27 Feb 2019

Youtube

by Martin Miller | posted in: Contract Sewing | 0

OUTDOOR SEWING SOLUTIONS now has its own YouTube channel.

Take a look at our sewing capibilities.

Sewing capabilities

We offer concept design services through to consumer project management and everything in between including concept consultancy, design, fabric textile specification, prototyping, knife and laser cutting, product fabrication.

Outdoor Sewing Solutions are currently undertaking work for companies from a wide spectrum of industry sectors mostly involved in the leisure activity sectors such as Caravan accessories, Caravan awning manufactures, Climbing walls manufactures, Marine servicing, Boatbuilding. We have also taken on work for others including The Institute for Outdoor Learning.

The Heavy-duty sewing machines in our workshop allow OSS to handle a massive range of material weights.

NEW This year is Glamping contract manufacturing.

In order to reduce costs, our clients are now able to design and purchase their own materials and free issue either cut panels or raw material to us for assembly.

This means we only charge you for the assembly without added costs of Purchasing your materials with large markups. This puts all control of costs back into your hands. OSS is also able to hold stock of your materials on site.

Glamping Types

DIY Cleaning and proofing

Sewing capabilities

MY Channel

Sewing capabilities

The Heavy-duty sewing machines in our workshop allow OSS to handle a massive range of material weights.

NEW This year is Glamping contract manufacturing.

In order to reduce costs, our clients are now able to design and purchase their own materials and free issue either cut panels or raw material to us for assembly.

Glamping Types

DIY Cleaning and proofing

Sewing capabilities

4 Dec 2018

Beth Miller sailing success in 2018

by Martin Miller | posted in: Marine & Sails, RS Tera | 0

Beth Miller Sailing"s Blog is now Live www.bethmillersailing.co.uk

St Aidan's CE High School girl Beth Miller was the first-placed girl and an impressive second overall at the RS Tera Pro World Championships at RS Games in Weymouth Portland, sailing in the 66-strong RS Tera Pro fleet for older juniors in the class, likewise having to contend with some strong breezes. Over five days and 12 races, Beth's results included a race win and two seconds, plus a consistent set of top 10 finishes to secure the girls' title by a clear margin.

Run over 5 days and 12 races Beth took a creditable 1^st place in race 5 and finished 2^nd in two other races. Day 5 was abandoned due to heavy winds leaving Miller a clear second overall and first girl by some margin.

A lesson in consistency on day four in the heavy breeze Secured her title and second overall with Beth finishing 8^th, 8^th and 9^th.

Other YDSC Pro fleet results were Oliver Rayner in 16^th and taking the 1^st position in race 6 and Esme Barraclough in 20 places overall.

Beth was representing Yorkshire Dales Sailing club and sailing under the New Zealand flag, representing her father native country.

In the Sports Fleet Oatlands Schoolboy, soon to be Harrogate Grammer School, William Bailey came fifth overall in a very close run battle for first place overall in the Sports Fleet (80 boats).

Thomas Bates of Ripon Sailing club entered in his first open regatta away from his local club finished a very credible 21^st in the sports fleet.

Miller, Bailey, Bates and all the other Yorkshire Dales competitors have been a part of the youth training scheme at Ripon Sailing Club in Knaresborough and later move to Yorkshire Dales Sailing club to develop their skills on a larger and more challenging training ground.

The realisation of becoming the Female RS Tera Pro World Champion and second overall hasn’t yet sunk in. Leading up to the event, I would try to go to Yorkshire Dales Sailing Club as often as possible to practice my sport and perfect the little things such as hiking, tacking and jibing. Achieving something as great as this has given me an amazing feeling but at the same time, it feels like you now have such a high standard to maintain. I’ve been training hard over the past four years and especially this last season. To achieve this means a lot and it shows that anything is possible. Before the start of this regatta, one of the massive things I lacked was self-confidence. I would always doubt my ability and say that I can never beat certain competitors. During the worlds I proved myself wrong and that anything you put your mind and time to is possible. Now that I have become a world class sailor, I have much more self-belief and feel much better about my sailing. I now know I can go out and beat people I never thought I could and that has already benefited me massively.

