Just got off the phone with a potential customer. She moved a Queen Anne chair into another room, and the "eggplant slipcover she had made "just a few months ago" doesn't match anymore. It's "very clever, with Velcro on it so it doesn't move - can you imagine doing all that at her age?"
A "nice old lady" made it, you see. For (get this) $70.
I think I'm gonna be sick... No, really - this is making me physically ill.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Everybody bug Rusty
tell him we need a man's perspective. Tell him we need him in June.....
Rusty is a high volume double on half old urban slipcover workhorse like we sometimes talk about.
so as to avoid the trawlers I am writing it so it won't highlight
slipcover it
at
yahoo
dot
com
Rusty is a high volume double on half old urban slipcover workhorse like we sometimes talk about.
so as to avoid the trawlers I am writing it so it won't highlight
slipcover it
at
yahoo
dot
com
Friday, January 04, 2008
who's in Trenton or near by ?
who can give me a sizing up of the slipcover market there ?
I do mean specifically Trenton or north as opposed to Philly, who works that area,, anyone we know ?
I do mean specifically Trenton or north as opposed to Philly, who works that area,, anyone we know ?
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Fabric sources
Claudia will be teaching a class at this years Summit on Fabric Sources, but in the meantime, let me suggest some words to Google.
Min Fab , Carr Textile, cut yardage textiles. Others here may give you specific links.
There are no shortage of fabric jobbers, though you'll want to be very specific in your quizzing of these companies before paying for books.
Personally, I only ever use cotton 8 ounces per yard or more, and I only ever order from folks who actually have stock.
You'll want to know what you are willing to sell, as 99% of what books they may ask you to buy will be appropriate for windows but perhaps not slipcovers.
Min Fab , Carr Textile, cut yardage textiles. Others here may give you specific links.
There are no shortage of fabric jobbers, though you'll want to be very specific in your quizzing of these companies before paying for books.
Personally, I only ever use cotton 8 ounces per yard or more, and I only ever order from folks who actually have stock.
You'll want to know what you are willing to sell, as 99% of what books they may ask you to buy will be appropriate for windows but perhaps not slipcovers.
Making copies
the only ways I have discovered that work for me are :
making a double on half cutting with the real fabric, trimming the seams down to the intended seam allowance, complete with all the signals you give yourself. Take out the pins, and make another ( or make 12, or 200 ).
or: making a single on half fitting, out of the real cloth or muslin, trim, use signals, and then make not only your duplicates but the second half of the first cutting, if you used decor fabric to fit with.
these are reasonable strategies if you have certain insurance.
leave plenty of skirt hem, to individualize copies if need be.
Triple check your assumptions that matching furniture is alike enough to do this, then use the largest one. Only differences within certain tolerances merit using absolute copies ** read below.
Use cotton fabric, soak and dry ( if that can be done safely ) to increase elasticity. Think how elastic works in your clothes, same here.
Never assume a pattern or an original cutting can be used to copy to a less elastic fabric than the one fitted, never. It will likely be too small, unless you leave big seams, and even then, it's likely not good. Only copy to the same fabric, or to a more elastic one.
If your copies turn out too large, this is easier to fix than if they come out too small, obviously. *** you may copy your duplicates with a larger seam allowance and then try one each to individualize, this is possible with enough patience and perhaps more trips.
Copies can be better than if fitted one by one from a couple perspectives. Yes, the fit won't be as good. But, the seams will all be in the same places, as will be the motif. If the cord stands out and the pattern placement stands out loudy as well, then copies can be very good.
Double on half will be offered at the next Summit, and this is where all copy strategies begin, double on half.
Once you do it you'll wonder why you didn't do it sooner.
making a double on half cutting with the real fabric, trimming the seams down to the intended seam allowance, complete with all the signals you give yourself. Take out the pins, and make another ( or make 12, or 200 ).
or: making a single on half fitting, out of the real cloth or muslin, trim, use signals, and then make not only your duplicates but the second half of the first cutting, if you used decor fabric to fit with.
these are reasonable strategies if you have certain insurance.
leave plenty of skirt hem, to individualize copies if need be.
Triple check your assumptions that matching furniture is alike enough to do this, then use the largest one. Only differences within certain tolerances merit using absolute copies ** read below.
Use cotton fabric, soak and dry ( if that can be done safely ) to increase elasticity. Think how elastic works in your clothes, same here.
