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General Upholstery Questions and Comments => General Discussion => Topic started by: Virgs Sew n Sew on November 20, 2016, 11:34:39 am

Title: Bimini Help
Post by: Virgs Sew n Sew on November 20, 2016, 11:34:39 am
Directed towards Mike or anyone else doing marine work.

I have a double bimini to work on.  Customer would prefer to only replace the side torn.  I think that's a mistake as matching vinyl, just even due to aging, will be a challenge.  Plus I figure that if one side rotted and tore, the other side is likely to in the near future.

However, I'll do as the customer wishes.  Right now I'm having issues matching color, not to mention selecting the correct vinyl type.  So, do you generally use Sunbrella?  If so, do I just go to the Sunbrella that says is for bimini or is there a particular Sunbrella fabric I should use.  If not Sunbrella, what is the name and do you have a vendor you would recommend?

Thanks!!

Virginia
Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: MinUph on November 20, 2016, 11:52:59 am
Sunbrella is not vinyl. And the top grade is called awning weight.
Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: Virgs Sew n Sew on November 20, 2016, 12:00:26 pm
So even though they have a grade they call marine, do you recommend against it? (Sunbrella)?  The other boat cover I worked on was when the manufacturer provided the material so this is a new adventure for me.

Thanks!!!

Virginia
Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: MinUph on November 20, 2016, 01:11:45 pm
I see Glenraven has renamed the awning grade sunbrella to Marine. No difference as I know. My vendors still call it Awning grade. There is awning grade and cushion grade. They are both the same products but the cushion grade is thinner. I like the fabric myself while some canvas people do not. I will turn this over to Mike.
Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: Virgs Sew n Sew on November 20, 2016, 05:01:58 pm
Thanks Paul, that makes sense as I've seen a couple of samples that are different thicknesses but was unsure why and thus how to go about ordering the correct thickness.  I appreciate your input!

Virginia
Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: MinUph on November 20, 2016, 05:28:32 pm

No problem Virginia,
  I would confuse me seeing marine as a type of Sunbrella as both thicknesses are considered marine usage. It seems Glen Raven has changed completely their terminology and their website. So that all said be sure to order it as either awning or topping grade. Not cushion grade for a Bimini.
Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: Darren Henry on November 21, 2016, 04:39:56 am
Quotef not Sunbrella, what is the name and do you have a vendor you would recommend?


A lot of the factory tops on pontoons sold up here are made of "Top gun" material. You might want to find a sample of it to compare before you order Sunbrella. It may be a closer match.
Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: Mojo on November 22, 2016, 02:59:21 pm
I would steer clear of Sunbrella. The new Sunbrella is nothing like the old and its quality pales in comparison to Sattler or Tempotest. The other great thing is both marine fabrics do not stretch.

I work constantly with the manufacturers of acrylic fabric and know who is producing good stuff and who is not.

Contact Chris Leal at Miami, give him my name - Chris - and tell him what you need and he will ship it to you. 407-408-5534. If you do not have an account or the time to set one up with them I will give my permission to piggy back off our account. You can order under Stone Vos and pay them with a credit card but run it through our account, bypassing having to set one up. If you need vinyl then ask him about Top Gun. I am not sure what Mike is using for vinyl these days. If you want a real rugged vinyl ask him about Tuff Stuff. 18 oz's and is rugged as heck.

While Tempotest is a much better fabric then Sunbrella it actually costs less. Tempotest BTW is made in Italy. Sunbrella is made in the USA but is no longer a vertical product anymore. I believe their fiber mixing is being done in China. Sattler, Docril, Recacril and Tempotest are all vertical companies. Sattler is made in Germany, Recacril & Docril in Barcelona, Spain and Tempotest in Italy.
European acrylic fabric is far superior to Sunbrella which is why we only use imported acrylic.
 
Chris T
Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: Virgs Sew n Sew on November 22, 2016, 05:30:17 pm
Thanks Chris!

I'll give him a call tomorrow and get things rolling!

