Method for stitching vehicle interior components and components formed from the method

A method of applying stitching to an interior component, comprising an outer skin layer, a substrate layer and an intermediary layer located between the outer skin layer and the substrate layer, the method comprising:

• a) penetrating the outer skin layer, the substrate layer and the intermediary layer with an awl to form a piercing therethrough;
• b) retracting the awl from the outer skin layer, the substrate layer and the intermediary layer;
• c) inserting a needle of a robotic sewing head through the piercing through the substrate layer, the intermediary layer and the outer skin layer to grasp a thread positioned on the outer skin layer;
• d) pulling the thread through the outer skin layer, the intermediary layer and the substrate layer;
• e) looping the thread with a previous stitch passed through the outer skin layer, the intermediary layer and the substrate layer;
• f) advancing the robotic sewing head to another position with respect to the interior component, wherein a backside of the substrate layer is free of obstructions;
• and
• g) repeating steps a-f until a predetermined amount of stitches are applied to the interior component.