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Unh... customer has a 2005 Beneteau, dinette (curved, every cushion is shaped) and salon settee in a very nice vinyl.  The two outer most seat cushions are cracked and really worn; he'd like to replace those (possibly the remaining seat cushions) but the match to the backs has to be pretty close.  The closest thing I can match is Ultra Leather (original is very supple and very fine grained, no manufacturer marking on the inside backing)  but I can't quite zero in on the color (weird beige/almond/grey).  Can any of you help me?  I've struck out with samples from Miami (all too "yellow) and I've had about as much success trying to find matches for "2005 Beneteau vinyl interiors".  I really don't want to order up another round of 4x4" samples but if I have to I will. 

I have recently developed a bad habit of not buying tools.  When I had my "straight job" (and a predictable paycheck) I always bought tools.  But, as you know, you need things for your own business and when the money coming in isn't as "predictable" as the pay from a straight job you tend to hesitate more.  I finally pulled the trigger on a servo motor and new bench top for my overlock machine, and two punches and a nice mallet to make grommetting easier.  Do you find that you've fallen into the "afraid to spend money for capital investment" rut, too?  It's weird, I never used to be like this, lol. 

Ever taken on a job you really questioned?  I just finished one involving reworking and shortening used drapery panels (cutting down a few and reworking pleats on a few more).  I generally loathe that kind of work (you have work with what is and deal with construction that isn't "by the book"), but I need to bring in revenue so I said, yes.  I fretted and fretted before finally taking the scissors to the existing panels (interlined to make it even more pleasant).  I told the woman it would be "stock and time" but the face fabric was a lovely chintz and had been expensive, she recognized quality and said "go for it".  I delivered and installed them today.  I had to add carriers to the traverse rods, something I've only ever done in the privacy of my home (I am no "installer") and everything went smoothly.  I was worried it would turn into a fiasco, but it didn't!  I can't wait to move on the to the little seat "slipcovers" for the 10 dining chairs... and then the thermally lined portieres for the foyer...

I received a request to make a cover for an outdoor kitchen area... granite counter top, expensive built-in grill, and small service sink.  Also for the patio furniture; 2 chairs, a table, and a couch.  First thing I thought of was the lightweight stamoid, which I love! works up beautifully and wears like iron and it will scrunch down for easy storage.  

Do any of you guys have any other suggestions for a rugged outdoor fabric that will withstand a New England winter?

Not related to sewing, but I wonder if any of you furniture guys have experience with spray painting using a gun and your compressor?  I've been thinking about buying one and looked at a set (2 guns) from Harbor Freight for about $50.  I've never used one before and I read the comments; seems most of the use was with oil-based paints.  Could I use them with latex paints if I use an appropriate thinner (Flo-trol) to thin the paint?

I'm interested in clear coating ship lap paneling that will be used for a porch ceiling.  The idea is to prefinish the pcs. before we install them.  I would used water-based polyurethane.  I'd also like to use oil based paint to spray some old wicker furniture.

Ever been "up against" something you have to get done but been overwhelmed by it?  How did you solve it and how long did it take?

A graphic artist friend of mine is helping me with my business cards.  He sent me some proofs the other day with the following in large print:  Fine upholstery and Interiors.  Under that was:  cushions, slipcovers, draperies. 

I'm not an upholsterer, nor am I an interior designer and I feel the bold print conveys both of those.  But I'm not sure what to supstitute for either! what is it that I actually do?  "Home furnishings", "soft home furnishings", what?

Any suggestions for the "right" words would be appreciated!  I am stuck in a circular pattern of thought, lol. 

What item do you think is the most important thing you've purchased for your shop?  (not a sewing machine).

Do any of  you have an account with them?  I am curious about the terms of your account.

Do you make an effort to keep current with techniques and trends in our field?  What things do you do to keep yourself "fresh", interested, and motivated to keep cranking out quality work?

I am no upholsterer.  I did a futon cover that required buttons(there was an inner spring in it, too) .  I put 40someodd of those suckers in and I was surprised at how much work it was!  My co-worker is an experienced upholstery guy and he was so patient showing me how to put them on the tufting needle, secure the second button and then adjust them for evenness.  But wow! on a big item it took a lot of time and "flipping" to get it right. 

You upholstery guys have always inspired my respect, but that futon underscored it.  Sofa., how did your grandparents get the buttoning even on both sides of a horsehair mattress?? what was the set up they had to hasten the fiddley process?

The husband is working.  I'm home alone.  I've planted the window boxes on the house, mown the south lawn, and have washed and hung two loads of laundry.  I haven't gotten to the 2 awnings I want to wash, but there's always tomorrow.  And once those are done I'll be able to plant the window boxes under them.  Lovely weather today (mid 70s and sunny), not so great for tomorrow and Memorial Day but it'll be OK.  You?

I've been  intermittantly watching "Barbeque U" on the PBS digital channel, "Create".  Man! almost makes me want to start grilling!!

I just reread ICupholstery's question about the pontoon interior.  And I was thinking that it takes time, practice, and a few mistakes to get things running smoothly.  I have a ton of work right now, and I haven't had to "eat" a job in a really long time. 

My time estimates have been right on the snapper, so "beat the clock" hasn't been a factor.  And my fabric estimates have been generous enough that I haven't had to struggle and the customer hasn't ended up with lots of left overs.  I have established accounts with several suppliers, order on-line and receive statements electronically. 

