{"id":1475,"date":"2020-05-15T09:23:13","date_gmt":"2020-05-15T13:23:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/?p=1475"},"modified":"2023-02-03T11:37:04","modified_gmt":"2023-02-03T16:37:04","slug":"jan-west-home-sewing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/outdoor-living\/jan-west-home-sewing\/","title":{"rendered":"Jan West: A Seasoned Sewist"},"content":{"rendered":"

With a little help from Sailrite\u00ae and the Ultrafeed\u00ae Sewing Machine, Jan West felt like she could tackle just about any project. As an experienced sewist, she was no stranger to the world of DIY projects, and she was kind enough to share with us her most recent sewing successes. She is proof that there\u2019s always a plethora of creative projects to create if you have just a little time, patience and determination.<\/span><\/p>\n

Q: What\u2019s your story? How\u2019d you start sewing?<\/b><\/p>\n

A:<\/b> I started sewing when I was a young girl, probably 8 or 9 years old. Both of my grandmothers had a big impact on my love for sewing and crafting. I spent a lot of time with both of them, and they taught me to hand sew and allowed me to sew on their machines or work on crafts. As I grew older, my career and family didn’t allow me much time to sew, but recently, I\u2019ve had free time again and gained inspiration to sew and work on different craft projects.<\/span><\/p>\n

Q: What\u2019s your most recent sewing accomplishment?<\/b><\/p>\n

A:<\/b> A few weeks ago, I decided to order fabric to re-cover my patio chair cushions. I had re-covered some a few years earlier and knew that I could tackle the job, but I wanted to refresh my memory by watching some YouTube videos. While watching these, I ran across the Sailrite video instructions on how to reupholster golf cart seats<\/a><\/strong><\/span>. The video was so easy to follow and understand and, knowing that I had sons that needed their seats reupholstered, I was convinced that I could do this.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I immediately started to search Sailrite’s website for the vinyl fabric that I would need. I was concerned that I didn’t have a walking foot upholstery sewing machine like Sailrite showed in their videos, but I did have an older metal machine with a walking foot. With the Sailrite video at my disposal, I was able to sew the vinyl on my old machine and the golf cart seats turned out very well.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

At the same time, I knew that my stitching was not as perfect as it could have been due to having to coax the fabric through at times. Soon I realized that if I was going to continue these kinds of projects, I would need a Sailrite machine. It would take my next projects from looking good to looking great! Plus it would make the project so much easier to sew. By this time, I had already watched almost all of Sailrite’s videos and had convinced myself that I could re-cover an armchair, a bimini and much more.<\/span><\/p>\n

I actually looked at different machines online, but after reading reviews, I always came back to the Sailrite website. I purchased the Ultrafeed LSZ and am currently sewing new covers for some wicker patio furniture. If you\u2019re accustomed to a regular home sewing machine, it might take a little getting used to the walking foot on the Ultrafeed, but I have been very pleased with it so far. No more coaxing the fabric through the machine and no more inconsistent stitches! I can’t wait to reupholster the next golf cart seat. I have my Morbern\u00ae vinyl from Sailrite ready and waiting!<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Jan<\/p>\n

Q: Can you tell me a little bit more about your golf cart project?<\/b><\/p>\n

A:<\/b> My golf cart seat project went right along with your how-to video series. Luckily, the seats on my golf cart were exactly like the ones that you upholstered in your video. I started by removing the seat backs. I measured the lengths, widths and edges of them and also marked where I wanted the coordinating fabric to be centered on the backs. I used these measurements, along with the seat cushion measurements, to diagram out on paper how I would lay the pattern pieces out on 54-inch wide vinyl fabric. Then I decided how much fabric I would need to order from Sailrite.<\/span><\/p>\n

I added a 1\/2-inch seam allowance to all the measurements except the boxing pieces, marking the end boxing pieces as described in the video. Then I removed the staples holding the existing vinyl on and cut out the end boxing piece to be used as my pattern. With measurements from the plywood backing, I cut out the vinyl pieces for the front of the back cushion, including the coordinating fabric and allowed about 3 inches in length on each piece to wrap around and staple to the plywood back. I sewed the fabric strips together with a 1\/2-inch seam and top stitched a flat-felled seam. I then stitched the boxing to each end and top stitched again, by watching your exceptional video.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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My husband helped me by replacing the rusted tee nuts in the plywood and I used contact cement to reattach the foam to the plywood. I had purchased a pneumatic staple gun and my husband helped me to staple the vinyl to the plywood seat backs. I’m not very strong in my hands, so having someone to help you staple and stretch the vinyl is great. We attached the newly covered back cushions to the golf cart and transferred where I wanted the coordinating fabric to match up on the seat bottom and marked the old vinyl with a sharpie marker. I basically did the same process with the seat cushion as with the backs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Overall, I enjoyed my experience with this project. It was much easier than I expected because of your instructional video tutorials that I kept referring to. The biggest setback was having to cut off the old screws and replace the tee nuts without damaging the plywood. Even though I used fabric from Sailrite, at this time I didn\u2019t have my Ultrafeed and I really wish I did. It would\u2019ve turned out much better.<\/span><\/p>\n

Q: In your opinion, what\u2019s the most rewarding part about sewing your own DIY projects?<\/b><\/p>\n

