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I have rolls of scrap textilene fabric that are too small to make into window screens so I came up with an idea.

I made Ladder buddys out of the scraps for my son, myself and a friend of mine.

http://s181.photobucket.com/albums/x200/throgmartin/Up%20Shop/?action=view&current=LadderBuddy2.jpg

I made one with double pockets and another with triple pockets. I sewed 2 inch velcro on the flap and it simply wraps around and velcros over a rung on your ladder.

Moving into my new shop I had a ton of scrap fabric of all kinds and I donated that to my wifes high school art class.

I could market those ladder buddies but the profit margin is so small that it probably wouldn't be worth it.
I have no idea what I would even sell them for but probably $ 20 bucks would be tops. I do not think anyone would pay more then that for them.

Chris

I was on the phone to Miami Mike and was discussing with him about Keder and awning cord for RV slide out awnings.

The vast majority of these awnings are folded over a plastic cord and then sewn, very similar to making welting. My problem is I cannot find any of this plastic cord. I cannot think of the name of what it is called either. I have heard that some people call it beading. Myself I haven't a clue and cannot find this stuff listed anywhere on Miami or anyone else's site.

Mike sent me a couple samples to look at and neither of the products were it. One sample he sent was Keder but the diameter of the cord was too large.

Does anyone have any experience with this and know what it is called ?

BTW, I just bought 8 yards of the Recarcil from Mike ( he gave me a great deal on it ) and it looks like some awesome awning fabric. Much cheaper then sunbrella and it has the same life span. But the beauty of this stuff is that it will not shrink or stretch. I also ordered a lb of black Solarfix ( dang is that thread expensive ). I plan on using Recarcil and Solarfix for all my slide out awnings.

Now I just need to locate this cord.

Thanks everyone for your help.

Chris

I finally got moved into my shop and knocked off a few projects. Wow........ It is my first shop with a cutting table and my first shop with enough room to move around without tripping over myself. I wont miss my enclosed trailer anytime soon. :)

But in regards to the table itself. I went with Mike and Junes suggestion and used melamine. I then took my router and cut a half inch " V " groove down the length and also another on the side. I picked up 2 - 7 ft long pieces of 1/2 inch aluminum V channel and embedded those into the grooves. This is now my cutting guide. I was hoping I didn't make a mistake by adding this cutting channel into the table. As it turns out it works awesome and gives you perfect cuts every time. The knife never slips out. I lay a 71 inch long straight edge down on top of the fabric before I cut it and that helps hold the fabric in place.

My only gripe is that I didn't have enough room to extend the table behind me. I did place shelves under one side of the table to store fabric on and on the other side I have a cart on casters which holds numerous rolls of fabric. I wheel the cart out, get what I need and then wheel the cart back under the table.

My back and knees are really loving this new setup. I have spent the last couple years cutting long pieces of fabric on the floor and it about killed my knees and back. This table makes laying things out and cutting so much easier.

Here is a link to the photos. I hope this works.

http://s181.photobucket.com/albums/x200/throgmartin/Up%20Shop/

Chris

The economy is so bad that...
I  got a pre-declined credit card in the mail.
CEO's  are now playing miniature golf.
Exxon-Mobil laid off 25 Congressmen.
I  saw a Mormon with only one wife.
I  bought a toaster oven and my free gift was a bank.
Angelina Jolie adopted a child from America .
Motel Six won't leave the light on anymore.
A picture is now only worth 200 words.
I am now mowing my own lawn. [not yet.. hee-hee]
They renamed Wall Street " Wal-Mart Street ."
When Bill and Hillary travel together, they now have to share a room.
The Treasure Island casino in Las Vegas is now managed by Somali pirates.
                                          And,  finally...
I  was so depressed last night thinking about the economy, wars, jobs, my savings, Social Security, retirement funds, etc., I called the Suicide Hotline. I got a call center in Pakistan , and when I told them I was suicidal, they got all excited, and asked if I could drive a  truck...

I was just in the shop sewing up some tire covers for my boat. Florida will eat up tires in two seasons if they are left in the sun so I wanted to use up some left over material and make the covers myself.

But it got me thinking about last winter when I had a customer come to me and ask if I would make him a set of tire covers for his motorhome. He has been a good customer and like with everyone I deal with I try and remain as ethical as possible. I simply told him I could but the costs would be much higher then if he ordered the cheap Chinese covers online.

Lets face facts here. There is no way most of us could make a set of tire covers for what they sell them for at WalMart or on E-Bay and I told him so. He thanked me and a week later ordered more solar screens for his coach. :) I just have a real problem taking work under those circumstances and I am sure as heck not going to give away my services.

I was wondering, has anyone else walked away from a potential deal and told a customer to buy the Chinese item online ?

