I have a question for people who primarily do slipcovers:

It's time for my yearly membership dues to Window Coverings Association of America (WCAA) - $85 for national (I think local is $40). I've been a member for exactly one year; I've attended ONE meeting (and that was as a guest, before I even joined) and ONE event (New England Table-Top Show, last summer). My membership guesstimate, based on that one meeting, is half workroom, half designer. Meetings are monthly: dinner at a restaurant, followed by old business/new business, then a presentation of some kind.

My question is... is it worth it? Do I really need to be a member to gain market exposure? (my schedule hasn't changed, so I don't expect to be attending too many meetings again).

I would really appreciate any opinions. I'm leaning toward not renewing the membership - can anyone convince me otherwise?

Thanks so much.

Shirley - still looking through website. First impression is very good. How picky should I be? Fast-n-dirty? Where's-the-microscope?

Dede

there's a tickle my brain brief summary of what the muslin class will tell you over there ~ over there ~ over there ~ listed as " class to be offered if interest is shown ". The class is a summit class, and it's the only class I am officially scheduled to teach.

The errollment will deturmine if my plane ticket is affordable.

Not to load on guilt, but we'd be choosing in the dark if this isn't a known quantity.

If it isn't an interesting enough topic, write your "must be answered" questions down and sign up, we will honor that as content.

I know it is next week and I still don't have the photo's posted. I am sooo sorry.

The Slipcover Press was where I would post them first and our graphics guy's computer is down. Can anything else happen????

Tamales.... who has tamales??? Do you think Alicia will have Tamales at the Summit?

Thanks Dee for letting us know this.

So does anyone want to share the color you wanted to get? What color was it?

Please be advised: Design Source NO LONGER offers Z-Tex cut yardage, only full bolts (which are available directly from Z-Tex).

Karen,

1. Do you still have the name of the Z-Tex jobber in Tennessee you mentioned?

2. Do you plan to post the photos you took at Baltimore? I'd love to see them!

Thanks! :-)

Design Source
Jackson, Mississippi 39047
601-992-2424
WandaBurns@bellsouth.net

Tell her you are in the trade and will be selling this fabric to a customer. Let her know I sent you. Hopefully she will give you a good price.

I hope to post photos of Baltimore.... I only got back on Monday after being gone 2 weeks and am teaching a class tomorrow. A girl does need her beauty sleep. Hope to post photos next week.

Thanks Dee for asking...

Shirley - howzabout we mail each other cheesecake and tamales and THINK about slipcovers?

Hey, it could work! - why are you all looking at me like that?

Karen,

1. Do you still have the name of the Z-Tex jobber in Tennessee you mentioned?

2. Do you plan to post the photos you took at Baltimore? I'd love to see them!

Thanks! :-)

Now to just find really cheap fares from Portland Oregon to D.C....

announcing a once a month slipcover meeting here ( and elsewhere if needed ).


Meet, grouse, eat tamales, use my new ebay sewing machines ( rationalize their existence ).

I can make space for your projects, bring portable ones, bring what you have trouble with. Once a month, I don't care what day. Let's figure out what's convenient.

just got a sewing machine vintage 50's looking unused, 9.99 on ebay. What can you lose, even if you ever only sew monfilament on it ?

Welcome Judit, as you may have noted I too, finally made the Blog Site with the help of Karen when we got back to St. Louis, she figured out why many of us were having trouble.

I too enjoyed the tamales, good I don't get together with you all every week, I wouldn't be able to walk, with all the good food we enjoyed on the East coast.

You all have a great day, DJ

Judit, I talked to someone recently that had purchased and used in an upholstery application the kind of foam that recovers afterwards... right now I cannot at all remember the name of it, but I think everyone should know what I'm talking about. Lots of mattresses right now are popular with this type of stuff in it. The foam supplier I use ~ Carl Havens ~ carries it in sheets of varying thicknesses.

Shirley, please share with all your ebay finds. I'm a convert myself. My standard shoe shopping habits are to try on what I like, determine size, and find on ebay. And the fabric finds? Wow, have I saved massive amounts of money for myself as well as clients.

duh ! the foam I have seen when I do see upholstery in progress is 1 inch ir maybe 1 and 1/2 dense. Cotton is laid over this is thick wads. That's conventional, and nothing need be, conventional that is. That board there is pretty hard, so even a padded down surface of dense material is better than too little. Come here for the first time and ask upholstery, heh ?.

