Custom Marine Canvas Training Workshops is the most comprehensive marine canvas training program in the USA! Our boat canvas instruction courses features a hands-on training approach. Our team of experts have instructed students from all across the US and internationally to successfully fabricate quality marine canvas products, and to set up a profitable marine canvas & upholstery business.
BASIC CANVAS WORKSHOP:
Our boat cover instructional course is designed for a beginner with little or no experience, or for the canvas maker who wishes to improve their fabrication techniques.
Curriculum includes becoming familiar with a commercial sewing machine, how to measure, cut, fit, sew, and install basic canvases such as Cockpit Covers, Travel Covers, and Mooring Covers. Many canvas sewing techniques will be taught including those essential for making marine canvas. Canvas-cut windows, canvas & window repairs, and zipper repair & installation are also taught in this class. You'll also learn about hardware & fasteners, canvas making tools, types of fabrics & threads, basic canvas estimating, canvas shop marketing, canvas & upholstery product resources, and more! You will learn how to set-up shop and get started! Students will sew their own Cockpit Covers in class and take these projects home for reference along with a free roll of practice fabric! Each student will have their own sewing machine to use during the course.
*NOTE: Sewing Machine Repair Seminar follows this course and is held on Saturday.
ADVANCED CANVAS WORKSHOP:
This Workshop is for the student who has taken the Basic Workshop, but would like more 
training, or for someone who has worked in a canvas shop and needs to learn shortcuts and easier methods of producing a quality custom canvas product. We encourage the Advanced Workshop for those who are serious about marine fabricating as a full time profession. Curriculum includes more difficult items such as, zippered bow pockets, leak-proof aft window, fitting and patterning methods, frame bending, and a continuation of fitting and sewing on more difficult projects. Frame construction, fitting, sewing, and installing a Boat Top, Side Curtains, and Aft Curtain will be the main focus in this class. Students will sew their own Boat Top, Side Window-Curtain, and Aft Curtain to take home as a reference! Each student will have their own sewing machine to use during the course. You will also work on an actual customer job in our workshop. The ADVANCED Workshop follows the BASIC Workshop.
MARINE UPHOLSTERY WORKSHOP:
This 5-day Workshop teaches how to pattern, measure, cut, and sew basic and advanced upholstery, including these techniques:
- zippers
- welt (piping)
- striping
- multi-colors and patterns
- track-welting
- cutting, shaping, & bonding foam
- seating design
- bucket seats
- and more!
Each student will fabricate and take home with them:
- boat cushion
- bolster cushion
- multi-paneled cushion cover
- contoured V-berth cushion
Each student will have their own sewing machine to use during the course. A great class for both beginner and upholstery veterans! Completion of the Basic Workshop, or prior sewing experience, is required for this class. Students will take home their finished products!
Six-Day Canvas Training Course
PRO-SERIES WORKSHOP: NEW! this series includes the original Bimini Enclosure & Camper Workshop plus two Seminars, combined into one Pro Series Week!!
"Have you seen our photo gallery? Do you like our work? If you want to fabricate enclosures at this level, on any style boat, this class is where you’ll learn to do it!"
We begin with Variable Frame Systems and their design. We teach you how to improve a current design, or to start from scratch, and design enclosures that are leak-proof, functional, easy to use, and pleasing to the eye. We’ll also instruct the planning, placement, and installation of snapless Track Systems. We’ll teach you how to create tops and Enclosure panels for that ‘perfect fit’ and protection from the elements.
Pro-Series Workshop includes these Training Modules:
• Variable Frame System Design- Learn how to plan,
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Bimini and Aft Enclosures |
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Horizontal Aft Frames and Enclosures to the arch |
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High trim levels and advanced pockets |
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Track valances and zipper systems |
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Bridge Windshields and Connectors |
start, and implement your design. Design frames for arch applications, sport-fishing frames, California dodgers, camper-back, horizontal aft enclosures, and more!
• Bimini Tops- perfect and wrinkle free, featuring the highest trim techniques such as: sculpted, zippered, and snapped bow pockets and multi-directional patterning & fitting. You’ll make one and take it home with you!
• Enclosure Window Systems- learn how to plan and produce the highest quality enclosure panels including inner-faced and canvas-cut window panels. You’ll make your own leak-proof ‘smile’ with screen to take home with you!
• Camper Tops- learn how the experts make the transition from a wide-beam camper frame to a canvas-top. Learn to make a flat-pattern rain flap too! Perfect for Camper Tops!
• Windshields & Connectors- Learn the proper way to plan, fit, and sew, multi-panel Windshields with zipper flaps and Connectors.
Two Seminars are also included:
• Track &Tricks Seminar- Track Systems and Valances- everything you need to know about making track systems and attaching to them! We’ll show you how to make and market the 'Arch Conversion'. Learn how to plan, install, and fit to track systems; build track valances and contoured (bat-wing) flaps. We'll cover horizontal frames and Aft Enclosure Tops too! Hidden 'frowns' and are part of the day's activities. This Seminar is held Saturday.
• Quick Canvas Estimator & Quick Frame Calculator Seminar- receive software instruction and take a tour of our computer generated canvas estimator and frame calculator! This Seminar is held Friday evening.
Other course features include:
• Each student will sew an advanced Bimini Top and Enclosure Panel to take home!
• Each student will have their own sewing machine to use during the course.
• Step-by-step Enclosure & Camper Training Manual included
NOTE: The Pro-series Workshop is reserved for students who have taken the Basic and Advanced Workshops. It is also available to experienced canvas fabricators who desire to increase their quality or to tackle even the most difficult design challenges. Complete class curriculum requires the attendance of Friday evening and Saturday full-day seminars.
Four-Day Canvas Training Course
SEMI-RIGID ENCLOSURE WORKSHOP:
Patterning fiberglass Hardtops and fabricating Polycarbonate Enclosure Panels is the focus of this ultimate workshop! Learn about the most current products available today! This course is reserved for experienced fabricators or for students whom have completed the Basic & Advanced Workshops.
Class Topics include:
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Wavestopper Dodger and polycarbonate windows |
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• Building a frame for the Wavestopper fiberglass tops
• How to prepare a pattern for the fiberglass top manufacturer
• Creating zipper valances for 'Snapless' track systems
• Installing the Wavestopper fiberglass top
• Fabricating polycarbonate enclosure windows
• Creating 'Swing-up' windshield panel, rigid 'Smiles', and leak-proof soft 'frowns'.
• Multiple methods of fitting fabric with track systems
Class Features include:
• Step-by-step Rigid Enclosures Training Manual
• Manufacturer sources for rigid and semi-rigid products
• Statistical data on Makrolon AR .60 guage poly and other semi-rigid products
• Each student will fabricate their own sample polycarbonate window panel to take home!
• Each student will have their own sewing machine to use during the course.
*NOTE: TRACKS-N-TRICKS Seminar follows this course and is held on Friday.
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Macrolon AR Polycarbonate |
Canvas Training To Go!
When travel is out of the question, we can help! Fabricators, boat builders, and canvas associations can benefit from our full five-days consultation on design, frame systems, fitting methods, fabrication, installation, and other topics of your choice! We work side-by-side with manufacturing teams and fabricators. Our hands-on approach provides vital knowledge while seeing visual progress. Certain restrictions apply. Contact us to discuss specific details and to schedule Canvas Training To Go.
Summary of Workshops:
Whether you are a beginner with no sewing experience or a veteran fabricator desiring to learn the latest techniques, we have a marine canvas training course for you. Our workshops are geared for the individual who would like to learn to make the highest quality custom canvas in the shortest amount of time.
