Have you ever just simply failed?

[jojo]

Hey everyone,
I did a very old pontoon boat, which consisted of 4 seats and 4 separate seat backs, steerage, 4 armrest/console thingies, a couple of boards, and a captains/helm chair. Here's a before pic:



Well, everything turned out pretty good, except for the captains chair. This thing presented somewhat of a challenge for me. It has inside curves, outside curves, stripes, etc.  I used some parts of the old cover for the pattern (which was really crispy), and did another stupid thing: I assumed the seat was symmetrical, and made half the pattern, then flipped it and drew the other half. Well, guess what? It's not symmetrical! the foam is a whole inch higher on the left than it is on the right. So when I put the new cover on for a fitting, it looked crooked in front where the stripes were. You can even see this on the old cover, except it was hard to notice when I got it because your eye is drawn to the big rip in the center.
But now that everything is nice and new and clean, oh boy, you notice it from a mile away. And I'm out of fabric, and so is my supplier, so starting over is out of the question.
I don't want my name on this crooked thing, and am thinking of not charging for the chair and letting him buy a new captains chair, which is an idea he toyed with anyway.
What would you guys do?

[crammage]

Ooh, tough situation.  One that I ponder almost every time I take on a new project.  I think your best bet at this time would just have him go buy a new seat.  Chalk it up to experience and move on.

Clay

[MinUph]

  I don't want to sound ruff here but you took the job. Do it again and make it nice. Take your time figure out the patters and do it. The original was probably symmetrical. It looks like a large person used the chair and sat on the left side of it pulling down on the cover and the filling under it. An inch is not all that much. Steaming the foam may very well bring it back.
  You asked what we would do. I only can speak for myself but I would do it again and if I failed learn from it and do it yet again till I got it right. Everyone makes mistakes and finds some projects tougher than others especially the first time. Don't give up so easily. It's only vinyl and a little $$. Sometimes just walking away for awhile solves these tuff ones.
  If you need help patterning ask for it. We will help.

[sofadoc]

I'm just a furniture guy, so I have to ask you boat guys.
Are those type of boat seats profitable (even if you get them right the first time)?

[hidebound]

     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.

[MinUph]

I'm just a furniture guy, so I have to ask you boat guys.
Are those type of boat seats profitable (even if you get them right the first time)?

They are profitable is you charge enough. Many (smaller boat) people won't pay for good work but some will and appreciate it when its done. Just like anything else.
  I have done more furniture in my career but like doing nice boats, bikes etc. Even an occasional special car.
  I charge my fee and if I get the work good. If not I don't scrounge for it.

[vu]

There are only 2 ways out for you - redo it again until you get it right or find something broken or rusted inside, that is "too expensive to fix" or "you don't do that kind of repair" or "it eventually will break and not worth fixing/upholstering" to steer the customer towards getting a new one. You don't want to spread the word that you are incapable of something.

[jojo]

You're not rough at all, Minuph. It's probably what I needed to hear. It's tough sometimes when you don't work for someone else and you can't go to the boss and ask how something is done.  I'm going to make it work somehow. Thanks everyone for you thoughts on this; it's nice to know I'm not alone.
Jo

[seamsperfect]

I never give up on a seat I just try to come up with a solution.  Jojo that seat looks symmetrical, maybe the foam broke down over time.  Foam the other side and make it even or re-foam it so it is all even.  If your cover is nice and tight then your cover should fit.    Any pics of the seat you did?
Kevin

[kodydog]

Here's one for you jojo.

The first time I put the seat on it came out all wrinkled. I used the old pattern. I spent about an hour trying to make it fit. Finally gave up and walked away from it. Two days later I took the whole thing apart, made the pattern smaller and reattached it. Second time a charm.

I'd say take the cover off. Add some padding to the lower side and recover it. Don't give up and don't let it get the best of you. Think how happy the customer will be with a fully completed job.

I wouldn't say you failed, your just not finished yet.

[jojo]

So, I took a breather for a day, steamed the foam and am having a second go at it. Fingers crossed!
Thanks, guys!

[MinUph]

atta girl!  ;D

[Mike8560]

I'm just a furniture guy, so I have to ask you boat guys.
Are those type of boat seats profitable (even if you get them right the first time)?

I'd charge about 300 for the seat and 2 to 3 grand for thenwhole boat just vinyl.

[jojo]

ok, started over, but new problem: it has a zipper to attach the seat back front and back pieces together. Here is a photo of the seat corner viewed from the back and  turned upside down. The zipper has to go around that curve on each side, and I'm getting serious wrinkles in the front when I zip the zipper. What am I doing wrong????
I am going to take a picture of the wrinkles and post later.