We recently had a customer contact us about possible window 
replacements. So we went out to their boat in storage to check out each panel and see what ones we needed to bring back to the shop to replace. Only two windows had makeshift patches on them. The customer used tape and stickers to help prevent water leakage for the time being. This is a great solution, by the way, for a temporary fix until you 
can get a hold of your local canvas shop to either ad a patch to the window, or replace the whole window itself with new glass.
There are a couple different ways to do window replacements. It all really depends on the weather, and what shape your canvas is in. If its super hot outside, chances are your canvas has a lot of stretch to it. It’s probably easier to put on your boat because the fibers are more relaxed because of the heat. If it’s colder your canvas will be a little more hard and less likely to be so stretchy.
This canvas was in pretty good shape and looked rather new. Since 
it’s winter right now and it’s cold, this canvas wasn’t so stretched out. So we were able to do them both in a couple of hours without having to run back out to the boat and take 3D measurements.
So we cut out the old windows out, first using a utility knife to get as close as we can to the edge of the canvas. Then we get in there with a pair of scissors and do the rest of the cutting, the same way, as close as possible to the edge. We want your new windows to look as if, they were magically fixed and like no work was done on them, so this part is very important.
After we cut out the old glass, we roll out the new glass and trace out the old windows onto the new glass. There are a few different kinds of glass you can choose. The differences vary in price and quality, as well as how long it’ll stay clear and thickness. This customer chose Strataglass. So we trace out the old glass onto
the new glass to use as a reference point as to where the new window needs to line up, that way it fits perfectly. We carefully add an inch of glass around the line we just traced for a seam allowance. Then we put seamstick, which is a double sided sticky tape on the outside of the window where our seamstress will be sewing. Seamstick is just an extra precaution to help prevent water leakage through the needle holes of our sewing. Over time, dirt gets stuck in the holes, and since theres something sticky underneath, it helps block them up, which helps prevent any water from going through the holes. After we apply the seamstick, we line the windows up in the correct spot and sew them in!
Chiropractic Bed
One of our boating customers is a physical therapist and has contacted us a few times to reupholster some of his chiropractic tables. He recently contacted us because another one started ripping around where his clients would put their face. He needed the table to be reupholstered so we went to check it out and began our process.
We took apart the bed, bringing all the pieces back to the shop. Then we took our 3D measuring device and took measurements of the bed. After that we transferred all the measurements we collected into the computer. Using CAD software, we did a digital design for the new cover for the bed. After coming up with the design, we brought the computer to our plotter and drew the pattern out onto the new fabric the customer chose which was Infinity Fabrics Superior Upholstery Vinyl. Then we cut it out, and sewed it all together.
Sun Pad
Recently a customer reached out to us about wanting a new sunpad. His was covered in dirt, debris, and mold from being out on his boat for so many years.
He decided he wanted the same exact look as his old ones, and even wanted to keep the old foam. Some of his foam was moldy, so we had to use a mixture of 50/50 bleach and water to spray the foam down to make it safe to use again. 
After we prepped the old foam, we got measurements using our 3d measuring device to start the design process for the cushions.
After that we started sewing the new cushion covers together. These cushions are created out of Infinity Fabric Superior Upholstery Vinyl!
The bottoms of these cushions are all screen with an U shaped zipper to help easily remove the big piece of foam for easy access. The screen also helps with water drainage to help allow the cushion to have some breathing room which will help prevent mold in the near future.
We also added straps along with DOT Twist Lock fasteners to the cushions so they can be secured to the boat so they won’t go flying anywhere when you are on the move!
Box Cushions
Today we recreated three box cushions for a customer using Infinity Fabrics Superior Upholstery Vinyl in the color LTH04, which is a brownish tan color. We used Sunguard Oyster UVR bonded polyester thread which is great to use 
on things that are going to be exposed to a lot of sunlight and weather of all kinds. Sunguard is twisted and bonded in a certain way that the thread will have the best quality colorfastness and performance when in use. It is an anti-wick thread which helps reduce seam leakage. Its a great strong thread to use on cushions that are going to be outdoors when you are on your boat!
Using our 3D measuring device, we took measurements of the old cushions to assure that these new ones would fit the right dimensions. Then we took those measurements to the computer and used CAD to finish up the design process to make sure everything was perfect.
After that we draw the pattern out onto the fabric with our plotting machine and then we hand cut the fabric.
The first step for sewing these together is sewing the zipper part of the cushion.
For these cushions we did hidden zippers, along with the end of the zipper being able to get tucked into the
cushion so the zipper head isn’t going to be seen! After that we finish up the whole rest of the side piece that wraps around the cushion. Then we attach the top and bottom to the piece, and take our time sewing the seam down or up, depending on how the customer wants the cushion to look, most of the time we use a double needle
machine to give the cushion a nice finished look. For these, we just sewed the seam up to the top and bottom of the cushion, so if any water were to get on the seats, it 
would roll over the edge, instead of getting stuck in the seam!
