For Canvasworks Inc., located in Cokato, Minn., moving projects like this bimini top with front and side windows out the door as promised depends on a detailed understanding of how long jobs realistically take to complete, employee skill sets and strategic scheduling based on staff availability. Photo: Canvasworks Inc. Moving projects out the door when [...]

A blast of color is a good thing when your fabric is adorning a playground, like these shade sails designed by Wyckam Fabric Creations in Keizer, Ore. But the growth in popularity of shade sails has as much to do with function as it does with form. Photo: Wyckam Fabric Creations. Honing your math skills [...]

Costa Marine Canvas and Enclosures designed and manufactured seating for this Valhalla Boatworks V-33 vessel with diamond stitching to echo the signature look of British luxury automobile upholstery. Photo: Viking Yacht Co. Supply chain issues aside, advancements in marine fabrics bring long-awaited solutions to at least some of the problems that have plagued marine canvas [...]

The client requested skylights for the replacement retractable roof of this Sunseeker Predator 58. In place of the stiffeners that were in each hinge section pocket, Newkirk stitched TUFFAK Marine 5 (Makrolon) between Stamoid™ hinges. The TUFFAK was sealed on both the inside and outside of the hinge pockets. All stitching is with Tenara® thread. [...]

There are many factors to keep in mind when designing a bedding project, such as how the fabrics used contribute to the overall impression of the space. Particular care must be taken when mixed fabrics and textures are selected by the client for the bed in order to ensure they mesh well together, as shown [...]

How one fabricator stepped into the future. Kyle Van Damme of Marine Tops Unlimited Inc., Omro, Wis., is among the new breed of fabricators who have embraced the tech world. Why? It’s where the future is. Photo: Marine Tops Unlimited Inc. By Jeff Moravec Marine Tops Unlimited Inc. has been providing custom fabrication for Wisconsin [...]

Clients requested a clear view and protection from a wide range of weather variables in Kachemak Bay for their touring boat, Seabird. Salty Cushions selected polycarbonate windows for clarity, Serge Ferrari Stamoid for the window trim for easy cleaning, the durability of SolarFix® thread and YKK® zippers. Monica Stockburger combines artistry with performance when repairing [...]

We asked marine fabricators to tell us about the “must-have” tools in their shop. The variety and creativity of submissions we received told us what we already knew—fabricators are a resourceful and innovative lot! By Cathy Broberg Hercules 1575 foam cutter with Bosch blade “A good quality foam cutter makes shop life so much easier,” [...]

Marine fabricators discuss their best forms of defense By Michelle Miron Most businesses have encountered these people at least once: impossible-to-please customers who make life miserable for everyone who has to work with them. Maybe they are disrespectful to you and your employees. Maybe they demand price breaks where none are due. Or perhaps they [...]

High-quality products to help you create durable, attractive and successful projects. For this feature, we asked our contributors to send us information about their high-performing products. The product information was submitted by the participating manufacturers and suppliers by the established deadline. The products are organized into three categories: Fabric, Film, & Foam; Equipment, Tools & [...]