MFA regional workshops offer opportunities to see how other fabricators operate their shops. Photo: ATA Networking is a crucial part of being in any industry, and fabricators truly benefit from in-person connection. The Marine Fabricators Association (MFA), a member group of Advanced Textiles Association (ATA), hosts several events each calendar year. We focus on the [...]

Snug-fitting bolster and seat covers stay in place when the boat is underway with minimal use of fasteners. My employees have heard me say many times “I’d rather make new canvas for a 53-foot Sea Ray® Sedan Flybridge than to do a 25-foot center console.”  Why, you ask? Simply stated, the larger boat is easier [...]

Industrial sewing machines can cost $3,000–$8,000 each, and inflation doesn’t help. Photo: Jim Robert For years, I viewed insurance premiums as a necessary evil—an expensive line item that seemed to grow annually without tangible benefit. That perspective changed dramatically when fire tore through our marine canvas workshop. What I learned in the aftermath could save [...]

The clarity of polycarbonate glass is unsurpassed. If I were to have a class on sailboats, it could be a very short class: “Welcome to sailboat class. Remove all snaps, turn fasteners and lift-the-dots® around the dodger. Replace them with flex-track and zippers. Use polycarbonate glass in windows. Don’t hit your head. Class dismissed.” Years [...]

If you’re like most people, the thought of giving a presentation ranks somewhere between a root canal and rush-hour traffic on the list of things you’d rather avoid. In fact, studies estimate that nearly 75 percent of the population experiences some level of anxiety about public speaking. The good news, though, is that with the [...]

Your most valuable asset may be your business. A business owner can spend decades building a business and reputation. As they approach retirement age, they likely have questions such as: How do they value their business? How do they maximize the value and minimize taxes upon sale or succession? Determining value So what is the [...]

Nelson Valderrama asks Claude AI to create a sample of a cost optimization analysis, based on a simulated small shade fabrication shop. The numbers in this graphic do not represent real data, but rather it illustrates what Claude can produce. Photo: Nelson Valderrama Most companies likely would welcome an employee with a doctorate who works [...]

Over the past 20 years, the question I’m asked most often by canvas makers, upholsters and my students is “How much should I charge for this project?” Daily, someone is asking that question on the Advanced Textiles Association forums and industry Facebook groups. As business owners, we must consider several factors, such as: Markup, Hourly [...]

Regardless of the style, make your seat covers wrinkle-free and pleasing to the eye. Some canvas fabricators get excited when a customer asks for seat covers, helm covers and bolster covers, while others begin to get anxious.  Those that welcome these types of jobs find them to be manageable in size—having less fitting time, less [...]

ID 339327683 © Yuri Arcurs| Dreamstime.com. I have been sewing for the better part of 52 years. My dad started a custom canvas company in 1963, when I was a teenager, and I eventually went to work with him. That is where I really started learning about sewing machines. Over time I learned how to use [...]