Outdoor Grill Cover
We often fabricate custom outdoor grill covers for customers in the Chicagoland area. These covers protect the counter tops, sinks, grills, and cabinets from the different weather changes here in Illinois. Things like snow, water, ice and dirt can make your grill and your beautiful cooking area have a shorter life span. With a custom cover, you can help protect your investment!
All of our covers are custom made. We start off all of our jobs by going out to our customers house to take measurements using our 3D measuring device. This is one of our many labor-saving, cost-effective tools that we use here at Chicago Marine Canvas. With this tool, we can quickly take measurements, rain or shine, even with Chicago winds! After we gather all of our measurements, we head back to our shop and our designer starts the design process. Our designer uses CAD (Computer-Aided-Design) Software to draw up your new cover. With this program, we can see everything in 3D, allowing us to make sure that our customers cover is perfect and just how they want it. For this cover, we made sure that the grill could still be accesses if needed in the winter. So we made sure to add zippers on both sides of the grill so the grill area can be exposed and can be used all year round. 
For this outdoor grill cover we used Sunbrella fabric in Walnut Brown Tweed. Sunbrella fabric is fade resistant and comes with a 10 year warranty. We used Lenzip Zippers for the easy access flap. We also put black webbing along all of the outside edges of the cover so we could put snaps to attach the cover securely to the home, deck, and grill area! Making sure that your cover will not go flying away in Chicago winds!
Forward Window Replacements
A lot of people come to us with their canvas in great shape but their windows are on their last leg. When it comes to cases like these, we do window replacements. Today that’s what we are doing, forward window replacements.
These windows are starting to discolor, become foggy which can prevent visibility. They are also starting to crack which will cause water leakage. A cost effective way to help fix this issue is to replace the glass. 
We start off by measuring the windows with our 3d measuring device then we go to the computer and have the actual window size that’s needed to replace the glass.
While one of us does the design work, we have another person prepping the windows. 
We start off by cutting as close as we can without damaging the canvas with a knife to give us room to start using scissors to cut the old glass out of the windows.
After all the old glass is removed we cut out 
the new glass for the windows. For these window replacements, we used Strataglass in Light Smoke, which has a slight tint to it.
After those are all cut out, we start replacing the new glass into the old canvas. Using seamstick to make sure that all of our needle holes can become waterproofed, we line the whole outside edge of where we will be sewing along the window. We don’t want your new windows to leak any water!
After the seamstick is applied to the canvas, we 
take the new windows and line them up correctly, and then sew them all down.
After we are all done, here’s how they look. Nice and flat, and brand new! The old cracked discolored glass
is gone and your windows look brand new! When summer comes around your windows will look updated without replacing your whole canvas!
Overstock Fabric
We have a large supply of overstock fabric on hand that we want to open to the public to buy. Need some upholstery fabric? We have so much of it! Need some waterproof/out door fabric? We have a ton of that too! So come on over to our shop, and take a look! Below is a list, so you have an idea of what we have, but seeing the fabric and feeling it will really help you get a better idea of what we have!
Chicago Marine Canvas
1907 N. Mendel St. Suite 112
Chicago, IL. 60642
Overstock Fabric
Bay 2 : Aqualon : Grey : 10-30Yards
Bay 2 : Aqualon : Brown : 10-30 Yards
Bay 2: Aqualon : Cream : 10-30 Yards
Bay 2 : Aqualon : Black : 10-30 Yards
Bay 2 : Aqualon : Navy : 10-30 Yards
Bay 2 : Aqualon : Navy : 10-30 Yards
Bay 3 : Unknown : Blue Basket Weave : 10-30 Yards
Bay 3 : Unknown : Yellow/Green Pattern : >10 Yards
Bay 3 : Unknown : Checkered Light Grey : 10-30 Yards
Bay 3 : Unknown : Pink/Brown : <30 Yards
Bay 3 : Unknown : Red/White/Blue Stripes : 10-30 Yards
Bay 3 : Aqualon : Burgondy : <30 Yards
Bay 3 : Unknown : Brown/Blue/White/Black Plaid : 10-30 Yards
Bay 3 : Unknown : Blue With Colored Dots : 10-30 Yards
