Ever wondered where the biodegradable body bags come from to get buried at sea? No? Well there is a business that will make almost anything you want from canvas - including something to wear to your own funeral.

Sew What Shop normally makes awnings, biminis and sail covers, but during the last four years since Lexi West set up the business they have had several requests for body bags.

"They have to be biodegradable, you see,'' she told The Royal Gazette.

"So they are made out of canvas. These are some of the more bizarre jobs we have been asked to do. We also occasionally make coffin liners as well. These are things that have got to be made and somebody has to make them.

"The body bags are long canvas with a zip up the top, so you put a weight in the bottom at the feet and the zip is at the head. We have only made about four of them. It has got to be biodegradable to go into the sea, which is where the canvas comes in."

Sew What is one of the minnows of the small but thriving marine canvas trade on the Island. But after a boom in trade, the company is about to make a bid to move into the big league.

Sew What, which is based in Shelly Bay, is poised to move into the same league as the two largest marine trimmings businesses.

"I would like to expand the business," said Ms West, who has become well-known is sailing circles for what is seen as reasonably priced work. "There is so much work out there to be done, it is never quiet. Our goal is to serve the whole Island."

Several months ago she took on Daryl Sheffield, a New Zealand marine trimmings expert with 20 years in the business. And now she is looking for young Bermudians to get into the trade and help her expand her business.

"We would like to train Bermudians up. We are one of the few businesses that actually makes something in Bermuda. It is very satisfying and is a well-respected profession."

Around the world there are guild training courses at varying levels of trade certificates for professionals in the field.

Ms West said her growing business is doing a roaring trade, and that they would like to be able to expand on the Island, taking them up the ranks of the sector right to the top.

Their busiest seasons are just before holidays such as Cup Match, Labour Day and Bermuda Day.

Ms West said: "You think you are doing a lot of work and getting along well, and then there is a rush on and we get lots more work. We do everything from boats as big as the Longtail (we did that last summer) to the small Whalers."

The marine trimmings business also decks out the inside of boats, making cushion covers, mattress covers and even curtains for the miniature furniture on boats.

"We will make almost anything that is to do with soft furnishings and goes on a boat. We have also made canvas awnings for people's houses, that kind of thing."

One of the reasons for her growing trade is the lower prices she charges customers. She said: "Working out of my house keeps the cost down. There is plenty of space to do the work and the customers know you."

In her small workshop she and Mr. Sheffield sew and stretch the canvas into shape. There is no air conditioning and when it gets too hot, they just jump over the wall into Shelly Bay.

"It just gets too hot to work sometimes, so you have to cool down. Some people think it is strange that when they come round they find us floating in the water, but, well, that is the way we do it. But I like to work very early in the morning, and finish my day early. Daryl comes in later and works later, so it works out very well."

Ms West, who has been working in marine trimmings for 18 years obviously does not spend a great deal of time floating aimlessly in the sea, as customers keep coming through her door.

She said: "I used to work at another company, but then I thought I would branch out on my own. It was hard at first as I didn't have any stock. I asked people for a down payment and then would buy the material to do the work. Finally you build up stock and you are busy all year round.

"We have a lot of business now. Most of it is word of mouth from our customers and we are growing. We would like to move up and get bigger, and we are heading that way now."