Never assume a pattern or an original cutting can be used to copy to a less elastic fabric than the one fitted, never. It will likely be too small, unless you leave big seams, and even then, it's likely not good. Only copy to the same fabric, or to a more elastic one.
If your copies turn out too large, this is easier to fix than if they come out too small, obviously. *** you may copy your duplicates with a larger seam allowance and then try one each to individualize, this is possible with enough patience and perhaps more trips.
Copies can be better than if fitted one by one from a couple perspectives. Yes, the fit won't be as good. But, the seams will all be in the same places, as will be the motif. If the cord stands out and the pattern placement stands out loudy as well, then copies can be very good.
Double on half will be offered at the next Summit, and this is where all copy strategies begin, double on half.
Once you do it you'll wonder why you didn't do it sooner.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Elements of effective pricing
effective being the most money you can probably get and preserving having that person willingly pass your name around and come back themselves for more.
that gives you a spectrum to choose from, the immediate money being ( or seeming ) far more important than continuing purchases from this person ( like, when ? if ? how likely ? ) or having them gladly pass your name around.
that balance is for each person to weigh, and then it changes for folks month to month and year to year. Your best guess here is all you get. We all guess how to balance the two needs.
Survey what slipcover buying folks are going to hear on the phone when calling your competitors by calling yourself first, all the numbers listed in your local phone book. Fib and fake it, get those facts. Ask in person if you prefer, go shop. Business slow ? Best time is now.
Ask not only price but policy. How long ? Is COM allowed ? Ask if sales are common, and when. Ask what is included what is add on, whether they work in the home. Hone your skills calling the folks that matter least, the ones farther away.
Partricipate in the http://www.Slipcovernetwork.com survey, soon to come, here. Karen will tell us about it.
Develop questions. Develop your own questions about why the final last right pricing seems ellusive to you. Those are good facts in themselves. You may never sort all the answers but do have the questions. The questions tell you how flexible you need to be in your area.
A good example of a relevant question that makes me wonder about what goes on in my own area: stores pump up labor then run " fabulous " sales on labor. How does that impact me ? I may never know, but I better keep asking myself to wonder.
Let's talk about the questions, the answers are hard to identify, but let's identify the questions. Who picks up furniture, who drives far from home to do this ? Who are the local players ?
The best price you can choose to give is a price that you can live with, and that the customer is feeling good enough about to call you back again and plan more, especially if enough folks aren't finding you.
A lost job due to what is judged to be a too high price is neither right or wrong, but it may be more convenient or less convenient, depending on when it happens. A lost job is somethimes not only a lost paycheck but a lost chance for good referals or a good new unique experience.
Giving up something on price is not without compensation when you at least get the job. This isn't as negative as it may sound, your paid for advertising to a cold market may be as costly as what you choose to underprice, and that cold advertising buck shot can be ineffective even once paid for.
Underpricing is a choice, especially when you are new feeling out your market, if the phone isn't ringing as much as you'd like. It's an aggressive strategy.
that gives you a spectrum to choose from, the immediate money being ( or seeming ) far more important than continuing purchases from this person ( like, when ? if ? how likely ? ) or having them gladly pass your name around.
that balance is for each person to weigh, and then it changes for folks month to month and year to year. Your best guess here is all you get. We all guess how to balance the two needs.
Survey what slipcover buying folks are going to hear on the phone when calling your competitors by calling yourself first, all the numbers listed in your local phone book. Fib and fake it, get those facts. Ask in person if you prefer, go shop. Business slow ? Best time is now.
Ask not only price but policy. How long ? Is COM allowed ? Ask if sales are common, and when. Ask what is included what is add on, whether they work in the home. Hone your skills calling the folks that matter least, the ones farther away.
Partricipate in the http://www.Slipcovernetwork.com survey, soon to come, here. Karen will tell us about it.
Develop questions. Develop your own questions about why the final last right pricing seems ellusive to you. Those are good facts in themselves. You may never sort all the answers but do have the questions. The questions tell you how flexible you need to be in your area.
A good example of a relevant question that makes me wonder about what goes on in my own area: stores pump up labor then run " fabulous " sales on labor. How does that impact me ? I may never know, but I better keep asking myself to wonder.
Let's talk about the questions, the answers are hard to identify, but let's identify the questions. Who picks up furniture, who drives far from home to do this ? Who are the local players ?