The RS Tera Pro fleet regatta was very competitive but I think what assisted me in attaining my position were the starts and overall boat handling. My dad has been my main coach over the past four years and he has always taught me to keep my boat flat and rarely try to win the starts. Before the competition, Dad and I would sit down at the computer and watch Laser Olympic races and look at there techniques and then I tried to apply them to my own sailing In the heavy winds, I’ve been taught to play the mainsail through the gusts to keep the boat flat. On the start line, many sailors would compete to win the line but it’s more successful to be on the front row with clear air. I am not as tactical as many of my fellow sailors so before we are given the signal to launch I will find somewhere with my dad where we can look at the race course and its surroundings. I will also look at the forecast and see if it may shift and a roughly what time so I am then able to head up the bias side of the beat. The one thing I will never do is bang corners because if the wind does unexpectedly shift you can lose out massively. If I am ever in doubt about the bias side, I will always sail up the middle of the course and look at the surrounding boats to see which side looks favoured. I’m only as good as the weakest sailor, and the best advice I’ve ever been given is “Go out there, sail your hardest and what happens happens.”
Next season, I would like to go up to the RS Feva. I feel like this would be a good option because it can then improve my sailing in many different ways Hopefully, the Feva will give me more understanding of the science behind sailing and therefore make me understand how to generate more speed and power through the body and controls. Sailing a Feva will then give me experience in both a single and double handed boat. Due to going into Year 10 and starting My GCSE’s, I may have to reduce my time sailing but would still like to enter in competitions and get as far as possible.

2019 - 2020

I hope to sail the RS Feva for about two years before making the decision to either stay in a double-handed boat or go back to single handed.

I have now teamed up with her friend Tilda Brayshay to sail in the RS Feva fleet. We have been selected for the RYA RS Feva XL Zone Squad and will be training over the winter to get ready for the RES Feva Nationals in Abersoch next May 2019.

20 May 2018

Caravan Awning Extensions & Reductions

by Martin Miller | posted in: Caravan, Awning & Tent, Contract Sewing | 0

Awning extension and reductions

*OSS uses Ten-Cate All Seasons Touring high quality 100% polyester coated canvas

*New awning rail piping replaced the old piping as it is now too short for the new awning size.
NOTE: OSS do not recommend extensions over 750mm!
Awning treatment now available:
Mould, Algae, Lichen and Moss Removal & Killer For Caravan Awnings, Boat covers, sails and more.

Awning extension and reductions

Anti-wicking threads keep seams from leaking.
Strong double folded lap seams the same as used in the manufacturing process
Water resistant tape used inside seam and out of sight
new replacement beading/piping included in price for extensions

Alterations up to 750.00mm maximum

Caravan awning extensions - £225
- new replacement beading/piping included in the price for extensions
Caravan awning reductions - Starting from £185

Notes

Order Now and we will contact you within 24 hours to arrange collection

Courier Charges £15.00 Nationwide Please ensure that all items are free from dirt and wildlife. Only dry products can be repaired.

If you require us to dry your product please advise us prior to collection as this may lengthen the time we require to complete our work and return your item to you.

All items will be checked for wear and tear and our clients will be advised of any recommended maintenance work. No additional work will be undertaken without the prior agreement of the charge.

We have the facility to service/repair items from small-bespoke bags to Marquees including garden furniture, canvas and heavy leather products.

Clearly, indicate or take a photo (email) of the area for repair.

3-4 day turn around for those wishing to be back in their caravans for the weekend

12 May 2018

Wet and Forget Awning & Boat cover cleaning

by Martin Miller | posted in: Caravan, Awning & Tent, Contract Sewing, Glamping, Marine & Sails | 0

Wet and Forget Awning & Boat cover cleaning

Cleaning your caravan awning and boat covers is a service OUTDOOR SEWING SOLUTIONS offered some time ago via a thrid party supplier.

Since then we have not been able to find a suitable solution to cleaning Caravan awnings and boat covers.

The biggest challenge is the chemicals used rot the treads and materials also making the materials go brittle.

Wet and forget is not being sold in order to clean dirt off your awning as this can be achieved with soap and warm water.