I am wearing tamales this week. Can't believe it all goes to my waistline. There should be a limit to what fat cells can hold, you know ? Anybody wanna know all I found on ebay ? Or should I keep my newest bad behgavior to myself ?

Hi Karen, and all the gals out there I have met and will meet... finally made it ...who knew it took rocket science to sign in.... or probably a rocket scientist to do it.... the brain must have been in rest mode on my part.

Enjoyed every old and new friend..... tamales were a definite plus..
Felt like I ate the whole thing.... yum yum....

Enjoyed discussion with you Karen on the books with slips... it is an interesting exersize to take and see how another person saw a piece of furniture and their rendition of a cover.... then to try and figure out the rhyme and reasons for their choices.

working on wedding gown at the moment....for a wedding at the first weekend of May. Definetely more work and stress than a slipcover...
and the measurements are changing daily... Client is in the process of loosing weight.....

I am also taking apart my own sofa sleeper and redoing the arms on it before I will make a new slipcover for it.
Karen or Shirley or anyone out there.... suggestions for type of foam to use on the arms.... I think Shirley said bolster style but what kind of density to it will hold up under a lot of weight of feet and sitting on it.

Also nursing a case of either allergies or possibly bronchitis.....not much fun.

talk to all later

glad to have made it in the blog finally.

You would not need to mentor with someone in you area either.

It would be a growing experience for the person who mentors also as there will be questions that will be asked that you may not know the answer too.

That is whay there is the Slipcover Network professionals who do slipcovers as a business.

you know me, I volunteer for everything

Mentors.

If we orangized this though the Slipcover Network who would participate?

We are experienced and I think this would be a great idea

Kim can some of you talk up sharing rooms at the Summit on some of the other forums....

Does anyone belong to the upholstery forum????

So for those of you who wanted to know more about the small furniture, we picked it up at garage sales..... but Claudia in Arizona sells this furniture....

Check her out at....
SewWhat-Its-A-Slipcover
Peoria, Arizona 85381
623-878-7350
Happy to pick up and deliver throughout the valley.
www.Sew-Whats-a-Slipcover.com
SewWhatAZ@aol.com

Yes, I was told at the show in Baltimore that Surefit filed chapter 11.... But if they are private it may not be available to any of us...

that is what I heard.... Thanks Kim

And read this just for giggles.... as if we didn't already know!!!

http://www.rnews.com/Story.cfm?ID=17369&rnews_story_type=7

Usually when a company goes into bankruptcy protection there is something about it on their web site... if for no other reason than to assure the reader of the imminent turn-around of the business to boost buyer morale. Interestingly enough, there is NOTHING at all on their site relating to their financial standing. Or lack thereof. It is a privately held company so there is no other source for financial data.

Sure Fit, Inc.
04-11495 (BRL)
United States Bankruptcy Court
Southern District of New York

http://www.keepmedia.com/ShowItemDetails.do?itemID=396608&extID=10030&oliID=226

http://www3.lehigh.edu/News/news_story.asp?iNewsID=653&strBack=%2Fnews%2Fnews_archive.asp%3FiStoryType%3D15


Interesting.

Didn't someone say Sure-Fit filed for bankruptcy protection? I can't find anything about it.

Donna - you're "DJ"? Who's "CJ"?

Elena Marie (Dede) O'Hair, who has name issues of her own...

Kim Kim where are you?????

hey there ! Gerry got home last night. I was standing at the carosel for 45 minutes while his plane was on the tarmac, and saw an old friend I hadn't seen in decades. Turns out her husband and mine had made the trip together and didn't know we knew one another.

Hey Donna it is great to have you join us.

always
K

Trying out this.... I am finally on....

Yeepie


Hi Shirley....
What's going on in VA>

DJ

hooray!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Calico ( my locals ) just raised slipcover prices considerably. Check out your local Calico's.


