As of right now everything I'm producing tends to fit inside of Size 5 (10.5" x 15") padded mailers and those tend to work out just fine. I've got one more box of them to go through and I'd like to look at what other options are out there. My finished goods are flexible and lightweight and looking at how some of the mainstream bag companies are shipping their goods, I've seen a number of them using these poly mailers https://www.amazon.com/Metronic-Envelopes-Shipping-Waterproof-Tear-proof/dp/B00OLOGXWU/ Which are 1/4 the price of the bubble mailers and seem like a good value for shipping softer stuff. I've even gotten a Timbuk2 backpack direct from them shipped in one of these types of mailers. Theirs had some nice artwork on the outside of the packaging that was a complete bike map of San Francisco - nice touch.

Would love to hear what others are using to ship their finished goods, and whether domestic/international shipping plays a role in what you choose. Thanks!

I currently have a Singer 111W113 with clutch motor which does a decent job but I'm starting to ponder what my upgrade path looks like.  I've added a nicely restored Singer 201-2 for doing lightweight sub-assembly ops and that's drastically improved my productivity and efficiency. For main seam construction and binding I'd like to move to something that's got a reverse gear, servo, bigger bobbin and ideally something that is better for binding. I have a proper right angle binder and feet set for the 111W but compound curves are a bit challenging on a flatbed.

Considering I'm a hobbyist gearmaker who is only doing a little bit of for-profit work, would my dollars be better spent adding a cylinder arm or swapping the 111W for something like a Juki LU563? I occasionally have a access to a 1541S so I know how good things can be when you've got a proper modern machine but I think the 1541S is going to be out of my price range for now. Would love to stay under $1000. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

I'm merely a hobbyist at this stuff so a lot of material I've collected are shorter cuts of fabric from eBay and elsewhere (Most < 10yds) and shipped to me folded. I'm looking to store them properly on rolls. Outside of buying a caseload from Uline, I only found one carbon fiber supply shop selling 62" 1.75" dia tubes for $1.75/ea. About double that price when shipping is considered.
https://compositeenvisions.com/cardboard-fabric-tube-1-75-inner-diameter-x-62-long-951.html

Is this about the best I can do or are there better sources for such items?

Thanks all!