New Canvases- Winter Project a Success

cod

cod

Active Member
Nov 25, 2010
920
Bonita Springs, Fl.
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So this project started out with the wife in mind. She has enjoyed sewing most of her life but mostly dresses, jeans etc... I approached her about getting a commercial sewing machine and making new canvases for the bridge. She gave me that "Are you #$%&*!@ crazy" look... but she warmed up to the idea after I told her no pressure, if it becomes to difficult, we abort the mission..... We'll, I found a used machine and set it up in my 3 car heated garage. I also have a ping pong table that ended up being the same height as the machine table so I had a nice size working surface. I then set up a TV in the garage. I had a source through one of my subcontractors(he also though I was crazy after I showed him the boat) for all the marine material(Canvas, Strataglass, Thread, Zippers, Facing, Velcro, etc.). We'll she was nervous she was going to screw up, so I got behind the machine and practicing with scraps, got the feel of the machine. We'll I ended up doing most of the sewing myself. I did it mostly on the weekends with the football games on. There were a couple of days she helped me where I would need to make the custom facing material. I would measure and cut the material, make the markings and she would sew the pieces. The process went a lot faster.
It was definately an ambitious project but once you get the feel of the machine, and get a comfort level, it really wasn't to bad. Fortunately, the boat came with all the templates for the Strataglass and I used the old canvases to align to. The hardest part was doing the smiley zippers that open. Screwed up the first one I made but then was able to get them done with a different approach..

Well, put them on last Saturday finishing some snaps and one zipper and all turned out well.....they are so clear when new.... and before you ask, no! I'm not interested in doing any canvas work or repairs....lol

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those look great...
ever think of being a seamstress ???
at least you were watching football :lol:
 
Wow are you handy or what!!! Big shame you won't take orders though....plus it doesn't look by the way they fit you didn't get too much beer with your football either :grin:. WELL DONE!
 
Aw man how did you know I was going to ask... you did a great job... very professional indeed!
 
Yeah, absolutely no beer while making the canvases....... Fortunately, all the playoff games were watched canvas free....
 
So, Steve, how much do you think you saved?
 
bmac said:
So, Steve, how much do you think you saved?
Click to expand...

Brian, I didn't get a quote to replace the canvases but I would guess the cost would be in the neighborhood of $8,000, maybe more. The machine cost me $500. The material cost is about $1,800 but I paid a lot less than that as my guy did me a real solid since I feed him a lot of work. So....somewhere around $7,000. I would say...
 
Wow, that looks really pro! You did an awesome job.
 
I am still sooooooooo impressed (as I can sew and know it's not always easy!) Ever thought you could perhaps knock up a wedding dress with a SeaRay emblem...?
 
Excellent job, Steve. That was great winter project. I'm surprised that you spent so much just on Strata. There isn't much of a canvas up on the bridge since you have the hard top. But, I guess it all adds up very quickly between the zippers, velcro, threads, etc. What machine did you get? Are you happy with it?
 
Thanks all....... BritLady. There were definately times I had my doubts that I could complete all the pieces. Certainly couldn't do it without the original canvases to copy and study. In regards to the weddding dress, not my department... you would have to ask the wife on that one....
 
Alex F said:
Excellent job, Steve. That was great winter project. I'm surprised that you spent so much just on Strata. There isn't much of a canvas up on the bridge since you have the hard top. But, I guess it all adds up very quickly between the zippers, velcro, threads, etc. What machine did you get? Are you happy with it?
Click to expand...

Alex,
The Strataglass is very expensive. It comes 55" x 110" sheets, 5 sheets to a drum. The machine I have is a Juki LU-563 which is a walking foot machine. You need a walking foot machine for doing this kind of work. I am very happy with it. Took a little to learn the machine but quickly got familiar with it.
 
Wow, that is DIY to the max! With the cost differential, you have plenty of cushion to screw up a few pieces before you'd eventually get the hang of it and still save a ton of money. But you seem to be a natural. Looks fantastic!

Tom
 
Looks great. Love these "DIY" success stories.
 
Thanks all...... I appreciate the kind words.........Honestly, any of you guys that are handy could do this.....
 
cod said:
brian, i didn't get a quote to replace the canvases but i would guess the cost would be in the neighborhood of $8,000, maybe more. The machine cost me $500. The material cost is about $1,800 but i paid a lot less than that as my guy did me a real solid since i feed him a lot of work. So....somewhere around $7,000. I would say...
Click to expand...

nice!!!!
 
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