Wet and Forget removes Mould, Algae, Lichen, and Moss

Suitable for cleaning patios, paths, tarmac, block paving, roofs and tennis courts, in fact, ANY outside surface exposed to rainfall. Kills and removes Moss, Mould, Lichen, and Algae with no need of special equipment, just a good garden sprayer. Wet & Forget helps prevent the damage caused by harsh scouring, scrubbing or water blasting. Unlike bleach-based cleaners, Wet & Forget has an unlimited shelf life.

ELIMINATES HARSH METHODS

Wet & Forget helps prevent the damage caused by the harsh scouring of scrubbing or water blasting.

NO SPECIAL EQUIPMENT

Just use Wet & Forget with a garden sprayer

RESIDUAL EFFECT

Some of the ingredient remains active to prevent premature recontamination.

UNLIMITED SHELF LIFE

Unlike bleach-based cleaners Wet & Forget has an unlimited shelf life even when mixed with water.

Clean Outside Surfaces and Remove Moss with Original Wet and Forget Cleaners

Wet & Forget has a unique combination of biodegradable selective surfactants for Moss, Mould, Lichen and Algae removal on any exterior surface. When diluted with water and applied, it immediately attacks these unsightly contaminants.

Each time it rains, this safe, cleansing combination reactivates to help flush away the Moss, Mould, Lichen and Algae without scouring the surface it has infested. Wet & Forget is a safe and effective way of removing these contaminants from ANY exterior surface. Once applied the wind and the rain will gently takes the decomposing material away bit by bit until the surface is clean.

Non caustic.
Non acidic.
No bleach.
No pressure washing.
No elbow grease.
5L concentrate makes 30L of product. No special equipment required just a good garden sprayer..
Easy to maintain, reapply at the first sign of recontamination.
UNLIMITED shelf life even when mixed with water.

Wet And Forget has a significant presence and use in the yachting and marine leisure environment. We are used by one of the UK's top sail cleaners based in Portsmouth. They apply Wet And Forget as part of their sail laundry process to prevent the build-up of mould, mildew and algae. Wet and Forget achieves this by activating each time the sail or surface becomes wet. This kills the spores that arrive and keeps doing so for up to a year. We are used by the world's biggest super yachts down to the smallest of inflatable boats. Many yacht/boat owners use Wet and Forget as part of their annual algae removal.

Wet and Forget is safe on Dacron, Mylar, Kevlar and Carbon Fibre. It's also great for cleaning sail covers, dodgers and sheets. Because Wet & Forget is a specially formulated surface biocide, it's non-caustic, non-acid and no bleach, means you can use Wet and Forget on ANY outdoor surface. Thereby keeping your yacht/boat or equipment looking like new all year around.

Wet & Forget is used all over the world to keep mariners and harbours clean and safe for their customers. We are used extensively to remove mould and slippery algae from walk ways, slipways, paths and walls. Whether used on wood or concrete. Wet and Forget will keep everything clean and safe for up to a year.

Wet & Forget Outdoor wipes out moss, algae, lichen, mold and mildew on surfaces all around your home with no scrubbing, bleaching or pressure washing needed. Maybe you’ve enjoyed amazing results using Wet & Forget Outdoor to eliminate damaging moss on your roof, or disgusting algae on your deck. But what about messes on your awning? Read on to find out about keeping your awning clean with Wet & Forget Outdoor.

You Love your Awning. You Don’t Love the Mold and Mildew.

Installing an awning is a wonderful way to enjoy some shade during the summer, and create a comfortable spot to relax. But whether your awning is aluminum, canvas, rigid, or retractable, it can fall victim to disgusting growths such as green algae, black algae, moss, lichen, or mold and mildew. Cloth awnings can be particularly vulnerable to mold and mildew because the cloth can hold on to that little bit of moisture that creates the perfect environment for mold and mildew growth. Pretty soon, you can find yourself spending less time relaxing beneath your awning, and more time up on a ladder with a scrub brush and bleach, or fighting with a pressure washer.

