Making a Living: Coming together at the seams
Barbara Margraff, owner of Custom Upholstery by Barbara Margraff in Warminster, initially resisted her mother's sewing machine due to a belief that it would always break when she was near it. After earning a horticulture degree from Delaware Valley University and managing flower shops for 15 years, Margraff's perspective on upholstery shifted in her early 20s when she asked her mother to teach her how to reupholster furniture for her first apartment. This newfound skill evolved from a side hobby into a full-time profession as her talent became widely recognized.
In 1997, Margraff made the decision to establish her own business, Custom Upholstery by Barbara Margraff, in Warminster with minimal capital. Her business has since flourished, primarily through referrals, handling a variety of furniture pieces such as stools, pillows, cushions, couches, and ottomans for private homes. Her work has garnered a clientele that spans across various states and even internationally, including Florida, California, Wyoming, and Australia. The growing demand for her services has, at times, resulted in a three-month waiting list.
Beyond traditional home upholstery, Margraff has shared her expertise by teaching sewing classes at local stores and collaborating with interior designers on numerous projects. One of her most distinctive experiences involved reupholstering the interiors of military helicopters. In 2004, a private helicopter company in Blooming Glen enlisted her to work on large ex-military aircraft. Unlike typical aircraft with fiberglass interiors, these helicopters featured blanketed vinyl interiors designed to be easily lifted for mechanical access. Margraff's role was to address the unworkable nature of these original pieces and develop effective solutions.
Despite initial apprehension regarding the complexity of the helicopter projects, Margraff's persistent collaboration with the hangar team over a decade led to the evolution of innovative solutions. While she no longer works with the helicopter company, she credits this experience with enhancing her ability to tackle unusual upholstery challenges. Diane Strassle, a long-term customer from Buckingham, attests to Margraff's exceptional craftsmanship, highlighting her precision in aligning patterns and designs.
Margraff attributes her keen eye for pattern and design to her background in floral arrangements, where she developed an understanding of how elements should visually integrate. She views her work as an artistic pursuit, striving for perfection in every detail to ensure that each piece is flawlessly executed. The constant variation in projects, similar to her experiences in the flower business and with helicopter interiors, provides the ongoing challenge that motivates her in her craft.
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