a method of covering a contoured automotive component such as a shift knob with leather such that the leather is pieced and has the appearance of being stitched together along at least one seam . the cut pieces are thinned , adhesively hemmed , thinned again and provided with false stitching . thereafter , the hemmed , thinned and stitched pieces are coated with adhesive and applied to the surface of the shift knob in complemental , edge - matching fashion .