather and down).

A very cool idea.
I had a wool blanket that my dad had won at a bonspiel. It was in a vinyl pouch that had seen better days having been kept in car trunks since the days of his 1965 Mercury. I had new cover made for it.

[ando]

Great work. Nice road trip pillows

[Max Well]

Originally Posted by Slalom

A very cool idea. I had a wool blanket that my dad had won at a bonspiel. It was in a vinyl pouch that had seen better days having been kept in car trunks since the days of his 1965 Mercury. I had new cover made for it.

A great way to remember some good times with your family, Slalom - nicely done!

Originally Posted by ando

Great work. Nice road trip pillows

Thank you, ando - I think they will be. My wife will occ nod off on long trips so I think these will allow a nice option for a neck pillow and/or lumbar support depending on how much outdoor work I've done before the trip!

Here's another view in our 2015 LCI X3 35i just for sizing (the lighting is bad - apologies). I sat in the back with one providing lumbar support, and the other one fit almost exactly on the center arm rest while(st) still leaving room for a drink. I'm showing it vertical to show the fit. Felt like I was in a fancy car.

[Keweenawbee]

Originally Posted by Slalom

A very cool idea.
I had a wool blanket that my dad had won at a bonspiel. It was in a vinyl pouch that had seen better days having been kept in car trunks since the days of his 1965 Mercury. I had new cover made for it.

They look a lot like the various BMW RT, KLT & GS bag liners that have been available over the years. I think I still have a bunch of those from Beemers I’ve had. So that’s a good source for a logo travel bag.

[Max Well]

This project doesn't really require any prior experience with leather, as one can take the cutout pieces to an Automotive Upholsterer who can stitch the M Performance colors and sew them together. That was my initial hope but was told that the thicker waxed thread I used for hand-stitching wouldn't work in their industrial stitching machines and they didn't have the red, blue, light blue thread colors in their shop. They were kind enough to try it with my waxed thread but it was a no-go. They did, however, have thick black nylon thread for the larger piece's inside folded flap and to sew outer edges together.

As I didn't want to wait for them to order the M Perf thread colors, I took the pieces back home, made a make-shift stitching pony to hold the leather, then ran a running saddle stitch for the colors (explained here - https://makezine.com/2017/01/23/handstitch-leather/ ). This was a very easy stitch and faster than the baseball stitch used on the steering wheel. I then took the leather pieces back to the Upholstery craftsmen and they had the three pillows sewn in an hour.

The only thing you'd have to do is check with your local craftsmen to see what colors of thread (ideally UV protected for automotive use) they have in stock, and if it is thick enough contrast stitching to make the M Performance colors stand out. You don't have to clamp the 1" flaps when gluing as the nice supple leather stayed down flat, so really no tools required, other than scissors thick enough to cut the leather (if you don't have a rotary cutter like I use).

And I came across what looks to be an excellent online resource for leather - https://www.leatherhidestore.com/ . I have no financial interest in that firm, and although I have never ordered from them they have a large number of 5 star ratings and a lot of color options.