We have made two safari type tops, and I just got the material to make a third. I went to sugarhouse awning (7500 S State) and got a black nogahyde (sp) type stuff. They had one kind that came in 6-7 ft wide rolls. It cost me like $50.00, but I got more material than you would need. It is tough stuff. I used my last one for two years (sold it cause I built a new cage) - it will last forever.
Oh, and my dad has an old military surplus sewing machine - you couldn't sew this stuff with a normal one.
Kirk