I will definitely take your advice about steering clear of Sunbrella.  Want to wow this guy so that he will want me to recover his seats.  I did a project for his work vehicle last year.  Cannot remember the name of it but it was basically an open vehicle other than a windshield.  He put plexi-glass for the back window and I had left-over fabric from a vintage car project and made side doors.  He said he's nice and toasty warm now when he rides the ground in zero and below weather.  Nice to have him as a repeat and would like to keep him that way.

I'll let you know how we come out.

Virginia
Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: Grebo on November 23, 2016, 07:49:49 am
I am mainly using 'awning' canvas now, local suppliers sell Reacril doesn't stretch like sunbrella & a lot of the colours are the same.
Sunbrella do 'marine' coated & uncoated canvas the coated feeling thicker & stiffer with one side looking sightly darker than the other, cushion fabric is much thinner & softer they do others but that's the main ones I have used.

Suzi

Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: Virgs Sew n Sew on November 23, 2016, 03:56:07 pm
Hi Chris.

Caught up with Chris from Miami this morning.  He's a very nice guy.  He's limited to what he can do for me since I'm out of his district but he gave me the name and number of one of their customer service guys.  I have a message into Keith and expect I'll hear from him either Friday or Monday.

Thanks again for all of your help!!!

Virginia
Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: byhammerandhand on November 24, 2016, 11:07:55 am
Quote from: Virgs Sew n Sew on November 23, 2016, 03:56:07 pm
I have a message into Keith and expect I'll hear from him either Friday or Monday.



to which I respond:

"You talking to me?"

"I got nuttin."

"I know nutthing." (about biminis)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmzsWxPLIOo


Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: Mojo on November 24, 2016, 11:45:18 am
Quote from: Virgs Sew n Sew on November 23, 2016, 03:56:07 pm
Hi Chris.

Caught up with Chris from Miami this morning.  He's a very nice guy.  He's limited to what he can do for me since I'm out of his district but he gave me the name and number of one of their customer service guys.  I have a message into Keith and expect I'll hear from him either Friday or Monday.

Thanks again for all of your help!!!

Virginia


Let me know if there is anything I can do for you.

Chris
Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: Mike on December 02, 2016, 06:47:50 pm
tempotest is a lot better much heavier ill see how it compares to recacril I liked that a lot but I havnt had any issues wth sunbrella marine I like the stresch when fitting a canvas drum tight . I just did a job this week boat covers and a new bimini in red I savw just over $200 bucks on red tempotrest over sunbrella
Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: Virgs Sew n Sew on December 03, 2016, 05:22:40 am
Quote from: Mike on December 02, 2016, 06:47:50 pm
tempotest is a lot better much heavier ill see how it compares to recacril I liked that a lot but I havnt had any issues wth sunbrella marine I like the stresch when fitting a canvas drum tight . I just did a job this week boat covers and a new bimini in red I savw just over $200 bucks on red tempotrest over sunbrella


Good to hear from you Mike!  Do you have a POC or number for tempotrest?

Thanks!

Virginia
Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: Mojo on December 04, 2016, 08:16:52 am
Virg: We both buy tempotest from Miami. They have an exclusive for the USA. It is a great fabric.

Chris
Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: Virgs Sew n Sew on December 05, 2016, 05:07:48 am
Quote from: Mojo on December 04, 2016, 08:16:52 am
Virg: We both buy tempotest from Miami. They have an exclusive for the USA. It is a great fabric.

Chris
[/quote

Wonderful <sarcasm>

I called Miami Chris and he referred me to a customer service guy as Chris can only handle customers in Florida and I'm in Nebraska.  Called number Chris gave me the day before Thanksgiving and got the guy's voice mail, which didn't concern me as lots of people take off day before and day after turkey day. 

Still hadn't heard Wed after Thanksgiving so called and left another message with his voice mail.  Called again Friday when I STILL had not heard from the guy.  Specifically asked if Keith was working and was told that he was on another call and did I want his voice mail.  I explained that I had left 2 voice mails already without hearing from the guy and could this person please hand him the message and ask him to please contact me.  This was relatively early Friday morning and never heard from the guy.

Kind of unsure how next to proceed.  Any ideas?

Thanks!

