Re: sewing vinyl



There are exceptions to everything. And all of my comments are in a
positive tone. I think it's best to lay out the facts and then delight in
the star pupil, rather than sugarcoat.
Also, what a lay person thinks is an excellent job, when shown professional
tricks and tips is woefully amateur. Same for the recipients of those jobs.
Sometimes, you just don't know better. When presented superior products,
methods, I would think the humble person *interested in learning* would be
grateful.
But really it all goes to the mindset of getting the proper craftsman
(sewing is sooooo versatile, so many skills involved, besides an innate
knack) AND the correct tools. Give the right trade the right business and
in turn that trade/craft will share its knowledge.
For every do it yourselfer that comes in, I generally don't charge them or
only charge materials...but the wealth of learning that they leave with is
priceless. At least somewhere in the project, I want to share techniques
that only a person inclined to like this kind of stuff will appreciate.
I am not worried about losing money or business. I have all that I can
handle. In fact, my roster is full till the end of the year, I cannot find
good help anymore..it is truly a dying craft.

Some of my best proteges have been home sewers. Some of the worst proteges
have been home sewers. The difference was the mindset.
Perry

"~KK in BC~" <koffeekupz@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:ZlYFe.106996$wr.65634@xxxxxxxxxxx
> not entirely true!!! In particular I know of one set of seats that I did
> over 9 years ago now that the person has moved to three different boats
> simply because they were the best ones he said he has ever owned. They did
> not rip, they did not pull apart at the seams, they did not leak making
> the foam break down. AND they were done on a regular machine using the
> proper thread and silicone spray only.
>
> It IS possible to do a 100% finished product if you take your time and use
> the right materials for the job. I even have pictures of the seats that I
> could scan just to show you what can be done on a regular sewing machine.
>
> I don't see why she wont be able to make these things properly and
> wonderfully.
>
> ~KK in BC~ who has upholstered everything from kitchen chairs to the
> entire inside of an airplane and boat seats too.
>
> --
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> No trees were killed in the sending
> of this message. However, a large
> number of electrons were terribly
> inconvenienced......
> http://community.webshots.com/user/koffeekupz
>
>
> "Perry Templeton" <perrylep@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:4EXFe.7684$8g5.1486@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>I make my living as an upholsterer. When my residential customers come to
>>me with their attempts to sew vinyl on their home machines, I congratulate
>>them on their "valiant effort". Chances are, your machine won't really
>>produce a 100% finished product. And unless you are using a special
>>thread, you are throwing away time and money.
>> I understand the DIY mindset...it's how I started 20 years ago. But as a
>> sewing enthusiasist (sp?), I think you would be more enriched by finding
>> a friendly neighborhood upholsterer and get them to just sew it for you.
>> (Heck, send it to me, and I'll sew it for you, for free, just to have it
>> done right) And then you can do the final installation.
>> Also, on boat anything, I use stainless staples, they don't rust out.
>> HTH
>> Perry
>>
>> "IMS" <iscott@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
>> news:j84ge1h9quai6335f1c59ms3jdu1vbnv3j@xxxxxxxxxx
>> On Wed, 27 Jul 2005 18:47:47 +0200, "kristinelund"
>> <dolores_88@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>
>>>Help! I just put some vinyl fabric in my sewing machine. I'm sewing a
>>>new
>>>cushion for my husband's boat. Although I've set the stitch length to
>>>long
>>>the stitches appear very small and it's tough going. Does sewing vinyl
>>>have
>>>special requirements?
>>>
>>
>>>
>>
>> Can your sewing machine handle heavy materials? Guess that's the first
>> question....
>>
>> If the manual states it should be able to sew these items, then lighten
>> the pressure on the presser foot. I don't use a teflon foot or a
>> walking foot on any of my vintage machines, but those items may help
>> you....
>>
>> For me a combination of long stitch length, low pressure, and a size 16
>> or 18 needle and of course, going s-l-o-w-l-y.
>>
>> -Irene
>>
>>
>> --------------
>> You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.
>> --Mae West
>> --------------
>>
>>
>
>


.



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