What this means : stores here can no longer assume that the sewing is done by unskilled labor and perhaps labor of questionable status. The work was prices so low before it wouldn't pay minimum wage.

What this also means : you can ask for and receive ( demand, please ) individual consideration for your plan, when you buy. Ask for, and expect to be included in the planning. This new price covers the ability to ask for details personal to you, not just a cookie cutter slipcover. You will be paying for it, yes. Ask for the best, and the best is your plan, not someone else's.

Thank you to all....

Without you it would not have been possible................

Dede, Susan, Cat, Rose, Judith, Shirley, Donna, Alicia, and CJ.....

For those who didn't make it to Shirley's afterward the Tamales were great for the PJ Party. We were soooo tired we did not talk about washing fabrics that will be left for another time. Maybe the Summit....

So is everyone signed up for the Summit?????
'

Made it home safely! I love you guys! Kim - I can't wait to see you in Colorado! :) TAMALES RULE!!!

I'm going to bed now...

hello KIM, Dede is here !!

Hi Kim - it's me! :D :D :D

Hello Kim and anyone else reading....

We miss you all, and wish you were here in Baltimore.

Kim do you have the design for shirts so we can see it???

Let me know
K

we are all here, pictures coming soon. Our events are fun, supportive of all newcomers, fun, informational, fun, food filled, fun, and very informal. www.picturetrail.com/slipcoverlady soon.

TAMALES? YOU ARE HAVING TAMALES? That is almost enough to make me skip the graduation in San Diego... for that matter, my male child would ALSO rather be eating tamales than going through the graduation...

I love love love tamales...

But... I get to spend the whole day with my kid at Six Flags Magic Mountain on Saturday. How much better could it be?

Shirley: I'll call you tomorrow (Wednesday). My flight arrives 8:05am (Friday), so I'll be looking for a shuttle sometime after that.

Kim: We'll really miss you. :(

Kim, we will miss you too ( all the while eating our tamales, to sweat off at a later date ).

Dee, Karen wants to talk to you about the shuttle from the airport. Yellow bus, lower level, convention center transpo. Call me on the house phone I gave you.

I am so envious of everyone getting to hang out at Shirley's place... I'll be in San Diego for my son's college graduation. Hopefully sweating off the pounds.

Maybe next year....

It will be the Window Fashions show in Atlanta and Dee the shows are never the same. Similar but never the same....

Hopefully they will want us to exhibit again there.

Karen, is Atlanta next years' location for the same show? Or something else entirely?

Yes, I was in NH,,, for 5 days. It was a great experience and I meet a lot of wonderful people.

The booth in Baltimore is through the Slipcover Network. We pay for the booth by doing a class at the show. We meaning myself, and Alicia will be teaching a class to pay for the booth.

This give others an opportunity to learn about Slipcovers. Others meaning designers, decorators and other folks who are making slipcovers for a living or would like to add this onto what else they are already doing.

The Slipcover Network organizes the opportunity for other Slipcover pros to come and pass out business cards and talk about slipcovers. It also is a great networking time for all of us in the business.

Next year we are hoping to be in Atlanta 14,15,16 2005, if they ask us back.

Karen, before I get forget to ask (again)... Is our table at Baltimore sponsored by Slipcover America or Slipcover Network?

Karen, was that the Portsmouth, NH class? I would like to have come (I'm "only" two hours away), but you'll have to wait until Friday to see my lovely face... :D

No, I will not be attending the reception on Thursday night. Save me some punch, okay?

Wow I am ready for some time off from teaching folks about Slipcovers.

On my way home from New Hampshire. Meet a lot of really nice people and hope I enlightened them some.

It will be good to relax in Baltimore with friends and associates.

Who will be there Thursday night, we are invited to a reception?????

a week went by ( and it didn't fly ! )

embroidering slipcovers here in Baton Rouge.

home monday ( preparing to explain all the ebay boxes arriving )

silence, must be spring. ????????? Getting the last of work delivered or ready to be sewn when I return from Louisianna. Did I spell that right ?

Seeing Judet, she's coming back here with me, same plane ( handcuffs, blindfold ).

