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I sold my travel trailer earlier this year. I had it listed on E- bay for 14 days and didnt sell. I listed on Craigslist on tuesday and sold it by Saturday.

I agree with Sofadoc I believe it is out of a lack of understanding of prices and the labor involved.

My great grandfather was an upholsterer and my grandmothers brother took his shop over when I was very young, since we lived close by the shop I spent alot of time working in the shop until I was 14 or 15. So I had some exposure to the business.

It wasnt until about 9 months ago that I began trying my hand at the trade. I was shocked at the prices of fabric, foam and notions.

On top of that the time involved in some of the projects I have tried have further discouraged me, thinking I can never charge enough to pay myself a decent wage.

Being a newbie I can understand the "jaw dropped" effect as I am still picking my own jaw off the floor from time to time.

     When I was first married the first place we lived was an apartment above a paint and hardware store. There was a hallway all the way around the perimeter of the building, therefore there was no exterior windows. We had to share a bath with the neighbor next door. The kitchen was so small we had to set our big old refrigerator in the living room. I paid a whopping $35 a month for all of this. Needless to say, 35 years later I have a deep seated appreciation for the $100,000 place I own now. Makes it a pleasure to do the little things, and even the big things to keep it up. I hope that means there has been some character added.

    I suspect there are many different manufacturers of presser feet. Rather than a different "brand" maybe you would want to consider a knowledgeable and helpful dealer such as Gregg from Keystone. They have a web site listed under the suppliers tab above. Also several regulars here deal with Bob Kovar from Toledo machine. If mojo sees this he might post with his #.

     I repair turn out gear for the local fire department. They furnish nomex thread for the repairs. The gear is also made of Nomex. There are other brands of fire resistant material also. Research arc flash protection.
http://www.cansewspecialops.com/default.aspx

     Gregg thanks alot for that link. It is a much better reference than what I have.

That slide plate cover has a thumbnail slit in it. If the slit is on the left, it is reversed.

I had a look at that cover. I see what you mean it could be turned end for end. Its ok though thanks stitchm and sofadoc.

I tapped the hook a time or two, no more rubbing. Thanks Darren. You guys are great.

 

I had the same issue years ago with a 225. When I moved the assembly over it wanted to lift up a hair. I had to give it a gentle tap down once the appropriate screws were slacked off.

I wonder where exactly I should tap. I'm a little skittish about tapping on the hook from the top.

Sounds like hook height possibly? or the top sliding cover plate installed in reverse?


If you mean the sliding plate to the right of the needle plate I think it would only go in upside down, but I will look.

     My Consew 255B went out of time yesterday. This is the second time this has happened lately. I timed the hook then noticed that the hook was hitting the needle so I moved the hook assembly over. After this when I handwheel the machine the hook or bobbin case is scraping against the needle plate. doesnt do it when I loosen the screws on the needle plate. What have I done wrong?

DLT also is a supplier of Recacril.

Thank you Mojo for posting these videos. for noobs like me this is good stuff.

     
     I have been told I am OCD so take this for what it is worth. Keep in mind that I am just learning upholstery but I am an electrician at my day job. I plan every job I do, my first boss taught me "plan my work and work my plan" so I think of every step then gather all my pieces and parts before I start. Now nothing ever goes according to plan so that becomes part of the plan. By thinking this way it is easy for me to break each project down to step 1 thru step ... If I run into something that during the planning stage I think how am I going to do that, and the answer is I dont know, the job becomes time and materials. Because nothing goes according to plan I add a percentage, usually 15% but for upholsery maybe 40% is better as Paul suggests. Just my 2 cents.
                                                    gail

Didnt mean to highjack but thanks for the explanation Rich and Chris.

     Pardon me for asking but,  what does the term to "get stuck in" mean?

     I am real new at this. I have done one project so far that I was happy with the first time. It was a simple cushion for a porch swing. This post really hit me because I just came in from the shop after trying to make a new cover for a sissy bar, for a friend of mine. I am not happy with the results (wrinkles in the seams at the corners) When I shut the shop up and came to the house I decided to send the cushion to my buddy and tell him there was no charge because I dont like it. After reading what min uph had to say I decided to buy more vinyl and do the darn thing over. Its very discouraging but I have to learn to do it right. Now I know jo jo that you are not new but I am sure it is no less heart breaking to have to redo the seat. I am feeling the same right now.