Now Hiring – Canvas & Upholstery Shop Assistant / Apprentice Company: True Stitch Canvas & Upholstery Inc.

Location:
Napanee, Ontario

Job Type
Full-Time / Part-Time Pay: Based on experience and qualifications

Experience:
No experience necessary – Willing to train the right candidate About Our Company True Stitch Canvas & Upholstery Inc. is a growing custom canvas and upholstery company specializing in marine canvas fabrication, boat upholstery, custom enclosures, seat repairs, and a variety of residential, commercial, and recreational upholstery projects. We take pride in delivering high-quality craftsmanship, attention to detail, and professional service to our customers throughout Kingston, Belleville, Napanee, and surrounding areas. As our business continues to grow, we are looking for a dependable, motivated, and hardworking individual to join our team. No previous upholstery or sewing experience is required. We are willing to provide hands-on training to someone who is eager to learn and develop a long-term career in the canvas and upholstery industry.

Job Description
As a Canvas & Upholstery Shop Assistant / Apprentice, you will work directly alongside experienced staff and assist with the day-to-day operations of our shop. This is a hands-on position involving everything from disassembling boat seats and preparing materials to assisting with custom canvas fabrication, sewing, installations, and completing customer projects. The successful candidate will gradually learn the skills necessary to independently complete upholstery repairs and custom fabrication projects. Daily Responsibilities 1. Shop Preparation & Organization
- Open and prepare work areas for daily projects.
- Keep workbenches, cutting tables, equipment, and tools clean and organized.
- Maintain an organized inventory of fabrics, marine vinyl, foam, hardware, and supplies.
- Assist with unloading and organizing incoming materials.
- Clean up work areas and dispose of scrap materials at the end of each day.
- Ensure tools and equipment are stored properly. 2. Upholstery Removal & Disassembly
- Remove old upholstery from boat seats, pontoon furniture, ATV/UTV seats, snowmobile seats, and other projects.
- Carefully remove staples, screws, fasteners, and existing coverings.
- Disassemble seat cushions, backrests, and furniture components.
- Inspect seat frames, foam, and wooden bases for damage.
- Label and organize components to ensure proper reassembly.
- Prepare surfaces for new upholstery. 3. Foam Cutting & Seat Preparation
- Assist with measuring, cutting, and shaping upholstery foam.
- Learn how to repair and rebuild damaged seat cushions.
- Install new foam, padding, and protective materials.
- Prepare seat bases and backrests for upholstery installation.
- Assist with replacing damaged plywood and other seat components.
- Learn proper foam shaping and finishing techniques. 4. Fabric & Material Preparation
- Measure and cut marine-grade vinyl, Sunbrella, canvas, and other upholstery materials.
- Assist with laying out patterns and marking materials for cutting.