Met Paul Carter, finally, yesterday. Very gentlemanly, very young (as men who do this work are usually not ). Asked him to come to Baltimore and bring his work and business cards, we need guys too.

Leaving next wed, will be available none the less by usual means.

if you need it this moment and Dede isn't around, it's O'Hair

Legal name: Elena M. O'Hair
Name I actually use: Dede O'Hair

No classes, just a floor bum. :)

If someone looked at these post all they would think we do is eat and drink. What about slipcovers????

Dee I need the correct spelling of your name for badges in Baltimore....

What name do you want us to use? Are you taking classes or just being on the show floor???

K

hypnotize him, and get the recipe.

Meanwhile, anyone know a web source of huge rick rack ?

My husband has perfected his guamamole recipe - wish I could bring some... Must be served fresh, and I don't think I can duplicate it on site. :(

absolutely. Creme de mexico and american versions, absolutely.

Mmm... tamales... Will sour cream be available?

[signed] Dede, whose thighs attest to her love of sour cream...

everybody's quiet. The more I sew the more I talk ( because I didn't make it out the door to go shopping ).

Everybody coming to the P J party like Tamales ? There's a few bennies to having mexican in laws. ( I never turn down a tamales)

anyone read the disguise article in feb sew what ? there's some editing snafus that actually reversed what I said. The color thing is a major major issue in understanding behaviors of slipcovers.

Shirley, I hope the loveseat won't be too distracting because I would love to see it.

the love seat ( the one heavy piece ) is important to me because it can be sat in. Ordinarily you wouldn't want that to happen in a booth, but I arranged for two covers for this piece, alike fabric, identical fit, one black red white vivid print, and one green plain solid, to illustrate how color disguise affects the appearance of wear behavior. ( wrinkles show sooner, with fewer plops on unpatterned fabrics )

It's a mini version of the class that chf didn't accept a proposal for ( for the conference ) . I think it will be fun. I would understand if you thought this was too much distracting activity.

Gerry is out of here ( on his trip ) already by monday, and Judet will already be here. Anytime you get here is fine. I am going to have to make up samples in advance, so I will make up the love seat anyway.

Hello Shirley...

Donna and I will be arriving on Tuesday. Alicia and I are teaching a class on Wednesday to pay for the booth in Baltimore, so we need to be ready to go on Tuesday night and will have to go into Baltimore early Wednesday morning.

That means we have to have all the stuff ready to be taken to Baltimore on Wednesday and loaded through the dock on Wednesday afternoon for set up.

We were charged for pallets of total weight... miminum payment $200 plus. So of course the lease amount of weight possible is good.

Can't sleep in St Louis

I have skinny hair !

Although I won't be in Baltimore to help set up, I'll be happy to lend my skinny girly arms* to the removal effort on Saturday.

*please note there is nothing else attached to my body that is remotely skinny...

just to clarify...............when the bill for the union is figured up, was it not by # of carts ? I only have one furniture piece that requires any heavy breathing to lift, it's a childs love seat, all else is very light. Are you coming in before wed ? I still need to know to make it up sooner than that anyway. That was my main piece for details.

Yeow....

There are so many possibilities...

Just make sure whatever you bring the furniture is light weight. As we have to pay for pounds being taken in on the floor at Baltimore.

Our booth is only 10X20 so we have space but not too much. Variety of furniture is best.

Yes we want the PJ party to be washing fabric.... I am so involved with everything going on right now that I have not been able to respond, sorry...

K

having the time of my life ( not ). Sewing cushions on sunday night.

Banging my head about what to do that's new on slipcovers for the show.


Question: when you'd want to do a invisible zipper on the outside back, and you'd decide where to put it relative to the back corner, would you rather see it as near to the corner as you can get it or perhaps in naturally occuring seam ? What if it's a chair ?


How would you have that zipper intersect the skirt ( or would you ) and how to treat the inside flap of kick pleat if it does intersect ? Velcro the loose flap ?

For suggestions as to how to send or bring samples : others have successfully " slipcovered " boxes to represent furniture, as side tables and trash cans. If you have an ottoman cover to mail I can make the box.

Anyone see any new skirts lately or should I cook up a kooky one ?