A:<\/b> I think that the most rewarding part of sewing my own projects is the self-satisfaction of knowing that you can accomplish something that you’ve never done before, along with saving the money that you would have paid someone else to do it for you. And I can use my talent to help save my family money too!<\/span><\/p>\n

Now that I have the Sailrite machine, I am already using it to sew some new patio cushions. I am thrilled with it, and I can\u2019t wait to finish this project and use the machine on the next golf cart seat waiting in the wings. I even have plans to re-cover an armchair<\/a><\/strong><\/span> when I decide on the fabric I want. I\u2019ve been so inspired by your video tutorials and I truly believe: “I can do that!”\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Please keep the videos coming!<\/span><\/p>\n

\"IMG_7622\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Who We Are<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

Sailrite is your one-stop DIY shop! We are a passionate crew of do-it-yourselfers who strive to equip you with the supplies and how-to knowledge you need to tackle your next project. Do you want to learn upholstery, leatherwork, canvaswork, hobby sewing, bag making or more? We have the fabric, tools, hardware, sewing machines and notions you need to master any DIY. And even if you’ve never sewn before, our tutorials and how-to videos are designed for beginners and experienced crafters alike.<\/span><\/p>\n

Start your DIY journey today: www.sailrite.com<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

With a little help from Sailrite\u00ae and the Ultrafeed\u00ae Sewing Machine, Jan West felt like she could tackle just about any project. As an experienced sewist, she was no stranger to the world of DIY projects, and she was kind enough to share with us her most recent sewing successes. She is proof that there\u2019s … Continue reading Jan West: A Seasoned Sewist<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1478,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false}}},"categories":[9,7],"tags":[14,33,20,37,70,25],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blog.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Jan-West.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/padSoq-nN","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":1549,"url":"https:\/\/blog.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/marine\/diy-clothing-ultrafeed-sewing\/","url_meta":{"origin":1475,"position":0},"title":"Sailing Wife, Sewing Life","date":"July 10, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"At the age of 10, Bailey Heyman received her first sewing machine as a gift from her grandparents. What she didn\u2019t know was that this small gift would spark a lifelong passion that would change her life. Bailey is truly a Jill-of-all-trades, sewing everything she can get her hands on,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Hobby"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/IMG_A75BE89E1490-1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":1510,"url":"https:\/\/blog.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/home\/sewing-upholstery-ultrafeed\/","url_meta":{"origin":1475,"position":1},"title":"Sewing Upholstery With the Ultrafeed\u00ae","date":"June 29, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"All DIYers, whether they're a sewer, woodworker, crafter or other, have the same thing in common. They love the satisfaction they get from accomplishing a project on their own. Cory Springer is no different. She owns a small upholstery business in Virginia, and one of her favorite things about sewing\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Home"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/upholstery-collage.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":1094,"url":"https:\/\/blog.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/outdoor-living\/taking-diy-new-heights\/","url_meta":{"origin":1475,"position":2},"title":"Taking DIY to New Heights","date":"October 25, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"The possibilities of things you can make with a sewing machine are limitless! Sailrite\u00ae customer Gregory Palmquist had a fleeting idea to sew his own kites after he was underwhelmed by the selection of mass-produced kite kits. This seed of an idea has grown into a bigger hobby that has\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Hobby"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/kites-collage.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":2381,"url":"https:\/\/blog.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/outdoor-living\/ultrafeed-sewing-patio-enclosure\/","url_meta":{"origin":1475,"position":3},"title":"Creative Quarantine DIYs With the Ultrafeed\u00ae","date":"March 11, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"David Thiesmeyer isn't new to the DIY world. He tackled his first big sewing project \u2014 a mainsail cover for his sailboat \u2014 well over 10 years ago. He considers himself a \u201cDIY type of person\u201d and takes pride in sewing great projects. His most unique creation was not sailing-related\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Marine"","img":{"alt_text":"The enclosure project David made for his daughter's deck using Sailrite supplies.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/IMG_20201206_145837521-5fce955690aa8.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":713,"url":"https:\/\/blog.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/automotive-rv\/driven-to-sew\/","url_meta":{"origin":1475,"position":4},"title":"Driven to Sew: A Lifelong Hobby","date":"May 14, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"The DIY spirit can take any number of forms \u2014 there\u2019s no end to what you can create with the right supplies, a good idea and a little extra time on your hands. That\u2019s exactly the same mindset held by Sailrite\u00ae customer and long-time crafter Louis Cossey. Following his retirement\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Automotive\/RV"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/LouisCossey5-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":2163,"url":"https:\/\/blog.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/marine\/sewing-a-boat-dodger-ultrafeed\/","url_meta":{"origin":1475,"position":5},"title":"Dresses & Bags & \u2026 Boat Dodgers?! Oh My!","date":"October 15, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"When the time came to replace the dodger on Ellen Bell-Irving\u2019s 18-foot Maritime Skiff, she turned to her good friend of 30 years and fellow sewer, Pat Kane. Both women have a long history of sewing, but neither had tackled such a large marine project before. They put their heads\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Marine"","img":{"alt_text":"The inside and outside of the finished dodger","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/pjimage.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1475"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1475"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/blog.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1475\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2761,"href":"https:\/\/blog.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1475\/revisions\/2761"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1478"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1475"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1475"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1475"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}