Virginia
Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: Mojo on December 06, 2016, 04:25:17 am
Virg:

You can be sure you will get action now. I will contact the CEO of Miami directly. I am close friends with him and I am pretty sure he wont be happy about this.

PM me your phone number please.

Chris
Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: Virgs Sew n Sew on December 06, 2016, 05:09:03 am
Done and done.

Thanks again!

Virginia
Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: Virgs Sew n Sew on December 06, 2016, 10:37:37 am
Soooo, around 11:30 more or less, the phone rang.  When I answered it, a gentleman identified himself as Keith from Miami Corporation.  He said that Chris had asked him to call me as a favor to Chris (mojo).  He further went on to say and may I quote: "I have absolutely no idea what this is about."   WTF??????  I was very incredulous when he said that.  I said to him "I have left 2 voice mails and asked another cust serv rep to personally hand you a message."  He had no reply to that so I asked him to send me a swatch card, or whatever they use, for the tempotest fabric.

Hopefully, that means the samples are on their way.

Thanks for all your help Chris!  I may actually get the samples this time.

Virginia
Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: Mojo on December 06, 2016, 02:19:34 pm
Virg:

Tim, their CEO is out of the office till Thursday. I am betting my phone will ring Friday morning. He is going to be as livid as I am.

I did get an e-mail from Chris saying he handled it.

I am sure Tim will be calling me as soon as he is back at the office. We work close with each other and I know he wont tolerate things falling through the cracks. Please keep me posted.

Chris

Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: Virgs Sew n Sew on December 07, 2016, 04:13:35 pm
Chris, I'll definitely keep you posted.

Thanks so much for all your help.

Virginia
Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: Virgs Sew n Sew on December 10, 2016, 04:21:27 pm
Hey Chris!

I just wanted to let you know that I got the tempotest swatch card in the mail today.  Not bad timing considering how much mail is being sent at this time of year.

I do have a question for you.  I notice that they have coated and uncoated.  When do you want to use coated?

Thanks again for your assistance!

Virginia
Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: Mike on December 10, 2016, 08:42:05 pm
the coating should give it better waterproofing, me I don't bother with the plusses or costing's on subrella and such I ca cant see it helping breathability which id important here in floridas humidities
Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: Darren Henry on December 11, 2016, 08:44:56 am
I could never justify the extra expense of the coated material and it really cuts down that breathabilty. I even notice the difference up here and we are much drier than Florida.
Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: Virgs Sew n Sew on December 12, 2016, 08:40:46 am
Chris:

Just thought I would let you know that I received a phone call from the VP of Miami Corp.  I had to run out and get a zipper, shoulder pads and other misc stuff from Jo-Ann's this morning.  Hubby said, rather disgruntled, that the phone had been ringing off the hook ever since I walked out the door.  He was right, 5 calls in like 45 minutes.  One of them was Miami Corp.  I called back and left VM since I got swatches but no price list, so asked for either a price list to be mailed, emailed or a phone call with prices.

Thanks again for your assistance!

Virginia
Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: Mojo on December 21, 2016, 03:05:14 am
I went straight to the top - the CEO. It hit the fan after that so I can understand someone like the VP calling. I was not a happy camper.

In regards to the coated product, I use non coated. Tempotest is a great fabric and much higher quality then Sunbrella. I think you will be happy using it. I have no idea what their prices are for cut yardage as we are volume buyers. The discounts on buying large full rolls can be significant but I can tell you that your price should be cheaper then Sunbrella.

Let me know if you need anything else.

Chris
Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: babock on December 21, 2016, 11:55:47 am
Sorry to hijack but how close are the TEMPOTEST colors to Sunbrella? For example, if you laid pieces of Navy or Beige Sunbrella/TEMPOTEST next to each other, how close do they match.

I just am thinking if 2 articles were a couple feet away from each other, would you notice.
Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: Mike on December 21, 2016, 03:25:50 pm
ive noticed capt navy sunbrella dosent match closly the volor tr,posest has I forget its name. I miss recacril whos colors were spot on
Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: Virgs Sew n Sew on December 27, 2016, 05:20:58 am
Quote from: Mojo on December 21, 2016, 03:05:14 am
I went straight to the top - the CEO. It hit the fan after that so I can understand someone like the VP calling. I was not a happy camper.

