{"id":2675,"date":"2023-01-03T09:00:20","date_gmt":"2023-01-03T14:00:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/?p=2675"},"modified":"2023-01-06T12:14:05","modified_gmt":"2023-01-06T17:14:05","slug":"ultrafeed-sewing-kayak-dog-shade","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/marine\/ultrafeed-sewing-kayak-dog-shade\/","title":{"rendered":"DIY Sun Protection for Paddling Pooches"},"content":{"rendered":"
You\u2019ve probably heard someone use the saying, \u201cthe dog days of summer,\u201d to talk about the hottest and most humid days of the year. But did you know that this phrase originated in Ancient Rome?<\/p>\n
You see, the astronomers of the time noticed that the sweltering weather coincided with the period that the star Sirius, also called the \u201cdog star,\u201d was visible in the night sky. The astronomers thought that Sirius was adding its heat to the sun\u2019s to make the days hotter. They started calling this period \u201cthe dog days of summer\u201d after the dog star, and the nickname stuck.<\/p>\n
Today, this phrase usually refers to a period from early July to early August, when temperatures tend to skyrocket in the Northern Hemisphere. And the heat doesn’t just bother humans. Our dogs are just as vulnerable \u2014 if not more so \u2014 because of their higher body temperatures and fur coats.<\/p>\n
Sailrite customer and small-business owner Katrina Fairchild frequently ran into this problem in 2017 when taking her therapy dog, Harley, kayaking with her. A sweet Shih Tzu, Harley is the perfect size to sit on the bow of Katrina\u2019s kayak and take in the sights and smells of the outdoors while Katrina paddles.<\/p>\nOn or off the kayak, Harley loves exploring the outdoors.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
But while Katrina could paddle for hours under the hot sun thanks to hats, sunglasses and sunscreen, Harley didn\u2019t have much fun on these excursions. Katrina told us more: \u201c[Harley] and I are pretty much inseparable. [He] is with me in stores, hotels, in the car (unless it\u2019s too hot), restaurants, hiking, biking and on the water. He\u2019s very tolerant of most things except one: the sun.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sitting on the bow of Katrina\u2019s kayak, Harley had nowhere to hide from direct sunlight or high temperatures. \u201cHarley would display discomfort by constant agitation after just a short time on the water,\u201d Katrina said. \u201cHe panted like he\u2019d just run around in the sun. Even if I poured water on him or dipped him in the river, he still couldn\u2019t relax.\u201d<\/p>\n
Harley\u2019s discomfort was contagious. \u201cThis intolerance of getting too much sun and its reflection off the water while kayaking prevented me from enjoying my relaxing time paddling. I had to rush back to shore too soon,\u201d Katrina said. \u201cI also had to fix this problem.\u201d<\/p>\n
As the saying goes, necessity is the mother of invention. Katrina needed to make sure that Harley was safe so she could enjoy her time outdoors. She was proud to tell us that she did indeed fix the problem \u2014 with help from Sailrite\u00ae and the Ultrafeed\u00ae LS Sewing Machine.<\/p>\n
Inventing the WoofShade\u00ae<\/h2>\n
So, how did Katrina address the issue of taking a dog kayaking in high heat? \u201c[In 2017], I developed a prototype of what became [the] WoofShade.\u201d<\/p>\n
What\u2019s a WoofShade? It\u2019s Katrina\u2019s invention to protect paddling pups like Harley from excessive heat and direct sunlight. It\u2019s a portable, dog-sized shade \u2014 the first shade designed to attach to paddle-powered watercraft like kayaks.<\/p>\n
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Katrina told us more about developing the WoofShade. \u201cI went through about three months and two prototypes of design and testing. Deciding on the shape was probably the most challenging.\u201d<\/p>\n
At the end of the prototyping, she had settled on a large-diameter circle with flexible internal wires that allow the shade to bend. When attached to the front of a kayak, canoe or paddleboard, the shade becomes a self-supporting tent that perfectly accommodates small- to medium-sized dogs without blocking the paddler\u2019s view of the water in front of them.<\/p>\n
But size wasn\u2019t the only consideration. Katrina also had to find the perfect fabric. \u201cI needed a high-quality, marine-grade, perforated mesh material that was see-through and provided ventilation for the dog,\u201d she said. She didn\u2019t have too far to look to find exactly what she wanted. \u201cOnce I saw a sample of the Phifertex\u00ae [Standard Vinyl Mesh Fabric], it was a no-brainer.\u201d<\/p>\n
The fabric, which has a 70% shade factor and good breathability, is ideal for applications that get heavy use outdoors. The fabric is also easy to sew \u2014 a helpful feature since Katrina hadn’t sewn for quite some time.<\/p>\n
\u201cI learned to sew in the \u201970s as a child on my mother\u2019s [home] sewing machine, which I still have,\u201d she told us. \u201cI was motivated by wanting more clothes for my Barbie\u00ae dolls.\u201d<\/p>\n
Once her dolls had full wardrobes, however, Katrina didn\u2019t do much sewing until she started prototyping the WoofShade in 2017. In fact, she sewed the prototypes on the same machine her mother taught her to sew on years earlier.<\/p>\n