The best price you can choose to give is a price that you can live with, and that the customer is feeling good enough about to call you back again and plan more, especially if enough folks aren't finding you.
A lost job due to what is judged to be a too high price is neither right or wrong, but it may be more convenient or less convenient, depending on when it happens. A lost job is somethimes not only a lost paycheck but a lost chance for good referals or a good new unique experience.
Giving up something on price is not without compensation when you at least get the job. This isn't as negative as it may sound, your paid for advertising to a cold market may be as costly as what you choose to underprice, and that cold advertising buck shot can be ineffective even once paid for.
Underpricing is a choice, especially when you are new feeling out your market, if the phone isn't ringing as much as you'd like. It's an aggressive strategy.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Hi all, Amy here, from Austin. I met some of you in Arizona at the 06 summit.
It was very inspiring and now I am making slips for a living! I have a couple of questions for you all.
I almost always use Karen's method, that class was a real eye opener!
I have a customer who wants 2 sets of covers for each piece I am doing.
How wouyld you guys charge for that? Using Karen's method I would need to basically do each piece
completely seperately, so would I charge double?
My other question is about selling fabric. Austin has a pretty small selection of fabric to choose
from and I think sometimes clients would really like to just order from me. I don't know the
first thing about selling fabric. Comments? Hope you all had a lovely Christmas.
Amy
It was very inspiring and now I am making slips for a living! I have a couple of questions for you all.
I almost always use Karen's method, that class was a real eye opener!
I have a customer who wants 2 sets of covers for each piece I am doing.
How wouyld you guys charge for that? Using Karen's method I would need to basically do each piece
completely seperately, so would I charge double?
My other question is about selling fabric. Austin has a pretty small selection of fabric to choose
from and I think sometimes clients would really like to just order from me. I don't know the
first thing about selling fabric. Comments? Hope you all had a lovely Christmas.
Amy
Monday, December 24, 2007
Holiday greetings for all who belong or wish to
I think I speak for all who regularly meet and share at our annual event the Slipcover Summit when I say thanks to each of you for your continued support and for being here with us.
Wishing everyone of us Peace and Joy, and extending a hope we see one another soon.
If you are wishing to belong or have an interest in what we do here, don't hestitate to ask for more information.
slipcoverlady@juno.com for those questions.
Wishing everyone of us Peace and Joy, and extending a hope we see one another soon.
If you are wishing to belong or have an interest in what we do here, don't hestitate to ask for more information.
slipcoverlady@juno.com for those questions.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Slipcover Pricing Survey?
Tessy and Dede when will the Slipcover Pricing Survey be distributed to Slipcover Professional to fill out?
Folks are anxious and looking for 2008 price summary already.
Thanks
Karen
Folks are anxious and looking for 2008 price summary already.
Thanks
Karen
Sunday, December 09, 2007
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Z-Tex "Timeless Twill"
I just received some new samples from Z-Tex - I requested everything they have that's "8 oz. and heavier." Timeless Twill wasn't among them. Has it been discontinued? Or was it lighter than 8 oz.? Can't remember, but I'm thinking of asking for some lighter samples.
Has anyone ever used 7 oz. fabric?
Has anyone ever used 7 oz. fabric?
Monday, November 12, 2007
Suggestions AnyOne?
I am about to embark on six dining room chairs.175 year old dining room chairs I should say.
Of the six chairs, there are NONE the same size! They are all the same shape but they vary in height and width, any where from half inch to one and half inch from the shortest to the tallest.
Two of them (we can put the two that are the tallest and the closest in height together side by side) will be the first thing you see when you walk in the front door and look into the dining room.
How would you do that?
In my mind, I think I should just make all the backs, seats and apron the same and the skirts will be where me make up for the different heights.
Making sure they are all X amount of inches from the floor. Is that right, or am I way off?
I attached pictures of the style the custom wants and the actual chair.
Barbie Morgan SheffieldSheffield's Custom Slips
The Art of Flexible Decor
About Welt Cord
In your DVD, "So you want to make a slip cover", (1 of 3 that I bought awhile which was very much worth the cost), you say that you use 'cellulose' cord to make your welt cord.
You said this doesn't shrink like cotton will when the slip cover is washed.
Is 'cellulose' cord the same as 'tissue cord'?