In regards to the coated product, I use non coated. Tempotest is a great fabric and much higher quality then Sunbrella. I think you will be happy using it. I have no idea what their prices are for cut yardage as we are volume buyers. The discounts on buying large full rolls can be significant but I can tell you that your price should be cheaper then Sunbrella.

Let me know if you need anything else.

Chris


I think I'm good now.  I also got a call that same afternoon from cust srvc rep (I think).  He emailed me paperwork to open an account and also gave me per yard price (under $14).  I figured you were volume quantity.

Customer is going to come over one day next week.  I need to email him today and get that scheduled.  We'll compare fabrics and see if he wants to stay with that color or switch.  He's now decided to replace both pieces which I think is wise as I can see the other side tearing out this boating season.  Replace both sides and be done with it is my attitude.

Thanks again!

Virginia
Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: Virgs Sew n Sew on December 27, 2016, 05:22:19 am
Quote from: babock on December 21, 2016, 11:55:47 am
Sorry to hijack but how close are the TEMPOTEST colors to Sunbrella? For example, if you laid pieces of Navy or Beige Sunbrella/TEMPOTEST next to each other, how close do they match.

I just am thinking if 2 articles were a couple feet away from each other, would you notice.


I don't consider this a hijack.

I have some samples of sunbrella so will try to do some matching later on this week and will let you know.

Virginia
Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: Darren Henry on December 27, 2016, 08:22:18 am
I had a little suggestion to share on this that I forgot to include in our chat the other day. I thought I'd post it here for everyone.

You mentioned that you had the bows, but not the boat. I used to put 2- 2X4's on the floor and mount a couple of deck hinges & pad eyes so that they became the gunnels of the boat. Then I set up the bows the same way I would on the real boat. No ladders and you don't have to work around swim noodles and cruiser tanks and all the other junk people leave in their boats LOL
Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: Virgs Sew n Sew on January 01, 2017, 11:16:45 am
Excellent suggestion, Darren, and I was planning on setting the bows up in some fashion to make sure that my work is spot-on.

As far as tempotest and sunbrella matching, some colors are absolutely true.  Both have a toast (darker beige IMO) and I cannot discern any difference.  Powder blue and sky blue are very close, pacific blue and mediterranean blue match up pretty nicely and beige and tresco's (more than one choice) work well together.  Hope that helps.

Virginia
Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: Virgs Sew n Sew on January 14, 2017, 05:55:03 am
Thanks to everyone for all of your assistance.

Customer came over Tuesday and we agreed on a Tempotest fabric and that I would also be doing both of the bimini's (they zipper together).  Brought the second bimini piece to me Wed so that I could get accurate measurements and determine how many zippers I need.

Emailed him my bid Thursday and so far have not heard back from him.  I do not feel the bid was outrageous, considering 2 individual bimini's with a total of 12 zippers to be sewn in.

If I hear back with a go ahead, I'll let you know.

Thanks!

Virginia
Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: Mojo on January 15, 2017, 06:39:39 pm
You wont go wrong with the Tempotest. If you ever need technical assistance let me know and I can get you in touch with the right person.

We started using Tempotest on some colors that we cannot get from Sattler. We dropped Recacril because of quality issues. We will never use Sunbrella. DocrilMike sent us a cut of Docril to test and we really liked the stiff hand and the way i sewed. I do not think Mike sells cut yardage of Docril, only full rolls.  You can check with him on that.
Docril is manufactured in Barcelona.

Have you tried upselling Solarfix yet ?Mike and Rick and myself have had excellent luck upselling it.

Chris T
Title: Bimini Help--Good News!
Post by: Virgs Sew n Sew on January 18, 2017, 02:25:29 pm
Quote from: Mojo on January 15, 2017, 06:39:39 pm

Have you tried upselling Solarfix yet ?Mike and Rick and myself have had excellent luck upselling it.

Chris T



Is that the link where you can sell excess vinyl?  If so, I've not had a chance to yet but intend to get going on that in the near future.