The Problem with Bleaching and Pressure Washing

Bleaching and pressure washing are two of the common methods that people turn to when they’re faced with outdoor growths such as moss, lichen, algae, or mold and mildew. But if you use bleach on your awning, you will either have to take it down to scrub it, or climb around on a ladder and scrub the awning. The caustic bleach runoff can kill patches of your lawn, and it can also damage or discolor cloth awnings or speed up wear and tear on the surface of some other types of awnings. A pressure washer makes a muddy mess, and pressure washing risks tearing cloth awnings and can add wear and tear to other awning types. Neither of these methods does anything to prevent the growths from coming right back again, trapping you in an endless cycle of cleaning and re-cleaning. Worst of all, both bleaching and pressure washing leave your awning wet afterwards, which is like rolling out the welcome mat for mold and mildew to start re-growing.

Conquer Awning Stains with Wet & Forget Outdoor

With Wet & Forget Outdoor, you can break free from the cleaning and re-cleaning cycle once and for all. Wet & Forget Outdoor wipes out moss, algae, lichen, and mold and mildew with no bleach or pressure washing needed, and keeps them away for a year or more in most cases. Wet & Forget Outdoor’s gentle, non-caustic formula works with the wind and rain to eliminate stains over time, so it’s safe to use on any type of awning, including cloth awnings. Even the most stubborn mold and mildew is no match for Wet & Forget Outdoor: Judy had tried almost everything and thought she would have to give up and replace her cloth awning, until she discovered Wet & Forget Outdoor. Now she’s one of our biggest fans! And you don’t have to do any scrubbing or rinsing with Wet & Forget Outdoor—just spray and leave.

How to Clean your Awning with Wet & Forget Outdoor

Cleaning your awning with Wet & Forget Outdoor couldn’t be easier. Simply:

Mix 1 part Wet & Forget Outdoor with 5 parts water in a pump-up style garden sprayer.
Spray your awning with the diluted Wet & Forget solution at a time that allows 4 to 5 hours’ drying time before the threat of rain. If your awning is retractable, leave it open for at least 4 to 5 hours to allow the Wet & Forget Outdoor to dry thoroughly.
Get back to enjoying your awning, and let Wet & Forget Outdoor do all the work for you!

If your awning is retractable, leave it open as much as possible to allow Wet & Forget Outdoor to work with the wind and rain to eliminate the stains. Once the stains have disappeared, you can return to your normal routine.

When treating moss, be sure to saturate the moss thoroughly so that the Wet & Forget solution can penetrate the moss’s root-like structures. To treat lichen, follow these special instructions.

2 Apr 2018

What service are you looking for from OUTDOOR SEWING SOLUTIONS

by Martin Miller | posted in: Caravan, Awning & Tent, Contract Sewing, Glamping, Marine & Sails, RS Tera, Uncategorized | 0

We are making it easier for you to find the information you want on our Website by setting up categories.

We have just started this process and with your own requests to our site and on the email we are starting to come up with more and more Blogs with we hope helpful information.

Please see the below categories for the information suitable for you.

More info and categories will come in the future and don't forget to send in your request for more info on your pet subject.

Yacht Keelboat sails

by Martin Miller | posted in: Uncategorized | 0

Keelboat sail repairs and servicing in now available in the North of England.

In our 4th year of trading, OUTDOOR SEWING SOLUTIONS can now offer a full range of sailmaking services for sailing boat up to 50 foot.

With the investment over the winter, we now have the capabilities to service heavier sails for a boat up to 50 foot.

More investment will be made in the future to improve this offer even further.

We have purchased a second-hand Solent sewing machine which has been designed and build for the Medium to heavy range of sails.

With this and our twin needle longarm, there are not many sails we are not able to service.

The list of capabilities for sails is as below.

Yacht KeelBoat sails service and repair for the North of Engalnd

Outdoor Sewing Solutions has invested in a Longarm sewing machine that will do stitch in zig-zag, three step and straight stitch.

The Solent 98-650 Longarm has been purchased for Sail repairs and manufacture.

Solent machine is specially manufactured for the sailmaking industry and will give us Zigzag stitch and triple stitch on light heavy jobs.

This machine will fill a gap in our machine armoury for making one design sails, repairing Mylar and Windsurf sails without the need to roll the sail as tight, therefore risking creasing the materials.

