Adjusting to a bigger shop

July 1, 2022  |  Interiors & Upholstery, Projects

In 2019, I moved Chicago Marine Canvas into a new 2,500-square-foot space, and by the summer of 2021, customer projects were piling up on top of one another. An additional sewing table had been made under a low storage loft, we were constantly moving projects in the middle of production to complete …
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Ultimate cushion design

May 1, 2022  |  Interiors & Upholstery, Projects

At Interiors by Dawn, the ultimate cushion design—which provides increased drainage and airflow, reduced mold and mildew growth and longevity—is always evolving. This is not for every customer or project; we tailor and customize our cushions to fit each individual project. However, we make sure …
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New marine fabric selection techniques

March 1, 2022  |  Interiors & Upholstery, Projects

We marine fabricators love fabrics. In fact, most of the conversations I have with customers start like this, “We love fabric. We have fabrics in every color under the rainbow. But our fabrics are special because they are marine grade.” And let’s be honest, fabric is the fun part of our job, r…
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Products and techniques for custom cushions

September 1, 2021  |  Interiors & Upholstery, Projects

By Terri Madden and Alayna Wool What do you do when a customer requests something that is outside your realm of experience? How do you elevate your skills in order to work on the type of projects you love? How do you learn about new product offerings and materials from suppliers? By reading columns …
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Window Treatment Trends

July 1, 2017  |  Interiors & Upholstery, Projects

Interest in window coverings for marine applications has experienced a rebirth of sorts and more consumers, fabricators and designers are using innovative window treatment designs. When Krisha Plauché, owner of Onboard Interiors in Marblehead, Mass., is fabricating drapery for a stateroom, she ofte…
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Fresh updates for older vessels

January 1, 2017  |  In the Shop, Interiors & Upholstery, Projects, Resources

Most interior fabrication projects occur on fixer-uppers. The vessel might be vintage or it might be less than ten years old. While I always welcome the challenge of doing a better design than the original, there is a fine line between aesthetics and practicality. After all, the boat needs to be bot…
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Meticulous prototyping leads to attractive cylinder cushions

September 1, 2016  |  How-To Articles, Interiors & Upholstery, Projects

Over the years I have been asked to fabricate several unusual items. I never know if that item will be a one-hit wonder or will become a customer favorite. In most cases, I create prototypes that help me creatively solve design challenges. I charge a prototype fee of a few hundred dollars to develop…
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The art of project management on contour cushions

July 1, 2016  |  Interiors & Upholstery, Projects

Marine fabricators are a unique group of craftspeople and business owners. Many of us are familiar with the notion that creative pursuits are right-brain activities, while math and logic are left-brain activities. As marine fabricators, we utilize the right sides of our brains for design solutions t…
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