Although she had to relearn how to sew after decades and her home machine wasn\u2019t quite strong enough for the job, Katrina\u2019s determination to keep Harley safe kept her going. She eventually finished a usable prototype and wasted no time seeing if Harley liked it.<\/p>\n
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\u201cAs soon as I used my first prototype, [Harley] was able to relax enough to sleep for almost the entire duration of the kayak trip. This, in turn, made my paddling much more enjoyable because I knew Harley was comfortable and safe,\u201d Katrina shared. Now, \u201che is eager to get in the boat and gets situated quickly in his usual position under the shade.\u201d<\/p>\n
Manufacturing WoofShades With the Ultrafeed LS<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Thanks to Katrina, Harley isn\u2019t the only lucky dog to have a personal shade. \u201cOnce I realized how many other paddlers are accompanied by their dogs, I then decided to market [the WoofShade].\u201d She built a website and an Etsy shop to share her pup-protecting product with the world. Other dog-owning paddlers loved the idea, and Katrina started receiving orders right away.<\/p>\n
But filling those orders wasn\u2019t an easy task. Her home machine didn\u2019t have the power to consistently sew the tough materials that the WoofShade called for.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor the first few years I battled with my [home sewing machine] to make her work for high-demanding, thick material, but she kept fighting back and won. \u2026 I was wasting too much time and churning out too many expletives,\u201d Katrina laughed. \u201cI knew I had to get the right machine for the job.\u201d<\/p>\n
The right machine turned out to be the Sailrite Ultrafeed LS. Katrina discovered Sailrite while researching her options for heavy-duty machines.<\/p>\n
\u201cSailrite kept popping up as I looked at different companies and products,\u201d she said. Her research and testimonials from other Ultrafeed owners convinced her that the LS was the best machine for her needs.<\/p>\n
\u201cI trusted Sailrite to sell the right, high-quality, semi-heavy-duty machine that I noticed a lot of hobbyists and small business owners were using. And it wasn\u2019t too expensive,\u201d Katrina told us. She purchased her LS in 2020 and has been happily using it to run her small business ever since.<\/p>\n
The Ultrafeed turned out to be a wise investment. \u201c[My LS] has elevated my sewing abilities and skills. It never lets me down \u2014 it\u2019s a workhorse,\u201d Katrina said.<\/p>\nThe LS makes it easy for Katrina to sew Phifertex shade material.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
She\u2019s also found Sailrite to be a reliable supplier of the Phifertex shade material she uses, and a few Sailrite tools have made their way into her sewing room. But while it\u2019s \u201cfun and inspiring to look at all the supplies and parts that Sailrite sells\u201d and pick out a new tool now and again, deep inventory isn\u2019t the only thing that keeps Katrina coming back.<\/p>\n
When we asked what Katrina likes so much about Sailrite, she said this: \u201cQuality and excellent customer service. Over the years I\u2019ve needed help \u2026 Sailrite has yet to let me down.\u201d<\/p>\n
In particular, Katrina mentioned that she loved Sailrite\u2019s videos on setting up and using an Ultrafeed. \u201cNot only is there a video for just about everything I needed to know, but each is well done and informative,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
More Time for Outdoor Exploration<\/strong><\/h2>\n
After Katrina purchased her LS and watched several Sailrite videos to get up and running, making the WoofShade not only became easier, but quicker too \u2014 which was exactly what she wanted.<\/p>\n
\u201cI run this company part time,\u201d she told us. \u201c[The WoofShade] has proven to be a seasonal product, which I don\u2019t mind because I enjoy doing so many other things.\u201d<\/p>\n
As we\u2019ve already seen, Katrina especially loves being outdoors. Her goal is to get outside every day. \u201cAnything in nature is my happy place,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Among her other outdoor hobbies are \u201chiking, biking [and] walking.\u201d She also told us that crafts and painting make her happy, especially when she can incorporate interesting natural items into her artwork.<\/p>\nKatrina used real branches to give this bird painting a 3D effect.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
In addition to land-based outdoor activities, Katrina has experience with other types of boating besides kayaking. She\u2019s dabbled in waterskiing and using powered watercraft, but those didn\u2019t catch her attention as much as using paddle-powered boats.<\/p>\n
\u201cPaddling has become my absolute favorite because the boats are quiet, easily transportable and allow me to connect with the feel of water that I love,\u201d she shared. \u201cKayaks are especially my favorite because I\u2019m closer and more a part of the water than in a canoe.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her preference for kayaks over canoes has a humorous origin. \u201cMy first experience with paddling was 32 years ago when my then-boyfriend rented a two-person canoe to paddle the Buffalo River in Arkansas. We dumped with the first Class II rapids, cursed at each other, got married and then bought separate kayaks,\u201d Katrina laughed.<\/p>\n