Obviously we can make a lot of these products much better with higher quality materials ( and I tell my customers this ), but on small items such as this, customers seem to focus on price.

What are your thoughts and experiences ?

Chris

There were a couple of you ( June in particular ) that were going to switch to using clear Tenara. I was wondering if anyone has made the switch or if anyone has any experience stitching with the clear Tenara.

My specific questions are -

* Is the clear blending well into the darker color fabrics ?

* What size thread are you using for Marine applications ?

* Any feed problems with your machine using the lubricated Tenara ?

I am going to go with Tenara on all of my awnings but do not want to stock colors. I would rather go
with the clear and be able to call it good. But I am a little worried about using clear with dark colors such as maroon, black, etc.

Thanks for your input,

Chris

OK......... I will readily admit to being quirky when it comes to sitting down at the machine and sewing.
Some may even think I am " not right " and have lost to many brain cells.

First off I cannot sew unless I have on my moose skin Minnetonka slippers. I seem to have much better feel of the pedal and besides that they are comfortable to wear around the shop. I just ordered a new pair last month after wearing out my old pair. :)

Secondly, before I can sit down at the machine in the morning I need my coffee. Man cannot sew without coffee. In the afternoon I switch to Diet Coke. No coffee or diet coke and this old fart wont work and will go on strike. I always have a full cup next to me.

Thirdly. My MP3 player needs to be charged and running. I just cannot work without some good background music playing. 70's hits, Motown, classic rock, blues, whatever. I have got to have my music while working.

So, the question is do you have any quirks or "Must Haves" yourself when it comes to sewing ?

Chris

A priest is walking down the street one day when he
notices a very small boy trying to press a doorbell
on a house across the street.

However, the boy is very small and the doorbell is too
high for him to reach.

After watching the boy's efforts for some time, the
priest moves closer to the boy's position.

He steps smartly across the street, walks up behind
the little fellow and, placing his hand kindly on the
child's shoulder leans over and gives the doorbell a
solid ring.

Crouching down to the child's level, the priest smiles
benevolently and asks, "And now what, my little man?"

To which the boy replies, "Now we run!"

My wife and I were talking over dinner the other night about our life and how it has taken so many twists and turns.........some of those changeds we never planned on. :)

The majority of you know that I was diagnosed with a Leukemia type disease and had to retire. This happened in 1999 when I was 41.  I had no choice. My oncologist demanded I retire and the fact of the matter is they never expected me to live much past 45 ( I fooled their sorry butts ). In my previous life I was a marketing and Public Relations analyst and worked for a government owned corporation. I was extremely lucky and blessed that I had a pension along with lifelong benefits such as Blue Cross, Dental etc. Trust me when I say I know how lucky I am and I never take it for granted.

But it got me thinking, have any of you have prepared for retirement ? Do any of you have 401 K's or some other retirement vehicle besides Social Security ?

I was just wondering how self employed tradespeople such as ourselves plan for retirement and if you set aside funds for a retirement plan.

Chris

Two hunters are out in the woods when one of them collapses.
He doesn't seem to be breathing and his eyes are glazed.
The other man pulls out his phone and calls emergency
services.

He gasps to the operator: "My friend is dead! What can
I do?" The operator in a calm, soothing voice replies:
"Take it easy. I can help. First, let's make sure he's
dead."

There is a silence, then a shot is heard.

Back on the phone, the hunter says, "Ok, now what?"

****************

A mechanic was removing a cylinder-head from the motor of a Harley motorcycle when he spotted a w ell-known cardiologist in his shop. The cardiologist was there waiting for the service manager to come and take a look at his bike when the mechanic
shouted across the garage.
"Hey, Doc, want to take a look at this?"

The cardiologist, at bit surprised, walked over to where the mechanic was working on the motorcycle. The mechanic straightened up, wiped his hands on a rag and asked, "So Doc, look at this engine. I open its' heart, take the valves out, repair any damage, and then put them back in, and when I finish, it works just like new. So how come I make $39,675 a year and you get the really big bucks ($1,695,759) when you and I are doing basically the same work?"

The cardiologist paused, smiled and leaned over, then whispered to the mechanic...

"Try doing it with the engine running."

I guess what I meant to say is why do you concentrate on one area of upholstery work ?

I know we have a few on here who do nothing but furniture while others do nothing but marine work. Some concentrate on auto's only.

Is this by design ? Is this because of your interests in these areas of expertise ? Do we have anyone who does it all ? The only person I can think of that does everything is Russ. Do we have someone else here that has the expertise to take any job ?

I sometimes feel lazy and inadequate as an upholsterer because I refuse to do Marine and Auto work. My concentration is on the custom cover, RV, furniture market. I really have no desire to expand from there. So I am wondering is this the way most others operate as well ? You find your niche and stay there ?