To make use of what I have, to make it useful for me here ( with kids ) and to have some theme going on that shows what I like to do most, I have washables to sew.

I have a print, Bloomcraft, black background, white and pink tropical flower on barkcloth that I will steam heavily but not pre-wash.

Picked up a beautiful matlasse when Susan and I met thursday, I want to make something I can use later?? still have not yet decided, maybe a table skirt. I will test wash it, and save pices for the pj party. I am not hearing anything about anyone wanting washing to be the topic. Is another topic more desireable ?

I want to re-find ( forget where I saw it ) bright pink carnation color tussah. Still wish I knew where to get it other than Lady Ann or at retail. Anyone ?

each square is larger than the foot print of many " McMansions ". 50 by 50 feet. That's why they zip into four equal quarters.

fund raiser at a special ed school ( very pricey, private, except D C kids go there free if needed )

Re: Tent photos

WOW!!! If you haven't seen this thing, the sheer volume of fabric will blow you away... Shirley, what was the purpose again?

anybody want tent pictures ?

Ill reserve for two today, though I have no idea who the second person would be.

"They told us May 1st.... and promised to hold the rooms till then."

Sorry, Karen - the deal they gave you was sooo good, they simply cannot afford to continue it much longer (and definitely not until May 1st). At least 2 major events will be competing for hotel rooms that week... at full price.

I promised Ashley I would spread the word.

Hi all.....

The show in Atlanta was beyond belief. I wish you all could have been there. My classes were 120 each day. I have never talked so much in my life.

I am so excited about Baltimore and seeing all of you who are participating. Shirley thanks so much for helping out with this. You are wonderful. I just can't do it all.

I am so tired and we are off to Cleveland tomorrow Tuesday. Snow is not what we were wanting..... :(

Anyway folks need to know about the hotel situation, so can you spread the word. They told us May 1st.... and promised to hold the rooms till then.

Thanks all ...

Make reservations for 2004 Summit - NOW!

Ft. Collins Best Western University Inn is getting ready to close out the reservation period for the Summit. They are getting calls for that time block, and cannot justify keeping it open for us for much longer - this will be done BEFORE May 1st with NO WARNING!

Karen secured FANTASTIC rates for us! Queen- and King-sized rooms - same price: $70.00 for one; $76.00 for two TOGETHER! (that's right - share a King-sized room for $38.00 a night during an EXTREMELY tight period). If you don't make reservations NOW you will NOT have a room ANYWHERE in town! If you're still not sure if you're going, please make the reservation anyway - you can cancel up to the day before with no penalty.

Ask for Ashley (Assistant Manager): 1-970-484-1984. Have your credit card ready.

She didn't have any information about local campgrounds, but if that's what you're planning... find one QUICK and MAKE A RESERVATION NOW!

Judet and I are making samples soon. I am flying to Baton Rouge, taking muslin patterns for a love seat ( Oh Baby! brand from the CHF conference 2003 ) a childs wing chair and a little lounge for kids.

Have not yet chosen fabrics or colors. Between now and the 31rst when I go to Judet's house, if you are contributing samples to the Baltimore show and want to coordinate colors or patterns , let me know. Slipcoverlady@juno.com

I did mar 10 or 11. over there. She is wrestling with connection to the household server ( her story was more detailed ). I PM'd her, didn't hear back.

Kim where are you???? Has anyone heard from Kim in Oregon??????

There's a poll over there over there over there to ask what you want on the left hand column of the www.professionalslipcovers.com site. Tell me all your concerns while I can do something about them. Write the prose if you like. See the site changes, answer my questions about your monitors.

I credit any of us who got his far in life, to make a good choice for ourselves, given what's the situation and what's available for you.

Been there, family will grab your attention and hold it 'till your blue in the face, just know that we do this as often as we are able, and we are here now.

What's doing in Baltimore apr 16-18 is demonstrations of cutting by me, Karen, who ever is there. Booth for marketting yourself and us as a group. We will be pleased to see you, please come.

Me? I'll be grateful to actually get to Baltimore. I've warned family members that heart attacks, strokes, and broken hips are forbidden while I'm away (it really stinks watching people you love disintegrate before your eyes).

what do you want to see at Baltimore ? Commit to coming, it's not far off. April 16-18. If you need more info, ask.

