Topics

I have been running an add on Craig's list the past 3 weeks and have only received 1 call.  Looked into placing an ad in our local paper, it appears they sub it out to another company that is not even local.
It appears the work force for upholsters is shrinking.

Went and looked at a new yacht for a broker.  One of the things the customer who is buying the boat wants is Sunbrella window cover. To be in two pieces.  In the pictures below you can see the two steps going up to the bridge.  There is a space between the back of the step and the window.  What I am having trouble figuring out is the best way to mount the sunbrella to the boat.  The cover will end at each far corner.  It will not cover the two side windows.
So far I have figured out is behind the steps is to use 2" velcro to hold the two halves together.   The real problem I can not figure out is how to hold the top of the cover in place.  The space between the top of the window and the underside of the bride floor is real tight.  

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

About 3-4 times a month I will get calls from customers saying that the the leather on their new furniture is pealing.  I  usually need to let then know that it is not real leather, but a recycled leather or the material.

But know this problem has hit close to home.

http://s4.photobucket.com/user/scott_sandiego/Recliner/story

On 2/1/2013 we reupholstered 2 recliners in a recycled leather purchased at one of our suppliers.  Went out and looked at the chairs and sure enough at the head rest the material was starting to peal.  Never thought this would happen with any of the suppliers I purchase from.  Got on the phone with them and explained the problem.   They said they would send out more recycled leather so we could get the problem fixed.  But they said they would not cover my labor charges, to make the changes.  Get the material in and check the texture and color to what was put on the chairs, does not even come close.  Now I am on the hook on redoing both chairs.

I had this happen one other time about 15 years ago with a fabric, it started to ball up.  That company handled it the proper way.  They took care of supplying me with new fabric and also took care of the labor charges.

I was wondering if on New Years, Christmas, 4th of July and a couple of others if you pay your employees for time off for these holidays.  I always have, but am starting to re-think this.
Here in California they have come out with a new law that is starting in July that employers are require to give their employees 3 sick days.

Finding a good sewing machine mechanic is hard to do now.  There are not that many out there.  Sometimes I will have guys call call me and save there phone number on my phone.

On Thursday one of my machines had the presser lift arm assembly break while we were are sewing 100 equipment bags.  So I go to call a mechanic and 2 of the numbers in my phone have been disconnected.  Another guy I have used before is good but not great.  I called this other mechanic, he was able to come out within and hour.  He tells me what parts I need.  I order them while he is at my shop.  Should have the parts by Thursday.
Have him look at my Consew 206RB1.  My guy was trying to use it to continue with sewing these bags.  But it was out  of adjustment.  Have the mechanic look at it, he makes some adjustments on it.  Seems to be better.  He leaves, and about 10 minutes later my employee comes to me and says the machine is now sewing good again.

I currently buy my thread through Keyston Bros.
Use Sunguard Polyester #92  Bobbin size M.
Was wondering where other people buy their thread.  To compare pricing.

My wife has a 2012 Kia Sorento with cloth seats.  From day one when she bought the car she said she wanted leather seats in the car.  Well 2 years later I broke down and put leather seats in the car for her birthday.
I didn't have the time to sew the covers up myself.  So I contacted Alea Leather (alealeather.com) and opened an account with them.
I want to say that I am very pleased with the way the seats came out and look.

I have some other  customers that are wanting to get there seats done in leather.  I will be contacting them again to order the cover.

Scott

On the new cars now, they are putting air bags on the sides of the backs.  How do you handle sewing this with a new cover?
The reason I ask this is my wife has a 2012 Kia Sorrento with cloth seats and now she wants leather seats.

Thanks Scott

Ok just moved into my new shop.  Just ran my electrical outlets to where I need them and getting ready to run my air supply lines to where I need them.  The question for the air supply lines should I use 3/4" galvanized pipe or 3/4" PVC pipe?
Curious what others have used.

Thanks,  Scott

Hello all,

My wife has been wanting to put leather seats in her 2012 Kia Sorento.  I do not have the time to do that for her.  Between getting ready to move my shop to a bigger location and being busy, there is no time for me to do it for her.  Does anyone know of a company that makes leather seats already sewn up and all I would have to do is put the covers on.  That I could find the time to do.

Thanks Scott

I am going to move my shop to larger location.  Its a big move.  About 30 yards from where I am now.  What I am looking forward to is having a dedicated space just for a show room.
Currently all my sample books and some pieces of sample furniture are part of my sewing room.

So I am trying to figure out a better way to display my books to make it easier for my customers to go through.
Any thoughts or suggestions of what you have done would be great.

This is what I currently am using.

Customer contacted me on Dec. 2 about building 2 booths for a restaurant he was planning on opening Dec. 19th.  I told him I was leaving town on Dec. 5th and would be gone one week and that his time frame frame was not realistic to have them done by.  Said I have 12 chairs I could lend him while the booths are being built, so he could open on the 19th.  Told him delivery would be around the first week of January.  He agreed to this.
He opened on Dec. 26 and I delivered the booths on Dec. 27.


Building frame for 22' booth


Installed 22' booth in restaurant


Installed 15' booth in restaurant

Customer was very happy with the booths and also getting them early.

Hello everyone,

I currently have a Mitsubishi  DY-359 sewing machine.  This machine sews like a dream.  
It has a servo motor with needle positionner, back tack, and under cutter .
I am looking for another machine like this.  If you have one or know someone with one, who would like to sell it, I will buy it.  Or another machine with the same characteristics as this one. (Like Juki LU-1510N-7)

Thanks Scott 619-229-8022

Does anyone have a good source/company for Workman's comp insurance.  My current policy is coming up for renewal, want to see if someone might have a better rate.  I am located in California.

Thanks Scott

Just received and order yesterday to build some restaurant booths. The supplier I used to buy the pre-cut no-sag spring is out of business(Lewis Industries).  Was wondering if anyone knows of another wholesale supplier?
Thanks Scott

Hello,

I am reupholstering some seats and backs on a fishing boat.  The back  cushions have a wood back and are attached using a two part metal clip to hold them in place.  
I have not been able to find these clips. The part that attaches to the wall is more square and fits inside this clip.
Here are a couple of pitures of what I am looking for.  If you know what they are called or where they can be bought, I would appreciate the information.





Thank you,...Scott

Last week had a customer drop of his convertable top off of his Jeep.  The frame and top.  The old zipper on the back window isn't working around one of the corners, looked like the teeth getting chewed up.
I was able to get a jeep replacement zipper for the back window.  Had my employee replace the zipper.
Called the customer to let him know the top was done.  He came by and picks it up.
Calls me 3 hours later and says the back window will not zipper shut all the way.  Told him to bring the jeep with the top on it, so I can look at it.
The zipper starts on the left side and zips closed on the right side.  It appears that right side is coming up short and the left top corner of the window itself there is some bunching of the glass.  The glass is not smooth.  It is more wavey.
Any suggestions of what the problem might be and how to fix it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Scott

I recieved a call last week to give an estimate for some church pew.






The pews are 21' long.  27 pews in total.  They want to reupholster the seats and backs. 
Has anyone done any of these.  I am trying to figure out how long it might take to do each pew.

I have estimated it would take one person about 9 hours from start to finish.

Any in put would be appreciated.

Thanks Scott

Just bought a used Mitsubishi DY-359 walking foot sewing machine.  Owner did not have the manuals.  I am looking for the owners manual and the parts manual.
I have tried googling it but was not able to find anything.
Any help would be appreciated.

Thank Scott