I sometimes am embarrassed to call myself an upholsterer because I do not know the other aspects of this trade and I limit my scope of work. Sometimes that plays into my lack of confidence as well with certain project work. But then I look at my situation and remind myself that when I got into this business I was going to 1.) do this work part time 2.) manage my schedule according to my chemo treatment regimen 3.) stay focused on the areas I enjoy and that do not tax my health 3.) enjoy my retirement.

I would really enjoy hearing from the rest of you and learning more about what and why you are focused on your specific market.

Chris

I just sent one of my customers to another stitcher for him to give a quote and perform the work on four  slide topper awnings for a motorcoach.

With my sewing shop not done I was unable to do it myself. I wanted to be sure this guy was taken care of because he is a member of an RV owners forum I belong to and I want to be able to get future business from these people as there are several thousands members who belong to this owners group. They in turn belong to other forums with thousands of members. :)

I would have loved to do the work myself but with everything scattered and no place to work I couldn't. So I needed to contact someone that I knew did awesome work, was a true professional and would give the guy a decent quote.

So what is a guy to do ? I contacted my buddy Mike and asked if he wanted to give a quote. I trust Mike and I know his work is some of the best. I gave him all the specs and the type of material to use. Hopefully, Mike will get the job. What is cool is that it is a mail order job so Mike can sew the toppers and send them off. :)

Incidentally, Mike has done the slide toppers before so he understood the work. If I got any requests for Bimini's or other marine work I would surely send that work to Mike or June. I know both are excellent stitchers and any customer I would send to them would be well taken care of.

It got me wondering, has anyone else gotten so busy or maybe got a job that was out of their area of expertise and passed it off to someone else ? Have you ever made referrals to another upholsterer who was out of your area ?

Chris

I am getting close to having the upholstery shop finished. It has been a long haul but we are starting to get real excited as the work is almost done.

I have been slow on the new shop because of the chemo treatments so progress has crawled along. But since my darling wife got back from Australia she has jumped in with both feet and really helped a great deal in getting it finished off. I couldn't have got this far without her.

Unfortunately her high school is starting back up for the year so she has to return to the classroom Wednesday. Still she got me to the point where I should be done in a week or so.

I have to finish installing the cabinetry for her portion of the shop and then I can start making my cutting table and installing shelves.

I will be posting photos of the finished product on here for ya'll to see.

I am geeked. Finally, after sewing in a dang enclosed trailer for the last couple years I will have a nice climate controlled place to sew. Yee Haa ;D.

Chris

Being the clever folk that us stitchers are, I thought I would post a link to some
other folk who are also clever.

Who knows, maybe we could learn something new or see something we have yet to try. :)

Enjoy, here is the link - http://whitetrashrepairs.com

Chris

In consideration of your recent thread on computers, I got this from a friend and thought of you. :)

Enjoy,

Chris



If Bud Abbott and Lou Costello were alive today, their infamous sketch, 'Who's
on First?'might have turned out something like this:

COSTELLO CALLS TO BUY A COMPUTER FROM ABBOTT

ABBOTT: Super Duper computer store. Can I help you?

COSTELLO: Thanks I'm setting up an office in my den and I'm thinking about
buying a computer.

ABBOTT: Mac?

COSTELLO: No, the name's Lou.

ABBOTT: Your computer?

COSTELLO: I don't own a computer. I want to buy one.

ABBOTT: Mac?

COSTELLO: I told you, my name's Lou.

ABBOTT: What about Windows?

COSTELLO: Why? Will it get stuffy in here?

ABBOTT: Do you want a computer with Windows?

COSTELLO: I don't know. What will I see when I look at the windows?

ABBOTT: Wallpaper.

COSTELLO: Never mind the windows. I need a computer and software.

ABBOTT: Software for Windows?

COSTELLO: No. On the computer! I need something I can use to write proposals, track expenses and run my business. What do you have?

ABBOTT: Office.

COSTELLO: Yeah, for my office. Can you recommend anything?

ABBOTT: I just did.

COSTELLO: You just did what?

ABBOTT: Recommend something.

COSTELLO: You recommended something?

ABBOTT: Yes.

COSTELLO: For my office?

ABBOTT: Yes.

COSTELLO: OK, what did you recommend for my office?

ABBOTT: Office.

COSTELLO: Yes, for my office!

ABBOTT: I recommend Office with Windows.

COSTELLO: I already have an office with windows! OK, let's just say I'm
sitting at my computer and I want to type a proposal. What do I need?

ABBOTT: Word.

COSTELLO: What word?

ABBOTT: Word in Office.

COSTELLO: The only word in office is office.

ABBOTT: The Word in Office for Windows.

COSTELLO: Which word in office for windows?

ABBOTT: The Word you get when you click the blue 'W'.

