{"id":2974,"date":"2024-07-01T11:15:05","date_gmt":"2024-07-01T15:15:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/?p=2974"},"modified":"2024-07-01T11:20:44","modified_gmt":"2024-07-01T15:20:44","slug":"diy-mini-shade-sails-ultrafeed-ls","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/outdoor-living\/diy-mini-shade-sails-ultrafeed-ls\/","title":{"rendered":"Sewing Shade With the Ultrafeed\u00ae LS"},"content":{"rendered":"

Imagine that you move to South Florida and buy a house with a large, screened-in patio. As you move in, you eagerly anticipate all the hours you\u2019ll spend relaxing on your new patio.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While arranging your patio chairs, you picture yourself lounging in one with your favorite beverage in hand, taking in the gorgeous view outside. You start planning cookouts as you set up your dining table \u2014 the screened walls and ceiling will protect everyone\u2019s plates from bugs while letting a nice breeze in. You can\u2019t wait for all these dreams to become reality!<\/span><\/p>\n

Finally, you get everything unpacked, and you\u2019re ready to enjoy your patio. The only problem? The summer sun in South Florida is much stronger than you bargained for. Bright, direct sunlight makes you squint, while a sky-high temperature makes the room almost too uncomfortable to use.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What would you do in this situation \u2014 grab your sunglasses and an ice-cold drink and try to make the best of things, or give up on using your patio altogether?<\/span><\/p>\n

Edward (Eddie) Galuska found himself in this situation in mid-2023. But instead of giving up or giving in, Eddie decided to fight back against the sweltering weather that was keeping him and his wife, Alice, from enjoying their patio to the fullest.<\/span><\/p>\n

With his innate knack for design, Eddie is no stranger to finding creative solutions for tough problems. But sometimes you find what you need when you\u2019re not looking for it. That\u2019s how Eddie found the Sailrite<\/span>\u00ae<\/span><\/sup> Ultrafeed<\/span>\u00ae<\/span><\/sup> LS \u2014 and the answer to his patio temperature conundrum.<\/span><\/p>\n

Starting to Sew With Sailrite<\/strong><\/h2>\n

When Eddie discovered Sailrite, he wasn\u2019t looking for help with the screened patio. In fact, he was researching for a completely different project.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was internet-surfing, trying to learn how to sew to make a repair on my golf cart using my wife\u2019s [home] machine,\u201d Eddie told us. \u201cWhile researching the web for ideas to make [the] repair, I found Sailrite.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Since he\u2019d never sewed before, Eddie\u2019s first stop on the Sailrite website was the <\/span>\u201cLearning to Sew\u201d video series<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span>.<\/span> \u201c[I] found this to be a very valuable resource,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n

The videos helped Eddie repair the golf cart\u2019s seat covers with his wife\u2019s home sewing machine. \u201cBy most standards [it] would have been acceptable,\u201d he said of the project. But the results of the repair simply didn\u2019t meet the retired engineer\u2019s higher standards.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWith me, my intuitive nature takes over and I push myself to seek perfection,\u201d Eddie told us. He said he \u201crealized the lighter-duty [machine] was not capable to complete [the] repair,\u201d but he didn\u2019t know where to turn next.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI knew I needed a heavy-duty machine \u2026 but did not want to spend a lot of money not knowing where my sewing future would bring me,\u201d he shared. That\u2019s perfectly reasonable. After all, it doesn\u2019t make sense to buy a heavy-duty sewing machine if you only plan to use it once.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

That was Eddie\u2019s thought \u2026 until he took a closer look at the sun-soaked screened porch and realized he could sew his way out of that problem too. \u201cI was looking at the frame design of the roof and a light bulb went off,\u201d he told us. \u201cI started to draw, and there it was.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"A
Eddie thought outside of the box by bringing his shade sails inside!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

During his sewing research, Eddie watched one of Sailrite\u2019s shade sail DIY videos. The screened porch needed a shade, but a full-size sail wasn\u2019t a practical solution. The sail would have fully covered the top of the patio on the outside, which would have blocked airflow from the screened ceiling.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Instead, he had the brilliant idea to build miniature shade sails for use inside the patio. \u201cNow I just [needed] the equipment, fabric and patience, not to mention the training,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Luckily, he knew where to turn. \u201cYour videos were the answer,\u201d he said of <\/span>Sailrite\u2019s vast library of free DIY content<\/span><\/a><\/span>. \u201cI reviewed every shade sail video.\u201d He also watched videos on installing zippers, piping and binding, as well as project videos that taught other useful skills for his indoor\/outdoor project.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sewing Up Some Shade<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The next step was to purchase the materials and tools he needed to make the mini shade sails. That included a heavy-duty sewing machine that was able to handle the project.<\/span><\/p>\n