My customer emailed me yesterday and accepted my bid on the bimini project!  Also, wisely opted to replace both pieces, even though only one had torn.  My feeling was that the second bimini piece would tear sooner rather than later and we'd be jumping through hoops to replace that other section.  At any rate, Jerry was by this afternoon to pay for Tempotest and part of the labor so I'll be placing my order through Miami yet this week.

I'm ecstatic that I landed the project.  I'm almost finished with my last customer quilt so it's nice to have a project with some meat to it.

Virginia
Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: Mike on January 22, 2017, 04:32:17 pm
good 4 u   I just finished these 2 tops

https://scontent-mia1-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/16174474_10208442683239995_4911945266441664528_n.jpg?oh=30134263f22ddf66a27800ee507ff15f&oe=5911E1CB

also this  seating
https://scontent-mia1-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/16142427_10208442683279996_792676577017112372_n.jpg?oh=3bd7c9b33e90cc3cb399a1452372a6d8&oe=590DC6AA
Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: Virgs Sew n Sew on January 23, 2017, 05:13:17 am
Wow, Mike!

Your work is always incredible!  I love the seats, especially the contrast welting (if that is what it's called).  Very sharp at any rate.

Virginia
Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: Virgs Sew n Sew on February 06, 2017, 04:11:58 pm
Finally got the Tempotest ordered for the bimini this morning.  Got shipping notification early this afternoon so that was pleasing.  Expect it to come either tomorrow or Wednesday, depending on shipment method used and where it ships out from.  May get this project done yet!

Virginia
Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: brmax on February 06, 2017, 05:58:06 pm
I would sure like to hear your working opinion with it as you do the project. I remember some talk of both their coated and non coated so appreciate any tips on it. Their site i need to look at some more as interest with categories and will take a look.  ts a benefit around here with the ability in using both marine styles they make. There sure is a lot of places in the Ohio area with fabric materials i guess.

good day
Floyd
Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: Virgs Sew n Sew on February 07, 2017, 05:22:27 am
Good Morning Floyd!

I ordered the uncoated, for what it's worth.  I'll let you know how things go.  From the sample cards, it definitely has a nice texture so we will see how it goes.  Now that the tempotest is ordered, I'm getting itchy fingers to get to going on it.  Have spent the last week and a half getting alterations out of the way so that I can devote working hours to this project.  Will do alterations in the evenings and on weekends so that will slow them down a bit but this project gets top billing until it is completed.

Just checked UPS tracking and order is projected to deliver COB Wed.  Shipped from Kokomo, IN.  Web doesn't indicate shipping method but I'm betting ground.  Still 2 day from order to receipt is nothing to sneeze about.

Hope that everyone has a great day and week! 

Virginia
Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: Virgs Sew n Sew on February 09, 2017, 05:16:59 am
I should start cutting fabric tomorrow.  Arrived around 11 on Wed.  Removed protective wrapping to have a look see.  Color is very close to the original but, most importantly, it is obviously the correct composition as feels identical to what was removed -- maybe a little stiffer since it is brand new.  Took lots of pictures of the existing bimini in various stages of tear out, plus made a detailed diagram of where zippers go, along with measurements.  I'm pretty confident that I did the pre-work correctly.

Virginia
Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: Darren Henry on February 10, 2017, 04:35:56 am
QuoteI should start cutting fabric tomorrow.


First you need to set up the old tops and move the bows to where they should be, not where they were. then you can make your patterns. You want the two tops to form a straight ridgeline---not a two humped camel like many pontoon boats.
Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: Mojo on February 10, 2017, 08:11:03 am
Virginia:

When dealing with acrylics, every manufacturer has a slightly different  " hand " ( feel ). Tempotest and Docril have stiffer hands then Sunbrella and Sattler. The main reason can be attributed to the way the factory finishes the product and the chemical formula. Also the hand can change according to colors. Some colors require more finishes for UV stability versus other colors.

Stiff or soft hands do not really correspond or relate to quality. The main quality factors are the weave and the fibers used. The European acrylics are much better then others such as Sunbrella because they use higher end fibers and they also use a special weave process that resists stretching and shrinkage.