I am choosing details for samples. What do you need to see ?

Hi all...

The website has been updated again to register for the Slipcover Summit. There were a few more bugs, but our webmaster has taken care of it, and we are ready to go.

There is a direct link to Shamrock who is the shuttle from the airport.

Also if anyone does have trouble registering, let me know asap.

All will be entered into a drawing to attend classes for free if your registration is in before May 22nd...

Off to Atlanta today
always
K

Crises averted; shuttles available from airport. Thanks, Alicia!

2004 Slipcover Summit - Need travel assistance... NOW!

How do we get from Denver to Ft. Collins? I have to know ASAP!

because the washing makes fabric elastic, I go ahead and do the muslin and leave the fabric mess at home. To one way of thinking you are risking the fit being worse. Because it IS so strecthy, I alter the muslin to " remove " some of the pattern. You are right, the logistics suck. Tote the muslin around.

Dear Slipcover Lady,
Re: Fitting with face fabric instead of muslin (e.g., Double-on-Half) - How do you (neatly and professionally) haul pre-washed lengths in and out of the client's house? Dede O'Hair

ask a question for the " ask the slipcoverlady " column. Need to write one today, 3/5.

I sent attachment of final draft of first page of website to those I thought would want to see.

If you killed my attachment, or it didn't get there, or you feel neglected, just ask for one.

I kept first page brief. I moved " issues " to the realm of pictures ( before and afters ) so as to keep it positive.

Tell me if you like the " pricing " statement. It's designed to make them ask you individually.

I am going with boxes to separate individual slipcover persons on the " show me what a slipcover can do for me " page. Here, your pictures can illustrate how you deal with an issue, ( problem ) your solution, not ever expressed as a problem, only as an answer. Mine will be washing, and seamless construction for heavy weights. If you only have afters, please send anyway, we need them.

You may write prose for the box. You may elect any detail you do or overlap someone else's ideas, like washing. I do need variety. Again, I need before and afters, you either sitting or working, three sets B and A's at most. Excess pictures ? you may certainly send, for now they will be not attributed, just used as samples on the last page which describes process.

first outline and fleshed out headings for the first page of professionalslipcovers on the other forum. Whomever knows how ( ain't me ) can figger out how to get it over here intact.

It's the needing for website thread, my own last post, headings somewhat fleshed out. Tell me what I am leaving out.

my role in life, the mouth.

Your thoughts are exactly how I feel about our industry, and we are the makers of the time.... All of us professionals who do this. I especially like

We support one another with a committment to making slipcovering more an art with all the varieties that can be presented in art. We're not slinging hash ( same old same old ).

We support one another provides for the successsion of the next generation of slipcover makers, and continuity of our art.

We show each other how to best prosper and anchor ourselves, commercially and personally, and to grow leadership within our peer group.

We foster the inclusion of all who demonstrate interest in the occupation, without judgement or fear.

We strive to elevate the product, and master the art of slipcover service. We strive for originality that best suits the taste and lifestyle of the end user, long product life and wear, and to offer the information consumers need to make wise choices.

We teach as a passion. To one another as a peer group, to anyone who would buy or has bought a slipcover, and to all those who promote and sell our unique services.

I have been thinking these thoughts for years....
Thanks so much
K

time marches on like a slug here. Dates looming and my progress is feeling very slow. Jobs from january, cold from grandchildren, and a nasty throat from flame proof lining. Will wear a mask today, as much as I hate it.

I don't know why I didn't say the first part of the mission statement more clearly before : we want people to know they can hire us direct.

As a group ( as undefined a group as we are ) we should have a mission statement. General, so as to keep it above commerce and competition among us.

We support one another with a committment to making slipcovering more an art with all the varieties that can be presented in art. We're not slinging hash ( same old same old ).

We support one another with the generativity ( look it up ) that provides for the successsion of the next generation of slipcover makers, and continuity of our art.

We show each other how to best prosper and anchor ourselves, commercially and personally, and to grow leadership within our peer group.

We foster the inclusion of all who demonstrate interest in the occupation, without judgement or fear.