Windsurf repair can now be done more efficiently as well as Myler dinghy sails.

29 Mar 2018

Tents are made out of a wide range of fabrics

by Martin Miller | posted in: Caravan, Awning & Tent, Glamping | 0

At one time tents were simple: They were all made of canvas, a traditional 100 percent cotton fabric. Cotton is a great material for making superior tents, but it’s relatively rare today.

Its main disadvantage is its weight compared to modern, manmade fabrics. But you can’t beat the wonderful smell inside a traditional cotton tent and it’s the best fabric for keeping you cool on hot days and warm during cold nights.

The cotton naturally breathes, so it is less prone to condensation than modern fabrics. As a result, you’ll often find cotton tents don’t bother with inner tents in the sleeping areas.

Why does my new cotton tent leak?

One oddity of cotton canvas can catch out the innocent beginner - brand new cotton tents usually leak!

Sounds drastic, doesn’t it? It isn’t really. New cotton canvas tents need to go through a process called weathering. It's simple to avoid a soaking though, just put up the tent when rain is forecast and wait for the clouds to open.

The tent will get wet, some drips will come through and all the cotton fibers in the weave will swell and nestle into each other. The result? A perfectly waterproof tent and one that will give years and years of good service if it is looked after.

Some tents will need two or three weatherings before every last drip is eliminated. Be patient, those last few drips will go unless of course, there's a hole somewhere that needs to be fixed. You can, speed up the process and replace the rain with a hose pipe or a watering can.

Some cotton tents have a weather-proof coating so don't need weathering. Be careful, though, this may remove the breathability of the fabric which is one of cotton's main advantages.

Larger frame tents and many trailer tents will be made from cotton canvas but will have a heavy Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) coating on the roof to make them strong and waterproof.

The only drawback of this is the added weight and a slight tendency for condensation for form on the plastic coated fabric. Condensation can be a problem with any coated fabric and that’s why ventilation is so important in tents.

Many newcomers to camping mistake condensation for a leaky tent but if you buy a tent with good ventilators and use them correctly your tent should stay dry and comfortable.

This common fabric for tents comes with a variety of different coatings. Many tent manufacturers offer their own coatings with different names.

What you need to look for is a breathable coating that lets air but not moisture through. This fabric is generally more durable than nylon but everything we’ve said about nylon (below) pretty much applies to polyester tent fabrics. Among the factors that make it perhaps the most popular tent fabric is that it doesn’t shrink or get baggy when wet, and it is far less affected by sunlight.

Small tents are often made of nylon. Individual nylon fibers do not absorb water and generally, this means the fabric can be made much lighter.

The cheapest and simplest tents are made from nylon but so are the most expensive tents destined for expedition use, the difference is in the coatings.

Untreated nylon can be used for tents but usually, it will be coated. The coating may be acrylic, polyurethane (PU) or silicone.

Quality and durability of these coatings vary and, as with most things in life, better coatings are more expensive. Acrylic is usually cheapest and silicone, which offers the best protection, is more expensive.

Often the fine weave of a nylon tent will be reinforced with a larger ‘rip-stop’ net pattern in the weave. Think ladies ‘nylons’ (as they used to be called) or tights. Tights ‘ladder’ very easily and you’d hate a similar thing to happen to your tent fabric. The ‘rip-stop’ pattern of thicker threads allows most of the fabric to be extremely thin – and hence lightweight – but the thicker areas prevent a tear ‘laddering’ (or ‘propagating through’) the fabric if a small hole is made in it.

When a nylon tent gets damp the fabric slackens, so you may need to tighten your guy lines to keep it in good shape.

Nylon is attacked by ultraviolet light so strong sunlight can shorten the life of your tent. Special light filter coatings reduce this effect but long exposure on bright summer days will still reduce the life of a nylon tent.

No tent fabric is fireproof. Today most tent makers claim their fabrics are fire retardant but all tents will burn and most will burn remarkably quickly.

That’s the reason you should never use any equipment with open flames in a tent and, however romantic you think it may be, never, ever use candles in or near a tent.