In awning fabric replacements we prefer the stiff hand versus the soft. It makes it easier for creasing, folding, pocketing and machining.

Chris
Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: Virgs Sew n Sew on February 11, 2017, 05:27:14 am
Thanks for keeping me grounded Darren.  I'm going to see if I can get the bows downstairs later today.  If not, I'll set them up in the garage.

Chris, thanks for the explanation about the "stiffness" factor I had noticed in the fabric!  I love fun factoids like that!

Virginia
Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: Darren Henry on February 11, 2017, 07:55:02 am
QuoteI'll set them up


Just make sure your deck hinges etc... are spaced the same as on the boat and you can't go wrong.
Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: Virgs Sew n Sew on February 13, 2017, 05:27:07 am
Quote from: Darren Henry on February 11, 2017, 07:55:02 am

Just make sure your deck hinges etc... are spaced the same as on the boat and you can't go wrong.


That makes perfect sense; however, I don't have the boat, just the bows.  So, I should call Jerry (owner) and ask him to measure what on the boat for me?  Or should I be able to figure it out by looking at the bows?

Thanks!

Virginia
Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: Darren Henry on February 14, 2017, 04:25:47 am
You are best to get Jerry to measure the boat. You need the width of the boat (centre of rail to centre of rail). You also need to know how far apart the deck hinges that the tops attach to are from each other. Finally you need to know if there are deck straps (top is held up by straps) or or more deck hinges for solid support bars and where they are. With that you can make a mock up of his boat out of a couple of 2X4's and your tops will drop right into place. I would wait until you have the actual boat to install snaps on the side/stern curtains.
Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: brmax on February 14, 2017, 12:20:47 pm
I would need the boat
Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: Darren Henry on February 15, 2017, 04:27:18 am
she's making the boat [wink]. All the attachment points on a pontoon are in a straight line down the rail.Once she copies that layout on a couple of 2X4's she can set up his old bows just like it was on the boat.

You're right though that doesn't work on a boat with a windshield and anchor points inside the hull etc...
Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: brmax on February 15, 2017, 05:27:46 am
Oh ok, didn't pick that up i was on break and had my mind stuck on windshield fitting.

Good day
Floyd
Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: Mike on February 16, 2017, 08:19:35 pm
ii set up frames all the time on a 2x4 and build a top with the boat absent
Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: Virgs Sew n Sew on February 20, 2017, 12:36:51 pm
Jerry is measuring the boat today and is coming over tomorrow morning.  We are setting the bows up in the garage (my incentive to get this done quickly -- before hubby has a tizzy fit about my turning his garage into a boat ; o ).

Thanks for the help.  I have cut some smaller pieces of the bimini out.  They sew on the bimini and then zip together.  Knew I couldn't go wrong on those.  I am very eager to get this up and going as I also have the fabric in house for my BIL & SIL's oversize recliners.  Busy, busy, busy and lovin' it!

Virginia
Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: Virgs Sew n Sew on February 21, 2017, 12:06:26 pm
Have the bows set up in the garage, also Jerry made a very detailed drawing of the inside of his pontoon and measurements between deck hinges, etc.  I probably could have set the bows up in my new room off Sew & Sew, but it would have cramped it up and I already have a couple of hs girls bringing prom dresses over in the next few weeks so.....

I see no reason why this project will drag out though.  Hubby wasn't at all upset over turning the garage into a make shift pontoon.  Had one of the zippers sewn in fabric and gave that to Jerry to take home so his wife can see the fabric that he and I picked.  He agreed that Tempotest is very fine stuff.  As Chris said up somewhere in this thread, it folds very easily and I like that as well.

Virginia
Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: Darren Henry on February 22, 2017, 04:24:17 am
Good for you. How much did you have to adjust the bows to get the shape and spacing you wanted?
Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: Virgs Sew n Sew on February 22, 2017, 05:18:46 am
These guys are aluminum and the front section was 20" between the hole that the slide piece fits in.  They fold up flat so I unfolded them and measured between the holes until my stick hit the 20" mark.  The back section will be a bit trickier as there are three slide pieces (hope that makes sense).  Jerry made a great diagram that shows all the dimensions on the boat.  Quite cool. 