After seeing the powerful Ultrafeed<\/span>\u00ae<\/span><\/sup> Sewing Machine at work in several of Sailrite\u2019s DIY videos, Eddie \u201ctook the plunge and bought the LS\u201d to make his shades. He also purchased Textilene<\/span>\u00ae<\/span><\/sup> Sunsure Vinyl Mesh Fabric, polyester webbing, grommets and turnbuckles, and other notions and accessories.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When his machine and materials arrived, Eddie started to get to know the LS by practicing the sewing techniques he\u2019d learned from videos. Then he jumped into his project, but it was slow going. \u201cMy first panel \u2026 really did not go as I had hoped,\u201d he confessed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Not one to back down from a challenge, Eddie paused his project and spent more time practicing basic techniques to give himself an edge for his next attempt at a shade panel. \u201cAfter about [a] week, [it] started to come together,\u201d he said of the remade panel. \u201cAnd I loved it.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

After recovering from his brief stumble, Eddie was off to the races. He got more comfortable with every stitch he sewed. \u201cMy LS has a personality,\u201d he said. \u201cIt makes sounds unfamiliar to me, but once understanding how [it] operates, [it] begins to understand me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"A
Eddie and his LS make the most of their available space with the Sailrite\u00ae<\/sup> Ultrafeed\u00ae<\/sup> Collapsible Sewing Table.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Eddie and his LS soon became an unstoppable team. \u201cI absolutely love my LS,\u201d he told us. \u201cI believe because it is more heavy duty, it can handle heavier fabrics in multiple layers and not [strain]. It also offers many accessories and functions not available on household machines. Particularly as my experience grows, I will not be limited.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He reported that others in his life are astounded at the results of his projects as well. \u201cMy wife watches with amazement at what I can do, as does my friend Mickey. … Even my wife (who sews) asks my advice about how to do some things.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The Engineer\u2019s Guide to Sewing<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Although sewing is new to him, Eddie is a longtime DIYer. \u201cI also do woodworking and cabinet carpentry,\u201d he said. \u201cThis is what probably gives me the desire to create beautiful work. I can look at a picture of something, study it and try to recreate it myself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

There\u2019s no doubt that his ability to recreate a project from a picture came in handy with his shade sails. A shade sail is normally a very large item that requires careful calculations and proper installation to get right. So, how did Eddie manage to shrink a sail down to fit in a house? With a little engineering, of course!<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI studied my project very closely prior to fabrication and tried to resolve problematic issues before building,\u201d he explained. \u201cThe symmetry of the panels had to be pleasing to look at, and the placement of the hardware had to be symmetrical as well to maintain a flow of uninterrupted lines when looking up. It had to look professional.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI studied the geometric shape between the frames and made inserts to go into each opening. It was really quite simple. The challenge was the fastening system and keeping everything symmetrical and in balance, and not making the inserts too small because of the area taken by the turnbuckles.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Patterning, sewing and installing the shade panel array took the better part of three weeks, and Eddie described the project as \u201cwell worth the effort.\u201d In fact, he shared that the shades turned out even better than he hoped they would.<\/span><\/p>\n

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<\/div>\n

\u201cThe shade is perfect,\u201d he said. Textilene Sunsure\u2019s impressive 91% shade factor easily lowers the sunlight and temperature inside the patio. Eddie also loves the sleek, modern appearance the panels give the screened-in porch.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But most importantly, the miniature shade sails have transformed the porch into the comfortable retreat he and Alice dreamed of. When we asked Eddie what he would do differently if he had to make the panels again, he said, \u201cI can honestly say I would not change anything.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Sharing the Shade<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The shade panels were such a success that Eddie couldn\u2019t wait to show them off to his friends and neighbors. Needless to say, he received a deluge of compliments! Some neighbors were so impressed that they enlisted him to make shades for their own patios. That included Eddie\u2019s friend Mickey, who had been trying to get the temperature on his own porch under control without success.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c[Mickey] had previously purchased prefab panels from [a hardware store] that did not fit correctly,\u201d Eddie explained. But with his newfound sewing skills and the confidence of making his own shade panels from scratch, he quickly came up with a solution. \u201cI recut and shaped the panels to fit, edged each panel with webbing and fastened with turnbuckles. [It] came out very cool.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Turnbuckles
Eddie paired strap eyes with small turnbuckles to tension and hang the shade sails.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Completing these projects inspired Eddie to keep sewing. \u201cI enjoyed [the shade sails] so much, I went on to make a bike rack and wiper covers for my [motorcoach],\u201d he told us. He even completely redid the golf cart seat covers he\u2019d repaired before he got the heavy-duty LS sewing machine. Naturally, Eddie got his materials and tools for these projects \u2014 including the \u201cmust have\u201d Edge Hotknife \u2014 from Sailrite.<\/span><\/p>\n