If your tent does catch fire there is only one thing to do. Get everybody out and get clear of the tent as quickly as possible. Save yourself and worry about the tent later.

Traditional tent campers adopt an excellent habit – they all keep a fire-bucket full of water or sand outside their tent. Nothing is more effective if a tent does catch fire than half a dozen good neighbors each throwing their own bucket of water on the blaze.

The Club has a rule that units should always be 6 meters apart from each other. The law states that all units should be no closer than 3 metres apart to help prevent fires from spreading.

28 Mar 2018

Caravan Awning Extensions & Reductions

by Martin Miller | posted in: Caravan, Awning & Tent | 0

Caravan awning extensions & reductions

Awning extension and reductions
Anti-wicking threads keep seams from leaking.
Strong double folded lap seams the same as used in the manufacturing process
Water resistant tape used inside seam and out of sight
new replacement beading/piping included in the price for extensions

Alterations up to 750.00mm maximum
Caravan awning extensions - £225
new replacement beading/piping included in the price for extensions
Caravan awning reductions - Starting from £185

All work has a 12-month warranty
UK wide collection and delivery
Anti-wicking threads

Awning and Tent repairs

Repairs from £35 or talk to us and we can supply options for you to do the repair at home yourself saving even more money.

Preseason servicing

Service your awning prior to winter storage.
Book service in prior to pre-season rush. Prices start at £60.00 plus materials.
Winter storage, see our Blog

27 Mar 2018

Holiday closure dates

by Martin Miller | posted in: Caravan, Awning & Tent, Contract Sewing, Glamping, Marine & Sails, RS Feva, RS Tera, Uncategorized | 0

27 Mar 2018

Flyers are now available

by Martin Miller | posted in: Caravan, Awning & Tent, Contract Sewing, Glamping, Marine & Sails, RS Feva, RS Tera, Uncategorized | 0

Author Archives: Martin Miller

Sewing capabilities

Take a Tour

Zip manufacture

Bar Taking

Sewing capabilities

Gazebo from the inside

Gazebo from the outdise

Beth Miller Sailing"s Blog is now Live www.bethmillersailing.co.uk

2018 results

Beth, who competed under the New Zealand flag (at organizers request to increase nation's participation) of her dad Martin's native country

Race 7 Beth 1st round the top mark, 2nd overall.

Beth second around top mark, Second overall.

Worlds Prize giving & speech

RS Tera World Championship 2018

BBC Look North Interview

2019

Awning extension and reductions

Awning extension and reductions

Alterations up to 750.00mm maximum

"Hi Martin Hope the images of the work are ok, also to let you know we had constant rain all night on Sat and NO leaks on any of the seams, good job with this, thanks, Rosie Forrest."

What awning size is right for your caravan

Notes

NEW

Awning & Tent treatment service for Mould, Algae, Lichen and Moss Removal £95.00

ELIMINATES HARSH METHODS

NO SPECIAL EQUIPMENT

RESIDUAL EFFECT

UNLIMITED SHELF LIFE

Clean Outside Surfaces and Remove Moss with Original Wet and Forget Cleaners

Buy Now

Boat & Sail Cleaner Using Wet and Forget on your Yacht or Marina

Conquer Awning Stains with Wet & Forget Outdoor

You Love your Awning. You Don’t Love the Mold and Mildew.

The Problem with Bleaching and Pressure Washing

Conquer Awning Stains with Wet & Forget Outdoor

How to Clean your Awning with Wet & Forget Outdoor

What service are you looking for from OUTDOOR SEWING SOLUTIONS

Categories

Longarm sewing machine, zig-zag, three step and straight stitch

Solent long arm sewing Machine

Highlead Long Arm

Phaff Six step sewing machine

Brother sewing machine

20 Tonne Press

Tents are made out of a wide range of fabrics these days, not just traditional canvas. Below you'll find details and benefits of each.

PVC coated canvas tents

Polycotton canvas tents

Polyester tents

Nylon tents

A tent on fire

What awning size is right for your caravan

"Hi Martin
Hope the images of the work are ok, also to let you know we had constant rain all night on Sat and NO leaks on any of the seams, good job with this, thanks, Rosie Forrest."