• Inspiration

    Published On: January 1, 2022Categories: Features, Shop Talk

    These clients thought they wanted a pink dodger, which translated into a request for something unique and allowed total design freedom. The resulting color combination turned into something unusual for a dodger, or any project really. Using Stamoid™ Open, Sattler® Ash, Sunbrella® Black Binding and Tempotest® Carbon Fiber, the project mixed 90-degree corners on the [...]

  • Showroom showdown

    Published On: January 1, 2022Categories: Features

    When Oyster Creek Canvas owner Greg Keeler renovated the building, he replaced the windows with replicas of the originals to maintain the vintage character of the showroom. Photo: Oyster Creek Canvas Co. Whether it’s online or brick and mortar, a well-conceived product showroom can make a substantial difference in how customers perceive your company and [...]

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  • Regaining control over job scheduling

    Published On: January 1, 2022Categories: Features

    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 [...]

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  • Shade sails on land and sea

    Published On: September 1, 2021Categories: Features

    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 [...]

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  • New solutions to some sticky textile problems

    Published On: September 1, 2021Categories: Features

    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 [...]

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  • Taking the next step: Jeff Newkirk grows his business

    Published On: September 1, 2021Categories: Features

    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. [...]

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  • Bedding projects that wow

    Published On: July 1, 2021Categories: Features

    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 [...]

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  • Digital patterning: 2D and 3D tools

    Published On: July 1, 2021Categories: Features

    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 [...]

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  • Tailored Solutions: Monica Stockburger profile

    Published On: July 1, 2021Categories: Features

    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 [...]

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  • Tools of the Trade: Marine fabricators share their favorites

    Published On: May 1, 2021Categories: Features

    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,” [...]

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