The Sandwich Sign and Our Vehicles

Cedar Key Canvas was opened in 1986 and while it has moved around the town a bit, it has been in continuous operation. Our current location is right on State Road 24 (the only road into town) and the first inkling of our existance is our bright yellow sandwich sign. We hand cut and sew all of the canvas totes, bags, duffles and handbags that you see on this site.

Hand cut means that each bag ordered from this site is cut and sewn individually for the order - we don't have a machine that cuts through several layers of cloth, which would allow for stock piling and would affect the quality of the finished product.

Julie started working at CKC in 1993 as the cutter and in 2009 joined with Sharon to own the business. The quality of your purse or duffle is very dependent on cutting the cloth on the straight of its grain. If the cut is not on the grain, it's difficult get a straight seam line along the straight of the piece, and any embroidery or monogramming may go awry. She is expert at seeing the grain in each yard of canvas. She also checks for any flaws or creases, and makes sure your pattern doesn't include them.

Cutting tapestry involves the art of seeing and using the repeat of the pattern, if there is one. Our Birds tapestry is a good example of one having a repeat with a central figure. Acutally there are two big birds either of which makes a great focal point on a purse. Our other tapestries have overall patterns - the Camo print and the Men's Tie tapestry come to mind.

Julie does the day-to-day managing/bookkeeping of the store as well. If you call Cedar Key any weekday, you'll probably be talking to Julie. She is a real expert when it comes to advising which canvas' go with which tapestries. She also an expert at the embroidery machine.

Sharon is our seamstress. She had years of experience before coming to this shop in 1995 -- and it shows in the strength of seams. The bag she's working on in the photo is a zipped Catch-All. Sharon became co-owner with Julie in 2009 and so in addition to making all the bags she also minds the shop on occasion, and takes orders over the phone.

The machine Sharon is using is an Adler, a heavy industrial model. Our machines are basic - they stitch forward and backward. Nothing fancy, so shortcuts are impossible. We try to pay attention to every detail, such as binding all the seams to pervent raveling and using the 'barrel' technique with our webbing for strength.

Sharon is also a very talented quilter. She and her sister have a sideline -
2 Sisters N Stitches. On Festival weekends and other occasions we have her quilts in the carpark for sale. She also paints all the signs!

And as the photo illustrates, thhere is always something to be worked on - but what would life in Cedar Key be without chocolate?