- Learn how to identify different marine fabrics and their applications.
- Help match material colours and prepare multi-colour upholstery projects.
- Prepare zippers, binding, webbing, snaps, and other hardware for fabrication.
- Minimize material waste through accurate measurements and careful cutting. 5. Sewing & Custom Fabrication *Training will be provided.
*
- Learn to operate industrial sewing machines.
- Practice straight stitching, seam allowances, and basic upholstery sewing techniques.
- Assist with sewing boat seat covers, cushions, canvas panels, and other projects.
- Learn how to install zippers, binding, piping, and reinforcement materials.
- Help fabricate custom boat covers, bimini tops, mooring covers, and camper enclosures.
- Assist with pattern making and custom fitting.
- Gradually take on more advanced sewing and fabrication responsibilities as skills develop. 6. Upholstery Installation & Finishing
- Assist with stretching and fitting new upholstery onto seat frames.
- Learn proper stapling, fastening, and finishing techniques.
- Reassemble completed boat seats and furniture.
- Check completed projects for loose stitching, wrinkles, improper fit, or imperfections.
- Clean and prepare finished projects for customer pickup.
- Help maintain the high-quality standards expected from our shop. 7. Marine Canvas & On-Site Installations
- Assist with measuring boats for custom canvas projects.
- Help install and remove boat tops, covers, frames, and enclosures.
- Learn how to install snaps, fasteners, zippers, and marine hardware.
- Assist with fitting and adjusting custom canvas products.
- Travel to customer locations, marinas, or boat storage facilities when required.
- Help load and unload tools, equipment, and completed projects. 8. General Shop & Customer Project Support
- Assist with moving boats, seats, furniture, and materials safely around the shop.
- Help prepare upcoming customer jobs.
- Report damaged materials, missing hardware, or project concerns.
- Follow instructions and complete assigned tasks efficiently.
- Work cooperatively to meet customer deadlines.
- Occasionally assist with other custom projects as required. What We're Looking For We are not necessarily looking for someone who already knows the trade. We are looking for someone with the right attitude, reliability, and willingness to learn. Ideal candidates will have:
- A strong work ethic and positive attitude.
- Dependable attendance and punctuality.
- Good attention to detail.
- A willingness to learn new skills and accept instruction.
- The ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Basic knowledge of hand tools or a willingness to learn.
- Good hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity.
- The ability to take accurate measurements.




- The ability to perform physical tasks, including lifting and moving materials.
- A commitment to keeping the workplace clean, organized, and safe. Experience That Would Be an Asset The following experience is beneficial but not required:
- Industrial sewing machine operation.
- Upholstery or furniture repair.
- Marine canvas fabrication.
- Automotive upholstery.
- Carpentry or woodworking.
- Experience with power tools.
- Boat maintenance or marine-related work.
- Manufacturing, fabrication, or other hands-on trades.

What We Offer
- Hands-on training in a specialized skilled trade.
- Opportunities to learn industrial sewing, upholstery, and custom canvas fabrication.
- Experience working on boats, recreational vehicles, and unique custom projects.
- A variety of daily tasks rather than repetitive assembly-line work.
- Opportunities for increased responsibility as your skills improve.
- A supportive, small-business working environment.
- The opportunity to grow with an expanding company.
- The satisfaction of seeing projects progress from start to finish. A Typical Day in Our Shop Morning: Begin by organizing the shop, reviewing current projects, preparing tools and materials, and working on seat disassembly or other assigned preparation tasks. Mid-Morning: Assist with cutting foam, preparing patterns, measuring materials, or removing old upholstery from customer projects. Afternoon: Work alongside experienced staff on sewing, fabrication, seat recovering, or custom canvas installations. Some days may involve travelling to a marina or customer location to assist with measurements and fitting. End of Day: Complete assigned tasks, organize materials, clean workstations, and prepare projects for the following day. Every day can be different depending on the projects we have in the shop. Why Join True Stitch Canvas & Upholstery Inc.? Marine canvas and upholstery is a specialized trade that combines creativity, technical ability, precision, and hands-on craftsmanship. We believe the right attitude and willingness to learn are just as valuable as previous experience. We are looking for someone who wants more than just a temporary job — someone who is interested in learning a trade, taking pride in their work, and potentially growing into a skilled upholsterer or canvas fabricator. If you enjoy working with your hands, building things, learning recent skills, and seeing the results of your hard work, we encourage you to apply.

How to Apply
Apply directly through Indeed with your resume and a brief introduction explaining why you would be interested in learning the canvas and upholstery trade. True Stitch Canvas & Upholstery Inc. Phone: (phone hidden) Email: [email protected] Website: www.true-stitch.ca *Built for performance, crafted to last.
* True Stitch Canvas & Upholstery Inc. is committed to fair and respectful hiring practices. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply. Pay: $17.60-$29.37 per hour

Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company events
- Flexible schedule
- On-site parking Work

Location:
In person

📌 Fabricator/ labourer (Greater Napanee)
🏢 true stitch canvas and upholstery
📍 Greater Napanee