COSTELLO: I'm going to click your blue 'W' if you don't start with some straight
answers.  What about financial bookkeeping? You have anything I can track my money with?

ABBOTT: Money.

COSTELLO: That's right. What do you have?

ABBOTT: Money.

COSTELLO: I need money to track my money?

ABBOTT: It comes bundled with your computer.

COSTELLO: What's bundled with my computer?

ABBOTT: Money.

COSTELLO: Money comes with my computer?

ABBOTT: Yes. No extra charge.

COSTELLO: I get a bundle of money with my computer? How much?

ABBOTT: One copy.

COSTELLO: Isn't it illegal to copy money?

ABBOTT: Microsoft gave us a license to copy Money.

COSTELLO: They can give you a license to copy money?

ABBOTT: Why not? THEY OWN IT!

(A few days later)

ABBOTT: Super Duper computer store. Can I help you?

COSTELLO: How do I turn my computer off?

ABBOTT: Click on 'START'...
________________________________

I had a quick project to sew and discovered that I needed to wind some bobbins so I proceeded to wind up a few. I removed the bobbin case but forgot to raise the needle. Yup........It stuffed a wad of thread inside the hook and caused the safety clutch to engage. For the life of me I couldn't get the dang clutch to reset. So I picked up the phone and called Bob Kovar from Toledo Sewing Machines which is where I bought the Chandler from.

Thank God Bob is a patient man. Actually, if anyone here has ever dealt with Bob they know how easy going, laid back and patient he is. His calm demeanor helped with my level of frustration because when I called I was PO'ed at myself. I cannot thank him enough for helping me get back up and running. I also cannot thank him enough for being patient with me on the phone.

This is where a good dealer who stands behind his machines and offers great customer service beats the hell out of these E-Bay machine dealers. I bought my first machine on E-Bay and got no customer service. While I probably could have saved $ 50 bucks or so it was well worth the extra money to buy from a reputable dealer who will always be there to assist you. Especially when you screw up your machine. :)

It was pretty funny actually because I put Bob on speaker phone as he talked me through the process of getting the machine fixed. Meanwhile my wife was helping me and making comments along the way. I did hear one or two chuckles coming from Bob during our exchange.

Just wanted to publicly thank Bob for spending so much time on the phone with me and helping me through one of my screwups. Also Bob, thank you so much for having the patience of a Saint.

If anyone is looking for a new machine, I cannot stress enough that the paltry sum of money your going to save buying a machine on E-Bay is not worth it. Having a dealer at your disposal when you need assistance is worth that savings.

Any bets I will never forget to get my machine setup correctly before winding bobbins again ?....LOL...

Chris

I just got off the phone with Bob Kovar of Toledo Industrial Machine and he made me aware of an Upholstery Fair that will take place this weekend in Indiana. He thought that a few members maybe interested in attending so I am posting it here.

Here is a link to the list of classes they will be having:

http://www.upholsteryfair.com/2010/classes.php

Sorry about the short notice. I wished I lived closer as I would attend this Fair for sure.

Chris

I was just reading this article and thought I would pass it on since we have a few stitchers here that work primarily with furniture.

Here is the link to the article -

http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/environment/2010-07-18-formaldehyde-free-furniture_N.htm?csp=34money&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+UsatodaycomMoney-TopStories+%28Money+-+Top+Stories%29&utm_content=My+Yahoo

I hope the Fed's do not adopt too many of California's laws. :(

Chris

I was just wondering, after a discussion on another thread, do any of you ever buy upholstery items on E-Bay ?

I think most of you know about my disaster when I bought a Tuffsew machine on E-Bay. That was my biggest mistake of the decade. I learned my lesson on that one so when I went to buy a new machine this year I bought it from one of our vendors here on this forum ( Bob at Toledo Machine ).

But I have and still will buy simple things off e-bay such as needles, bobbins, folders, binders, zipper feet, welt feet, etc. For the most part I have had good luck and have gotten some incredible deals on some very high quality parts. But I have also gotten a few parts that were extremely cheap and were useless.

I bought 10 yards of vinyl off E-Bay a couple years ago and was surprised to learn it was Miami Corp that sold it to me. :) For the most part I never buy fabric on E-Bay but have bought foam and leather. The one thing I really like about using E-Bay is being able to use Paypal.

I was just wondering if anyone else has used E-Bay to buy upholstery items.

Chris

I get an ad once every two weeks on sale items that a parts supplier sends me. He normally runs sales on folders, binders, feet and other machine attachments, needles, etc.

I never pay attention to anything on there unless it pertains to my machine. But this one item caught my eye. The sale was on threading wires for a Singer 29-4.

I do not own one of these machines and have never seen one but am curious as all get out to know what the heck a threading  wire is and how they work ?

The only machines I have ever seen or used had a pretty straight forward way of threading. What would this wire accomplish ?

Chris