At Kennedy Custom Upholstery, we make cushions in every size and shape and for every use. And they all start with a good pattern. Some customers want to just drop off their old cushions for the fabricator to use as the template for the new ones, but for the most control over the result it [...]

At Hood Canvas, we use binders large and small in all our canvas fabrications. Some fabricators we know apply smaller edge bindings around corners by hand and get excellent results. Every shop has its method of applying edge bindings around cutouts, but it can be difficult, especially for new fabricators. In this article we are [...]

Building custom interiors allow us to go from being upholsterers to designers to make something uniquely comfortable and classy. Building a custom interior in a vessel can be a challenge or an excitement. This all depends on how the project is presented to the customer, especially if in the beginning you can portray [...]

Our completed bimini enclosure. The vertical division at the corners originates at the Natural Intersection under the visors. At Hood Canvas we have two variations of our patterning technique. The first is our one-step process in which we make our entire pattern in one trip to the boat. The second is our two-step [...]

Our project traditional dodger on our customer's late-60s Hinckley Bermuda 40 in Marblehead, Mass. At Hood Canvas we fabricate California dodgers as well as traditional dodger styles. The style we use depends on the aesthetics of the boat and the owners’ preferences. In the last article we covered fabricating a traditional dodger forward [...]

This aluminum bass boat's new sharp blue carpet replaced the original dark gray color, which was too hot and looked dirty all the time. It’s that time of year when the trailered boats get hauled out and the projects begin. At Racine Design, we are always busy with regular upholstery and canvas jobs [...]

A Hood traditional dodger with its side panel fabricated using the method shown in this article. At Hood Canvas we have a method of sandwiching our window material between two layers of fabric. It is not unique to us, and we know of other fabricators who use this method in their enclosure fabrication. [...]

This is a zipper for a 3-inch foam seat cushion. When someone inspects a piece of furniture, such as a chest of drawers, they remove a drawer to see how it was constructed. What are they looking for? Dovetail ends, of course. Even though these are not visible from the outside, the craftsmanship [...]

Two new Hood California- style dodgers cross paths in Beverly, Mass., Harbor. Our side reinforcing method is used in the dodger top panels. At Hood Canvas we developed a method of folding in the sides of our California dodger top panels to reinforce the edge. We did not like the look of binding [...]

A CW Hood Yachts Wasque 26 outfitted with Hood Canvas and our project aft cover. Notice the stitch lines on the aft cover. There are many good ways to reinforce aft covers or mooring covers. At Hood Canvas, we like the look and strength that wide reinforcements provide. They require more time, effort [...]