Robert Floyd of Bill’s Auto Upholstery in Lawton, Oklahoma was recently profiled on local ABC 7 News for his inspiring stitch work — not on cars, but American flags.
In addition to his trim work, Robert has found a unique niche within the Lawton community repairing Old Glory. And he’s not just stitching household flags. In fact, the bulk of his work is done on those giant house-size flags that car dealerships, public parks and government buildings fly.
ABC 7 News explains:
For the last 25 years, Floyd has been repairing American flags at his automotive upholstery shop in Lawton.
“We haven’t even raised our price when doing them because I feel like it’s part of my patriotic duty repairing flags and letting people get them back flying again,” Floyd said.
Floyd repairs about one flag per month.
“We take very much care and never let them touch the ground. Keep them on the table, trim them up and get them back to the customer,” Floyd explained.
The flag he was working on belongs to Buffalo Soldier Plaza, which is one of the largest flags Floyd repairs. The flag is 30 feet by 60 feet. […]
Floyd says he will make four passes on the edge of this flag, which takes him about an hour to complete.
“The massive size of it, trying to work with it and get it spread out where you can get it straightened up,” Floyd said.
He uses thread that is made of nylon that is lightly waxed to keep its strength, so that the flag will be able to fly high in the air once again.
While Robert isn’t in the flag-repair business to make big money, it’s interesting to note the budgets allocated to maintaining such large flags. Buffalo Soldier Plaza, for example, earmarks $30,000 per year to repair and purchase new flags.
To read the full article, and perhaps discover a new opportunity, see: “Upholsterer keeps American flag in top condition.”
Talk to us: Aside from car interiors, have you developed a unique niche for repairing odd items at your auto upholstery shop? If so, tell us about it in the comments section below.
I get holsters, motorcycle leathers, and the occasional backpack coming through my doors for repair. My shop is in a rural area not far from glacier national park though, so all 3 of those items are common everyday goods for folks out here.
Yeah, that totally makes sense given your proximity to the park. I bet you probably get tents too.
I have recently started doing repairs for carnival ball pits and to add safety padding in much needed areas