While her home state of South Carolina offers waterways to paddle, Katrina prefers to travel a bit farther for kayaking adventures. \u201cI \u2026 go out of state because I don\u2019t find that South Carolina offers enough of the kind of paddling I like, which is quiet lakes or Class I rivers. I go to North Carolina quite a lot, but recently went all the way up to the Adirondacks in New York.\u201d<\/p>\n
Of course, Harley goes with Katrina and her husband on these out-of-state adventures. And a new addition to their little family will soon be going with them. \u201cI have recently adopted a rescue puppy that is half German Shepherd,\u201d she told us.<\/p>\nKatrina’s adorable rescue puppy, Sky.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
The puppy, appropriately named Sky by her nature-loving parents, has some skills to master before she\u2019ll be ready for long outdoor excursions. \u201cWe\u2019re working on the proper hiking etiquette,\u201d Katrina said. \u201cAs soon as [Sky] learns to behave, I\u2019ll be teaching her to trot alongside my bike.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sky will also have to learn how to be on the water before she can go paddling. \u201cI need to get her on a boat sooner than later. The rocking motion is probably the scariest to overcome,\u201d Katrina said.<\/p>\n
Sky will be much larger than a Shih Tzu when fully grown, so a sit-on-top kayak won\u2019t be the best option for her. Katrina will have to expand her fleet of watercraft to accommodate Sky. \u201cYes, I will be buying a canoe,\u201d she laughed.<\/p>\n
Having a larger dog will mean a larger boat for Katrina \u2026 but could it also mean a larger WoofShade? Many other paddlers have requested a shade that can cover large dogs, and Katrina says that is the biggest challenge she\u2019s faced with her invention to date.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve tried to accommodate the large-dog-breed owners\u2019 request for a taller WoofShade. However, a taller shade \u2026 will impede the line of sight of the paddler,\u201d she shared. \u201cAfter a multitude of prototypes, we have found that the best way to take your large or tall dog paddling is in a canoe, in which case our current single-size WoofShade will provide the dog coverage without obstructing the paddler\u2019s view.\u201d<\/p>\n
This makes sense. Large dogs will have plenty of space under the shade if they sit down inside of a canoe rather than on top of a kayak. Still, we have a feeling that Katrina\u2019s love of innovation will lead her to a kayak-friendly shade for large dogs eventually.<\/p>\n
Katrina\u2019s Parting Advice for DIYers<\/strong><\/h2>\n
After all, Katrina loves coming up with new ideas. She told us that the \u201cconstant challenge to [her] mind\u201d is her favorite part of her DIY lifestyle. \u201cI hate being bored, so I\u2019m always coming up with small and large projects to keep me motivated and stimulated,\u201d she said. Whether it\u2019s painting, sewing or collecting eye-catching nature finds, Katrina always has a project going \u2014 and plenty of inspiration for her next one.<\/p>\n
She had a lot to say about ideas, including how to make an idea like the WoofShade into a real product. It\u2019s great advice for any DIYer who isn\u2019t sure where to start making their own product concept come to life.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve had many ideas over the years, but they were just that \u2014 ideas. It wasn\u2019t until I did an actual prototype, which I used many times, that the idea became reality.\u201d That\u2019s a great roadmap for creating a new product. Start with a prototype of your idea, test it thoroughly and work out problems in the design along the way.<\/p>\n
Once you\u2019re ready to share your design with the world, what then? Katrina had advice on launching a small business too. \u201cLike many other small-business owners will say, start small and think big. At first, keep it small and manageable. Keep your day job. If it\u2019s still fun, or at least pleasing to do, then consider growing it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Katrina has hit on a fundamental aspect of a successful DIY lifestyle or career: If you enjoy what you\u2019re doing and you feel the level of work is manageable, you\u2019ll be able to enjoy your creative hobby or business over the long run. Katrina would know: She\u2019s been happily running her small business part time since 2017.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s sometimes hard to believe that I\u2019m still making WoofShades after almost six years,\u201d she said. \u201cAt one point I temporarily closed my shop, but the demand kept coming so I reopened it. I continue to make them because of this: If there are still dog owners who care enough to protect their paddling pets, then I will continue to help and sell WoofShades.\u201d<\/p>\n
We love that sentiment, Katrina, and we\u2019re happy that your small business fits into your active lifestyle so well! Sailrite is proud to provide you with the tools and materials you need to help keep dogs like Harley and Sky safe and comfortable outdoors. We wish you all the best for many more years of DIY innovation and outdoor adventure!<\/p>\n
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Who We Are<\/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.<\/p>\n
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