My point is, don't get caught in this sort of situation. If you can't fill their requirements, don't take job on. Not all customers realize what they are doing when they ask for something to be done. They don't realize time it takes, work involved or know how required to make a quality product on time. It is your job, as seamstress, to explain this to potential customer. Your quality of work is what will set you apart from all others. The impression you leave with customer, good or bad, stays with them. Always remember that.

I could go on and on about pitfalls of sewing for others, this is just a reminder to not underestimate yourself or to let customer talk you into something you are not sure of. Remember, you are in drivers seat.

Both hardwood and softwood can be used for both indoor and outdoor applications but some are more resistant to UV and moisture then others. These are ones that should be chosen when being used outside.

These particular species have natural oils and resins that fill cells of wood and provide, in some cases, very good protection against rot and insects. Species like cedar for example last for decades in direct contact with ground while spruce would be rotten in under 5 years.

Of course cedar is a softwood and is used a lot throughout furniture and house construction industry. However, some hardwoods also have very good resistance to rot and insects. Species like teak and mahogany are used a lot in tropics for boat construction, but since cost of these exotic hardwood species is so much in North America we tend to use softwood in outdoor applications.

Another important factor is whether or not you want you intend to use a clear finish or paint to protect your project. Cedar needs to be sealed to prevent oils from leaching through paint. Some species of hardwood like poplar and birch are great for accepting paint but have a tendency to blotch when stain is applied.