The computer is still a struggle but with a good book keeper and diligence it's paying off!  I have resisted the temptation to hand write bills and can now fumble through inventory entries with relative ease.  In truth, the added dimension of the computer is the hardest part of what I do! the key is to not be overwhelmed by it and pick away at it. 

How do you eat an elephant?  One bite at a time!

I'm re-doing the interior of an Island Packet 35, c. early 90s.  I'm recovering old foam and I'm working with leather (it's gorgeous)  And I am blown away by what a really QUALITY upholstery job the original was.  The foam is in fine condition after a thorough steaming  (the batting is gross, lol).  The fabric is soiled and worn, and the pattern is horribly dated.  But! whoever did the original work was very competent.  I have used the original covers as patterns after pressing the pcs. flat; they were that good!  (I almost never do that).

Every single aspect of the interior was meticulous.  One seat cushion to another... each one done the same way.  Every stapled on back... the same number or staples on every draw strip (12) and the spacing was uncanny.  Stainless staples.  There are interior zipper boxings to contain the knee rolls on the seats  and interior draw strips to contain the upper back detail of the seat backs.  Every detail in what are reasonably complicated cushions is beautifully thought through.  I have to salute Island Packet in their selection of the uholsterer; "production boats" often don't get much respect, but everything I've seen in the salon upholstery of the boat in question has been inspiring. 

I have pictures and this will be a good exercise in learning how to watermark my own pictures!

I recently received my very first TriVantage catalogue and while ordering zippers for a couple of jobs I spied the little metal things that you crimp around the final tooth on a shortened zipper.  I've seen them a lot but where I work now doesn't use them.  Instead, we use on of those cheapie hot knife/paddle thingys to heat the final two teeth.  It works fine, but it's not nearly as neat and tidy.  What are you guys using to effect a reliable end to a shortened zipper?

Should I spring for the $50 crimper and the price of the stainless stops?  If not, where can I find the cheapie paddle hot knife (I nearly incinerated a vinyl curtain using my Engel and not realizing the zipper was on fire! caught it in time, but it got me thinking, that's for sure!). 

OK, HogRing's post of shop organization/tidiness elicited several replies.  I work in total -hit hole and I absolutely hate it.  I see the time and effort wasted coping with others' inablility to pick up after themselves. 

What's the hardest thing for you when it comes to tidying  your space?  Me?  it's scrap material.  Maybe it's my yankee frugality, maybe it's my creativity... but throwing out scraps of "useful" size is really hard for me.  I can see "use" and value in just about anything and my pea brain has visions of cool craft-y projects that would use them up nicely.  But, like everyone else, I have only 24 hrs. in each day and rarely do the projects come to fruition. 

Your turn.

OK, I have finished up the year and have squared up with Uncle Sam.  Let me state up front that I don't think taxes are "bad", quite the opposite, in fact!  But, that said, I would prefer to spend money to build my business than pay it to a spendthrift gov't.. 

The object of the game is to spend down any "profit" by reinvesting in your business, right?  At what point in the year do you guys close out your books so that you know how much you have at your disposal to spend on capital investments?  I am not at all clear on this point and my experience this tax season has made manifest that the fog be lifted and I work this year with desired captial improvements/investments more defined. 

Help?

I presently don't accept credit cards.  But the lovely woman who cuts my hair every 5 wks.  recently started using Square to accept credit card payments using her cell phone.  OK, so dummy me instantly wonders if I could do the same thing on my (Windows 7) laptop?  I did a few searches but came up empty handed (crummy "searcher"). 

Information eagerly awaited.  I'm nowhere near ready to "pull the trigger" but I do see the importance of CCs and the fact that the sales are basically guaranteed... checks are not!

OK, well, I received my first real "dope slap" with respect to estimating fabric today.  Project is a slipcover for sleeper sofa and putting pencil to paper after measuring I came up with 17 yds. of fabric (2 deck cushions and 2 back cushions, and arm protectors!).  I was aghast at the quantity, but I "went with it".  Well, today, after I cut the cushions and matched the front boxings, I looked at what was left over and wondered if I'd calculated properly.  I am shocked at the amount of fabric skirts can eat up!  I'll be OK, but there won't be much left over. 

Here's what has me scratching my head:  I calculated 17 yds. and it worked because the repeat on the fabric isn't that large (17").  Do you start with a plain fabric yardage and then factor in the repeat?  If the repeat is large do you figure one full repeat per cut?  My goal is to "idiot-proof" the fabric purchase since most of my customers are COM, and don't always go to full service stores where saleshelp can calculate yardage factoring in an individual fabric's repeat.  I'm still fumbling my way through how to "nest" the pieces required to get a pleasing result in the finished product.  Draperies are easy... you need so many repeats to get the match; it seems trickier with upholstery and slipcovering.  Am I missing something pretty easy and basic here? (maybe tied in to horizontal repeats?). 

I've been asked to work an estimate for a sailboat salon and the customer is set on leather (at least for now).  I have the measurements but I need to ask about how to vent the cushions so when the owner settles in on them he won't feel as though he's sitting on a balloon.  I know there are the little round thing-ys, but I'm thinking about using mesh on the zipper boxings instead. 

What do you use? how do you decide what to use? and if you opt for the little round guys, how do you know how many to use to get a good result?  Also, is there a special tool for adding them?