We want to beat the pants off purveyors of mass~slipcover~crap. Said better of course. We strive to elevate the product, and master the art of slipcover service. We strive for originality that best suits the taste and lifestyle of the end user, long product life and wear, and to offer the information consumers need to make wise choices.

We teach as a passion. To one another as a peer group, to anyone who would buy or has bought a slipcover, and to all those who promote and sell our unique services.

Long and kinda preachy, the essence is good, the length and mood is off for a site who is just trying to grab someones attention. Good for us ?

Shirley...

I like your mission statement very much, and what you are doing with your new website. Having others photos and their cards by their work is a great idea. I love the idea of showing off pros...

I have gotten some pictures but not many. I don't know why there aren't more photos....

Keep plugging on.

always
K who is home for 48 hours to regroup

needing a purpose statement and mission statement soon. Anyone want to chime in here ?

Our purpose is to : tell the story of how custom slipocovers get made
show you who makes them
show you picture samples of the process
provide consumers information about choice
promote the home based and small producers of slipcover
illustrate ready mades and custom to help you compare


our mission statement: to provide the consumers of slipcovers with a direct source, useful information to help you choose, and a better product .

That's what I want to say : that's not how I want to say it. I think it can be more folksy and direct. Anybody ?

the professional slipcovers website is my own concept, and a vague one at that. It spends money without creating revenue. I have to yet find a way to make it pay for itself one day, if not today.

Meanwhile, the directory and the network has to fit into the concept like a yin yang thingee. I don't know that there is an "us" that we can call ourselves and with the benefit of a history and good name, to promote " us " if not have the network? I would be trading on the value of Karen's hard work.

When and if you sign on to the slipcover network directory is your choice. If I didn't say this before, it was always my intent to rotate pictures on and off the professional site to keep it fresh and give any one who wants it equal exposure. It's democratic.

I have no problem inferring, if not stating directly, that " we " are the network. I will be using pictures and business cards you send ( whomever sends ) and rewarding that picture sending effort with free exposure. You choose if also to be listed on the directory, and pay the small fee.

I do get an enormous amount of requests off the directory myself. I think it gives me credibility. You choose for yourself, I think it's an advantage. If someone were to see you on my site, then click to the directory link and you not be there, whatever they infer from that, is anyone's guess.

I have tent sickness. At least I found I could sew a quarter of the whole job in one day.

We finallized a plan where I zipped four roof sections together as equal squares, as I could not afford to have the zipper affect the roof drape. If the zipper begins at the center of each side and goes to the center high point, there's no ripple ( none is horizontal, only vertical. )

That meant larger pieces, 5 and 1/2 widths at 25 feet. ( finishes 50 by 50 )Thankfully, prior to this I had put wheels on all my machines. The schmadte ( crap ) stays on the table and I roll the over lock or straight stitch up to it.

Will I be in trouble if the quarter sections are not all the same size ? I used the zipper as a standard. The cloth stretches a bit, the zipper does not. I did not have separating zippers to do this, they are 25 feet long. I cut 6" extra on either end and will put the heads on, on site. At worst, if they are not the same size, I will zip from the center and let the sides be how they are.

The cloth is flame proof. I have a raw throat and thick secretions this morning. Will I do this again ? The guy said he wants a tent made out of " real " fabric ( this is lining ) for next year, for a permanent tent. Who, me ?

The biggest problem I can see is wrinkles. I can't take this anywhere to fold it that I would not be risking getting it dirty, and it's white.

okay, for there to be a we there has to be an us, I'd just like to say who us is. . Tessy, I like the comment, yes, it looks like that's a good reason to link them. Let them go there if that's the price they want.

Tessy, do you not want to list ? I guess I am confused.

Shirley

I don't see any problem with putting a link to store bought slips. After reading the info on your website if they still want one of THOSE covers they are not our customer.
When describing "us" as members of network directory what if I am not listed on the directory. Is everybody else a member?

discussing ( well, I am asking people to ) what to put on the first and most important page on profesisonalslipcovers.com about who we are and what we are and what were on doing on the internet. I need editing and suggestions, and most of all tell me how this could turn around and bite me that I haven't thought about yet. Over there~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~