Off My Chest
RULES:
I am looking for mods!
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I run a cut/sew shop specializing in marine canvas. I'm a one man shop but have worked for tyrants in the industry. Sounds like this guy is another dictator of his empire of dirt. Buy yourself a good walking foot machine and seize the means of production.
In all honesty, a simple box cushion should take about an hour and a half. I charge $100/hour. If I was to sub it out I have a sewer who would do it for $40/hour. I hate cushions with a passion and would tell the customer I was subbing it out but would still charge them $60/hour at least. Experience equals speed equals profit, and education is expensive. I'm sure you'll sew the next ones faster, but that doesn't mean you'll get paid extra to learn.
But fuck that guy. He will always pay the smallest amount possible and look for ways to keep his foot on your neck as you improve. Marine canvas isn't a simple trade to start in, but can be quite profitable if you don't fuck up. I encourage you to keep at it, but don't count on some asshole to help you.
The fabric was patterned and he said that he expected the pattern to match / line up on each one, and they have to match no matter which cushions were switched out. I had to be meticulous and make sure the back cushion pattern started where the seat pattern ended. Had to do the same with the boxing.
I also used a hot-knife to cut, as I had wanted to make sure fabric wouldn't unravel. That was probably overkill, but I wanted to show I could do clean work and was serious. Too bad I felt I was the only one taking it seriously, in the end.
I live in a town on the water, and we don't have a marine canvas / upholstery shop, which baffled the hell out of me. Now I realize that old, out-of-touch shop owners would not want to fairly pay employees, so that's why we still have none.
I looked into starting my own shop.. but with my country's current leader actively plunging us into an economic crisis.. it's a frustrating no-go, as the risk is far too high. Plus, I looked into buildings where it could be feasible, and I could not afford it even in my wildest dreams.
I appreciate your input. I'm too angry and frustrated to do more rn, but I do very much appreciate your kindness. Thank you.
Ya, patterns suck. Unfortunately, a great way of learning the trade can be eating some assholes shit for a while. If you can find a shop you can suffer with, it will get your face out there. People will quickly seek you out if you're talented.
It doesn't sound like you're able to start a business, but you will be able to build one. I say, I'm not building boat tops, I'm building relationships lol. It's a piece of cloth, they're going to be back for repairs. Sometimes you eat the bear, but this time the bear ate you. Remember this one and carry on with the next one. It takes a stiff spine to slut yourself as a custom shop. I call myself an upholstitute or an upholstwhore.