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Topics - bobbin

81
The Business Of Upholstery / If not Quickbooks, what?
August 25, 2010, 12:55:56 pm
The whole Quickbooks thing has gotten me thinking (smell wood burning?).  If you don't wish to purchase Quickbooks and then step onto the treadmill of yearly updates that ultimately end in the purchase of the "new and improved" version for $X every so many years, what's your option?

I know how to deal with a paper ledger but common sense tells me there is something out there that will run on a computer, be relatively simple to use, and not require the repurchase of a "master system" every few years. 

Are Quickbook updates regular parts of an accountant's service?
82
General Discussion / Gathering/shirring technique
August 13, 2010, 10:35:01 am
Cheryl's marvelous shirred skirt and "welting" on a recent upholstery project have had me thinking.  How do you guys go about shirring in your shops?

I play with a scrap to determine the ratio that is most pleasing.  Then I premake the stuff.  Depending on the fabric's hand I will either run a loose line of stitching (deliberately screwing up the tension on the machine) and pull the thread to create the shirring, sometimes I will simply use a series of marks and fold in the excess as I stitch.  I haven't done much using my overlock machine, even though it has a very nice differential feed adjustment, so clearly it's time to get "familiar" with that handy feature. 
83
The Business Of Upholstery / RE: hours of operation
August 08, 2010, 03:27:15 am
How did you arrive at your hours of operation? did you simply decide 9-5, M-F was your schedule or have you opted for different hours?  Why have you decided on the hours you keep?  Do you prefer appointments? and do you regularly go to a customer's home?

I am definitely a "morning person".  I like to be finished with work by mid-afternoon.  And I want to work week-ends.  Historically, I've found appointments work best for alteration work, but I'm not sure how they would dovetail with what I suspect will be a greater occurence of "walk ins" given the nature of the work I'm capable of doing and wish to pursue.  I'm also not sure how to handle fitting slipcovers... should the piece be brought to me or should I fit on site; I fear too much wasted time with that approach and a shop that is unattended.  Thoughts/suggestions?
84
The Business Of Upholstery / Computers and work
July 24, 2010, 07:46:32 am
How many of you use your computer to organize your business?  I watch my boss struggle with paperwork, wasting tons of time on pretty basic rote tasks.   And I have determined to begin using my computer to better advantage.  Do you:

1.)  use your computer for book keeping chores? what software are you using and do you like it? is it easy to use?

2.)  do you bank on-line?  and pay bills on line with your suppliers?  why/why not?

3.)  do you print invoices with your computer? and do you keep a record of work you've done for customers over the years on it? 

(and I apologize for all the business questions I put on the general discussion board, because I was too myopic to realize that this forum is the place for those topics.  Duh)
85
General Discussion / RE: websites
July 10, 2010, 09:52:37 am
How important are they?
How did you decide what you wanted to include on your's?
How important is updating them, and how often do you do that?
Do your customers find you "via the web"?
Are you inundated with millions of e-mail requests? how do you deal that aspect?

(no website yet, but am working hard to come up with a comprehensive package that presents my myriad skills in a concise, fun, inviting way... .  And it's a lot harder than I though it'd be, lol)
86
General Discussion / Trade publications you enjoy
July 03, 2010, 06:55:41 am
OK, along with my resolution to do more to "bulk up" my professional skills in the coming year is the knowledge that I need some "trade mags", too.  I know print seems to be going the way of the dinosaur, but what do you read? what do you particularly enjoy? what would you recommend for someone who works in the marine/awning field, but really gravitates to Home Dec.?
87
Part of what keeps me working in this trade is that it can be very creative.   Sometimes is in an aesthetic aspect, other times it's because technical challenges inspire creative solutions. 
1.)  How important is the creative aspect of your work to you?
2.)  How do you keep the creative spirit alive when faced with "from the neck down" rote jobs?
3.)  Do you think that creativity is important, at all?
4.)  Do you attend workshops/classes to keep yourselves "current" and interested in what's going on in our trade/field? 
88
General Discussion / Cording question
July 01, 2010, 11:00:03 am
I just purchased 12 yds. of a furniture fabric from Sunbrella Linen Basil; very pretty!).  It's not the usual weight of the solids/awning stripes; a lighter, softer hand overall.  I have the synthetic cording insert for use with outdoor fabrics, but it seems almost too stiff for this application.  What do you guys use when you want "outdoor/marine environment" quality but a softer, more flexible insert for your cording?  I'm thinking about getting some thin polyester line as a substitute.  Your thoughts/recommendations?

(I will be recovering the cushions on our outdoor wicker couch and 4 dining chairs; all are under the deck canopy but it's definitely an outdoor environment.  I am really excited about this project; been a long time since I've done something nice for us!)
89
General Discussion / White marking pencils
June 29, 2010, 11:24:58 am
OK, I gotta ask... we have a new box of the washout white pencils from Trivantage.  They suck! they won't mark clear plastic and I could barely get them to work on double coated stamoid this morning.  Anyone else experiencing this "issue"?