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<\/div>\n

The miniature shade sails also gave him the confidence to tackle a full-size installation. \u201cI am designing a system for our clubhouse pool area using large panels spanned from poles,\u201d he told us. \u201cI am trying to figure out [the] angle of [the] panels and overlap to get the best coverage.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Once he finishes that, he\u2019ll move onto the other projects on his DIY to-do list. That list includes motorcoach window and wheel covers, covers for his patio furniture and golf cart, and more.<\/span><\/p>\n

We wanted to know what keeps Eddie coming back to Sailrite for his DIYs. He said it was \u201cthe extensive video library, from very basic sewing techniques to much more advanced projects. The explanations along the way give reason for a particular approach in a somewhat nontechnical way. I also like the specific projects studied; you can almost find exactly what you want to do and follow the steps.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Eddie\u2019s Parting Advice<\/strong><\/h2>\n

We have a feeling that Eddie will return to Sailrite for guidance on his future projects. After all, careful research is an indispensable step in his personal sewing process. It\u2019s also a cornerstone of the advice that he shared for DIYers who want to make major modifications to an existing project, like he did with his miniature shade sails.<\/span><\/p>\n

He outlined his philosophy for us. \u201cAlways study the project first and lay out goals in a systematic order. Find videos which represent a similar representation of what [you are] trying to accomplish. Practice makes perfect, so spend time on scrap pieces on a small scale to develop a technique and learn the feel of your equipment.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We\u2019re certain that anyone who follows this advice can learn to modify any project to fit their needs like an expert engineer!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While learning to sew was the biggest challenge he faced on the road to making his shade sails, Eddie feels that taking the time to research and learn was entirely worth it. His newfound self-reliance is his favorite part of his sewing hobby. \u201c[I] do not have to wait for an overpriced contractor,\u201d he said. And now that he can sew almost anything himself, he\u2019s not stopping.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c[Sewing] turned out to be a great hobby and very rewarding,\u201d he told us. \u201cI love it; there are so many possibilities to expand on. \u2026 I love doing all sorts of things with my machine \u2026 I am constantly looking for things to make.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We here at Sailrite are thrilled that we could help you discover a new hobby and expand your creative possibilities, Eddie! Thank you for sharing your story of ingenuity and perseverance. We can\u2019t wait to see what you make next.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Who We Are<\/b><\/h2>\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\u2019ve 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: <\/span>www.sailrite.com<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Imagine that you move to South Florida and buy a house with a large, screened-in patio. As you move in, you eagerly anticipate all the hours you\u2019ll spend relaxing on your new patio.\u00a0 While arranging your patio chairs, you picture yourself lounging in one with your favorite beverage in hand, taking in the gorgeous view … Continue reading Sewing Shade With the Ultrafeed\u00ae LS<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":2982,"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":[7],"tags":[33,20,69,91,37,73],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blog.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/ed-9-1-scaled.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/padSoq-LY","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":2381,"url":"https:\/\/blog.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/outdoor-living\/ultrafeed-sewing-patio-enclosure\/","url_meta":{"origin":2974,"position":0},"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":1094,"url":"https:\/\/blog.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/outdoor-living\/taking-diy-new-heights\/","url_meta":{"origin":2974,"position":1},"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":908,"url":"https:\/\/blog.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/outdoor-living\/diy-awning\/","url_meta":{"origin":2974,"position":2},"title":"Outdoor Awnings: A Dream Home DIY","date":"August 16, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Debra Brown is well acquainted with the world of sewing, having started her first project as a teenager. But what began as a fun, sporadic hobby turned into necessity years later when Debra and her husband moved to Portland, Oregon, and purchased a beautiful Cape Cod home built in 1937.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Outdoor Living"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/image8.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":2675,"url":"https:\/\/blog.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/marine\/ultrafeed-sewing-kayak-dog-shade\/","url_meta":{"origin":2974,"position":3},"title":"DIY Sun Protection for Paddling Pooches","date":"January 3, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Kayaker Katrina Fairchild had to keep her dog cool while they were paddling together in a kayak. Read her story to see how a sewing machine and fabric from Sailrite helped Katrina make a genius product to protect her precious pup.","rel":"","context":"In "Marine"","img":{"alt_text":"A tent-shaped shade on the front of a kayak.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Katrina-paddling-scaled.jpg?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":2974,"position":4},"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":1475,"url":"https:\/\/blog.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/outdoor-living\/jan-west-home-sewing\/","url_meta":{"origin":2974,"position":5},"title":"Jan West: A Seasoned Sewist","date":"May 15, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"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.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Home"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Jan-West.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\/2974"}],"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=2974"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/blog.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2974\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2997,"href":"https:\/\/blog.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2974\/revisions\/2997"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2982"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2974"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2974"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2974"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}