Zach Vose of Z's Sew Shop (Nampa, ID)
What does being an upholsterer mean to you?
To me, upholstery has always been a mix of artistry and problem solving. It is a great feeling bringing people's vision of a project to life and also getting paid to do it.
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How did you get started in upholstery?
My father owned a business restoring antique furniture. I started working there around the age of twelve. Back then it was just a summer job that I never took seriously. One day it became what I was known for.
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What types of upholstery do you do?
I spent the majority of my career working on marine weather covers and boat upholstery. It was not until recently that some close friends pushed me to try my hand at classic vehicle restoration. I have been enjoying that so far, but I am still learning.
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How long have you been upholstering?
I worked for other companies for over 20 years, and I’ve had the fantastic opportunity to work for myself for the past 3 years!
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What is your biggest consumer demand?
Classic cars have been the most popular by far.
What is your favorite upholstery project you've done?
A private yacht company I used to work for had us build custom covers for their Long-Range Acoustic Device (LRAD). These were used as a pirate deterrent when out at sea.
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What is the strangest item you've found in a restoration?
Old money, Silver coins. I found a 1928 gold coin in an old wingback chair once!
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Have you noticed any up & coming trends?
Nothing in particular. Every job that comes through my shop is custom to fit the customers’ needs and vision. I have had the benefit of working closely with current and previous employers on the digital side of things, making digital patterns and working with automated machines. If you are building anything that is repeatable, this is a must.
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What changes would benefit the upholstery industry?
A general interest from younger people that want to learn a trade.
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Have you ever been featured on television, online, or in another Publication?
A general interest from younger people that want to learn a trade.
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Do you have a shop animal?
Yes, a chihuahua named Pancho. He likes to bark a lot so he only hangs out sometimes.
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Some answers have been edited for clarity.
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