I think that after my 2 appointments for prom dresses come next week, I will move the bows downstairs into my new room.  Weather is going to be wintery again.  For the last 10 days, we have been in the high 50's to mid 70's (76 was our high yesterday), so I haven't minded going in and out of the garage.  That is going to change and it will be much more convenient to have them downstairs.
Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: Virgs Sew n Sew on April 04, 2017, 02:00:27 pm
I've had the small bimini piece done for several weeks, just waiting on my customer to come by and check it out.  Finally came by this afternoon and he grinned from ear to ear when he saw it and is now very excited for me to finish the larger piece (they zip together).

Larger piece has gone much faster as I made all my dumb mistakes on the first section.  Did a better job labeling, pieces, etc., so sewing has gone much faster.  Have maybe 7 zipper halves left to sew plus the binding.  Have already cut binding and folded it so once all the zippers are in place, I'll whip the binding in place.  Told Jerry that, barring an unforeseen crisis, he can plan on picking it up next Monday.

Really love working with Tempotest.  It's been a dream, pretty much from start to finish.  Very easy to cut, fold and sew!

Virginia
Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: Mojo on April 04, 2017, 05:21:36 pm
Ingrid loves Tempotest. It is a stiff hand to it so makes working with it great. Especially if your folding and seaming.

Sattler has a bit of a softer hand as does Recacril. Docril is somewhere in between Sattler and Tempotest. Docril quality I feel is better then Recacril. For some reason the quality of Recacril has steadily gone down hill.

Chris

Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: Mike on April 05, 2017, 07:59:39 pm

chris I havnt been able to get with mike ( havnt tried hard) hes always travling.  did you say Docril  is in florida?
Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: Mojo on April 07, 2017, 02:31:55 pm
Yeah Mike has a warehouse in Miami.
Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: Virgs Sew n Sew on April 12, 2017, 02:06:35 pm
The bimini went to its new home yesterday afternoon.  Customer was very pleased.    Now I am working full time on getting the matching recliners finished for my in-laws.  Then the 2 restaurants waiting for new booths/chairs.

Virginia
Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: Darren Henry on April 13, 2017, 04:28:23 am
Good for you. Did you take any pictures to share with us?
Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: Virgs Sew n Sew on April 13, 2017, 01:10:58 pm
Quote from: Darren Henry on April 13, 2017, 04:28:23 am
Good for you. Did you take any pictures to share with us?
I'm going to go out to their house, once he gets the bimini installed, and I'll take pictures then.  Then I'll post them.

Virginia
Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: Virgs Sew n Sew on April 25, 2017, 03:34:10 pm
I went to see the bimini yesterday.  Didn't take my camera as Jerry had mentioned a problem and I didn't know if it was something that would affect the picture. 

There were a couple pieces of velcro that I needed to add.  They weren't on the originals so I didn't know.  I use the stick on kind.  Got it placed correctly and then pinned it down to make sure that it didn't fall off during transportation back to my shop.  One zipper had come loose (about an inch or so) and one zipper needed to be moved about an inch as it was hard to get it zipped.  There are two zippers, one on each side of the seam and the hardware was kind of butting when everything is zipped over the bows and in place.  No problem, took care of all those items this morning.

The big issue was that there were a few "strings" from my center seam.  I sewed exactly as the original was and it had a few strings as well but they didn't notice.  How do ya'll keep from getting strings.  I'm using fray block on the edges (after trimming).

Thanks!

Virginia
Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: MinUph on April 25, 2017, 05:37:09 pm
If you meen threads (strings) they are taken care of by a hot knife instead of scissors when cutting the fabric. It melts the cut so it wont fray.
Title: Re: Bimini Help
Post by: Virgs Sew n Sew on April 25, 2017, 06:29:25 pm
Quote from: MinUph on April 25, 2017, 05:37:09 pm
If you meen threads (strings) they are taken care of by a hot knife instead of scissors when cutting the fabric. It melts the cut so it wont fray.


Yup, that was what I meant.  I'll store that for future reference.

Thanks!

Virginia