Week of May 21st

        So I have been using the sewing machine and have done lots of practice.  Just doing small things building my skills with stitching various stitches, measuring and cutting, working with the materials for the goal project.  I found that the mesh you see in the second picture I planned on using as the back of the cushion isnt going to work. It is a rubbery thick material that binds up in the machine.  Although some of the small things I made with it turned out ok, taking it to the larger size didn't work at all.  So in the pictures you see in the fore ground a cooler cushion used a seat on the boat.  I reproduced this with a vinyl and mesh I got at Joann fabrics.  They actually carry a better quality vinyl (rated for marine use), but I found a better material online for a better price.  The mesh I found online too that is more like the target mesh, not rubbery but a smoother thin material.   The hard parts with this is attaching the boxing and the zipper. The boxing is the vertical band (2") that runs around the 4 sides of the cushion. I finally figured it out on some smaller test pieces.  The zipper was tough in that the material (rubber mesh) gets doubled up and it was almost impossible to move through it.  I got it, but it told me this isn't the right material for this job.  Obviously it isn't finished without adding the foam.  That is also something I'm going to need for the big job, so I need to do some more research and find the appropriate material.  

The second item I actually made is using nylon webbing that I will need on the goal project to hold the cushions in place on the boat.  This is an "Easy Walk" harness.  We have these for the dogs.  Actually we have one now that Chance ate his, but we use Chase's on him when we take him alone, because it works pretty well.  The real one has 4 adjustments to accommodate a range of dog sizes.  This new one is custom sized for Chance (but can fit Chase).  It has one adjustment to handle girth changes (weigh and hair).  Also you see the color a mil-spec khaki color which is a better look for him considering the store bought one is pink... I am also making another one for Chase, olive drab green to match her leash. I got all the webbing, stainless hardware and buckles from Strapworks (great prices).  

So far I've accomplished: 

Getting all the tools (machine, scissors, seam ripper, various measuring and marking items, etc) 

Learning how to use the machine (basics, threading, bobbin winding). 

Needle and thread size as well as which to use in the target materials  

How to sew a zipper

How to make a box cushion

Sewing nylon strapping

Researched all the materials and choose them (except foam)

found vendors for the materials 

As of this week I ordered all the fabric to make the caoming pads.  I am tempted to get a quote from a boat interior shop on how much they would charge.  As seen on some of my earlier posts it is never cheaper to do it yourself, but some times it is worth it (if you know what I mean).  

In other news I actually went fishing for the first time last weekend.  I caught lots of little ones, but it was a good start.

Also took a look at this bike, I need something a little more comfortable in my old age.

CB-1000R