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Tricky client design challenges
January 1st, 2023
Photo 1. A photo of the original boat interior of a 70-foot Hatteras. The clients initially wanted to replicate the color and pattern of these Wayfair pillows in the main salon; something that proved especially challenging. For most fabricators, long-term success doesn’t come from the easy jobs, but from the challenging projects. Using two case […]
Women fabricators discuss working in a male-dominated industry
March 1st, 2022
Business hasn’t always been smooth sailing for Katie Bradford of Custom Marine Canvas in Noank, Conn. Back in 1990, five years after starting her business, she lost out on a substantial sail-building order because the customer believed she’d be giving up her business to focus on her new marriage. In another instance, a male customer […]
Tools, tips and tricks
September 1st, 2020
Clever tips from marine fabricators Use these clever tool hacks from Faith Roberts, owner of Banner Canvas in Ham Lake, Minn., to streamline your shop and increase your efficiency. Hack 1 Clear bins with labels help you see everything at a glance. It saves time and allows you to reorder supplies as needed. Hack 2 […]
Digital determination
July 1st, 2020
Adding automation can prove challenging, with costs to consider, processes to change and nervous employees to reckon with. Still, fabricators who have taken the leapsay there’s no other way to go. By Pamela Mills-Senn When Darren Arthur, owner of Nautilux Custom Canvas LLC in Hazlet, N.J., purchased a single-fly Aeronaut cutter eight years ago—his first […]
2020 fabric and flooring trends
March 1st, 2020
Fabric and flooring trends for the upcoming season—and beyond. by Sigrid Tornquist Maybe it’s because boats are so special to their owners, or because boat owners are people who love to show off their latest acquisitions. Whatever the reason, most boat owners crave a vessel that showcases statement-making flooring and fabric trends. Aft deck entertaining […]
Sewing machine savvy
May 1st, 2019
Maintenance—and knowing your machine—means less downtime It’s human nature. Even the best-intentioned person doesn’t always floss his or her teeth daily. And, as it turns out, not all fabricators read the instruction manuals for their sewing machines. Or take the time to keep up with the machine’s maintenance needs. The sewing machine is the heart […]
Tips for new employees
January 1st, 2019
One of the trickiest things facing the sewing industry is finding qualified workers. Many new employees may be unfamiliar with the basics of sewing machine operation, says Faith Roberts, owner of Banner Canvas in Ham Lake, Minn. During a presentation at IFAI Expo this past October, Roberts pointed out that many young people neither grow […]
Needle and thread know-how
January 1st, 2018
In every theatrical production there are people laboring behind the scenes, working hard to keep things moving forward seamlessly. Generally unsung (at least by the audience), their efforts are integral to the performance’s success; indeed, without these folks the play would quickly fall apart no matter how well-written the script or how fine the actors. […]