I have been using the tissue cord and recently heard from two sources that tissue cord is never to be washed.
Thank you for any help.
Gene Janney Fabric Elegance, LLC
You said this doesn't shrink like cotton will when the slip cover is washed.
Is 'cellulose' cord the same as 'tissue cord'?
I have been using the tissue cord and recently heard from two sources that tissue cord is never to be washed.
Thank you for any help.
Gene Janney Fabric Elegance, LLC
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
chomping at the bit
waiting for my new Juki 8700-7 to get delivered. Tedco is bringing it to me, lugging it down the basement steps.
They are providing a mechanic to set up the electronic panel when it's in place and give me lessons.
The electronic panel gives undertrimming and auto foot raise options along with tension and stitch lengths.
Have I seen one at all yet ? Nope !
I am getting slower at sewing, so the 5500 SPM may be overkill, but I am sick of the knee lift and clipping a million threads. Speed where I can get it, to make up for when I am not so fast.
I will add photo when it comes.
They are providing a mechanic to set up the electronic panel when it's in place and give me lessons.
The electronic panel gives undertrimming and auto foot raise options along with tension and stitch lengths.
Have I seen one at all yet ? Nope !
I am getting slower at sewing, so the 5500 SPM may be overkill, but I am sick of the knee lift and clipping a million threads. Speed where I can get it, to make up for when I am not so fast.
I will add photo when it comes.
Saturday, November 03, 2007
okay new tactic
Maybe nobody else had this problem, but apparently if you chose to open a G Mail account when Blogger changed it's preferences back in July ? and Blogger asked you to open a G Mail account ( I don't think it was stated as mandatory ) it's not then the email address you put in the box on the sign in page.
I think I am finding this to be true consistently, but I'll have to do it more than once to be sure. The ID I originally used to sign is still the sign-in ID in the ID box.
the password is now the password to the G Mail account.
So, am I crazy ? Am I alone in this difficulty ?
I used my original sign-in ID and password. Bogger then added @ juno.com ( I didn't do that ) and then rejected my original password, but instead of saying the password was wrong they said the email addy didn't exist.
I put the G Mail addy in the ID box, and it again said the same thing, no email exists in that name ( both addresses work for me as email addresses )
I erased the ID box, typed in my old ID, typed in my most recent change of password for my G Mail address, and Blogger then let me on. I am sure it's my old brain that has something wrong with it, but if anyone else is having trouble, maybe we can get to the bottom of this. ( in case someone is suffering in silence)
I think I am finding this to be true consistently, but I'll have to do it more than once to be sure. The ID I originally used to sign is still the sign-in ID in the ID box.
the password is now the password to the G Mail account.
So, am I crazy ? Am I alone in this difficulty ?
I used my original sign-in ID and password. Bogger then added @ juno.com ( I didn't do that ) and then rejected my original password, but instead of saying the password was wrong they said the email addy didn't exist.
I put the G Mail addy in the ID box, and it again said the same thing, no email exists in that name ( both addresses work for me as email addresses )
I erased the ID box, typed in my old ID, typed in my most recent change of password for my G Mail address, and Blogger then let me on. I am sure it's my old brain that has something wrong with it, but if anyone else is having trouble, maybe we can get to the bottom of this. ( in case someone is suffering in silence)
Friday, November 02, 2007
I'm baaaack !
I never was actually away, I got confused about how to sign on. The G Mail thing got me twisted around. Anyone else need a hand with that sign in problem email Karen or email meat slipcoverlady@juno.com
Wonderful Video, I assume we can tell others about that ?
I am actually lacking a sound card in my computer but I read your lips, Karen....
Wonderful Video, I assume we can tell others about that ?
I am actually lacking a sound card in my computer but I read your lips, Karen....
Friday, October 26, 2007
Sunbrella Fabric for the Recent Slipcover Project
Jo Ellen in St Louis purchased the Sunbrella fabric for her sofa slipcover from
Shasta at http://www.uniquexpressions.net/
It did not have much give, but was easy to sew with.
There are other fabrics out there that have the same inherent protection, but Sunbrella guarantees their product as long as you follow the guidelines.
always
Karen
Shasta at http://www.uniquexpressions.net/
It did not have much give, but was easy to sew with.
There are other fabrics out there that have the same inherent protection, but Sunbrella guarantees their product as long as you follow the guidelines.
always
Karen
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