Okay guys, I have to go on a little more about how cool my girlfriend is. She’s like Da Vinci with a Sailrite sewing machine.
Carla is turning into a total pro when it comes to canvas work. She doesn’t like handling large projects like dodgers & sails, but when it comes to cushions, winch covers, and sail covers she LOVES the work. She is going to train me on the machine and I’ll handle the sail repairs and larger, hard to handle projects. I’m also planning to build a new set of tanbark sails for Splendid when we can afford it. 
Sailrite has a really cool option to ordering sails. You can order new sails from Sailrite, or you can order much more affordable “sail kits” and do the stich work yourself if you have a machine.
The Sailrite machine opens up so much for us. We can easily find work in any port of the world and I’m not stuck in an oily engine room dealing with someone else’s headache.
Sewing is clean fun work. And when you’re 
finished the rewards are tangible. Carla’s only charging $20 an hour as she is still learning and doesn’t want to ask for more than she/we need. We also just turned down a few jobs as there is far more work around than we want.
I’d like to say a few things about Sailrite. First of all “what an awesome company to deal with”! Every time we call them to place 
an order, or have a technical question about the machine we only get the best of service, great attitudes, and best prices. The cost of buying the machine has paid for itself with our first job. They also have great “how-to” DVD’s and training workshops. If you’re planning on doing any cruising at all you should really get yourself a Sailrite machine and learn how to use it. We have the Ultrafeed LSZ-1 (the one that does zigzag and straight stich).
Even if you don’t plan on making money with a sewing machine as you travel, you should have the ability to repair your own sails. Sails are to a sailboat what an engine is to a car. If you are planning to do any traveling you’ll need to 
have the ability to repair, and if you’re really cool, build your own sails.
We decided to go with burgundy cushions in Splendid’s cockpit. Carla knocked out this cushion in two hours.
Carla also wants to recommend two books on canvas work if anyone is interested. Jim Grant’s “The Complete Canvasworker’s Guide”, and Don Casey’s “Canvaswork & Sail Repair”
I know it may sound corny, but on Splendid, our Sailrite machine equals freedom. With the ability to make money as we travel, our world just got a little bigger (and more beautiful).
Peace, love, and Sailrite
– Alex