Bay 3 : Unknown : White/Blue Stripes : 10-30 Yards
Bay 3 : Unknown : Burgundy Honey Comb Weave : 10-30 Yards
Bay 3: Unknown : Blue Suede : 10-30 Yards
Bay 3 : Unknown : Brown Stripes : >10 Yards
Bay 3 : Unknown : Brown Pattern : >10 Yards
Bay 3 : Unknown : Purple Pattern : >10 Yards
Bay 3 : Sunbrella : Orange : 10-30 Yards
Bay 5 : Aqualon : Charcoal : 10-30 Yards
Bay 5 : Aqualon : Mountain Rock : 10-30 Yards
Bay 5 : Aqualon : Ivory : 10-30 Yards
Bay 5 : Aqualon : Black : 10-30 Yards
Bay 5 : Aqualon : Blue : 10-30 Yards
Bay 5 : Aqualon : Smoke/Neutral Rubber/ 10-30 Yards
Bay 5 : Unknown: Burgondy : 10-30 Yards
Bay 5 : Aqualon : Dark Charcoal : 10-30 Yards
Bay 5 : Unknown : Black : <30 Yards
Bay 5 : Unknown : Gold : >10 Yards
Bay 6 : Ship2Shore Armada : Lemon Chiffon : >10 Yards
Bay 6 : Unknown Upholstery : Ivory : >10 Yards
Bay 6 : Unknown Upholstery : Black/Red : 10-30 Yards
Bay 6 : Unknown Upholstery : Burgundy : 10-30 Yards
Bay 6 : Unknown Upholstery : Bright Blue : 10-30 Yards
Bay 6 : Unknown Upholstery : Cream : 10-30 Yards
Bay 6 : Unknown Upholstery : White Pleated : 10-30 Yards
Bay 6 : Unknown Upholstery : White Pleather/Light Blue Backing : 10-30 Yards
Bay 6 : Unknown Upholstery : White : <30 Yards
Bay 6 : Unknown Upholstery : Blue : <30 Yards
Bay 6 : Unknown Upholstery : White : <30 Yards
Bay 6 : Unknown Upholstery : Cream : <30 Yards
Bay 7 : Unknown Upholstery : White/Black Stripe : <30 Yards
Bay 7 : Unknown Upholstery : Brown : 10-30 Yards
Bay 7 : Unknown Upholstery : Green : 10-30 Yards
Bay 7 : Unknown Upholstery : Teal : 10-30 Yards
Bay 7 : Unknown Upholstery : Navy : <30 Yards
Bay 7 : Unknown Upholstery : White : <30 Yards
Bay 7 : Unknown Upholstery : Cream : <30 Yards
Bay 7 : Unknown Upholstery : Red : 10-30 Yards
Bay 7 : Unknown Upholstery : Grey : 10-30 Yards
Bay 7 : Unknown Upholstery : Dark Grey : 10-30 Yards
Bay 7: Unknown Upholstery : White Textured : 10-30 Yards
Sea Ray
For this Sea Ray, we did a custom cockpit cover with custom boots for their framing.
Here at Chicago Marine Canvas, we only do custom work. That means no two covers are a like. We begin every job by physically going out to your boat to take measurements with our 3D measuring device. Our measuring device is one of the many tools that we have here in our shop that is cost-effective and labor saving. After we gather all the right numbers, we head back to our shop to begin the design process.
We do all of our design work on the computer using CAD (Computer-Aided Design) Software. This helps save us time and you money. Here we can quickly design your cover, and see it in 3D before we even sew it all together. Once we make sure that all of your needs are met and that the design is top notch, we send it over to our plotter. Our plotter is another one of our fun tools that we use to save us time and you money. It can quickly draw out the pattern for your new cover in a matter of minutes, without any errors. After it’s all drawn out, our seamstress cuts out all the pieces and begins to sew it all together.
For this cover we used Sunbrella fabric in Heather Beige! Sunbrella fabric is one of our favorite canvas’ to use here in our shop! It comes with a 10 year warranty and is fade resistant! To sew everything together we used GORE Tenara thread. GORE tenara is a great thread to use for outdoor applications because it is UV resistant, weather resistant, and chemical resistant. It comes with a lifetime guarantee, which means no more restitching once your cover has been out in the sun for a few years!
Seat Covers
Check out these custom slip covers we designed for these boat seats!
We created these waterproof covers out of Stamoid fabric, which is a rubbery material that is great for keeping things dry!
Window Replacements
Canvas still looking great but your windows are cracking or are starting to become discolored? An easy cost effective way to fix that issue is window replacements.
Our process is a little different then other boat shops. Over time your canvas can become stretched out or even shrink after its been on your boat for a while. To help ensure that your windows will fit we start off by taking your old windows and removing the old glass from them. Then we head out to your boat, zip the windows back onto the bimini and snap them down to the boat. We then take our 3D measuring 
device and take real measurements of the windows, so we have a guide as to where the new windows need to be sewn, so they look great and fit just right when we are all done!
We can also help you pick out your new window material. Maybe you want Strataglass or Eisenglass.
