DIY Canvas Work

[mcrow33]

I don't sew or know nothing about sewing but have been thinking about making my own dodger and bimini. I have the machine and just got it tuned up and the repair shop said that the machine will handle the work. My thought is to take my old dodger and bimini and take them apart and use the pieces as a pattern to cutout the new pieces. I think the other option is send measurement to sailrite and they will create a pattern. Or is the whole idea stupid and I should just pay a canvas shop thousand of dollars? Anybody tackle this job?

 

[dlochner]

Well, I haven't tried this yet. The Bimini will be an easier job and less costly if it gets screwed up. Then you can make all kinds of winch covers.

I'm pretty sure that Sailrite has some videos on how to do this. Buying some cheap patterning material might be helpful. The part that looks most challenging is installing the zippers and attaching the snaps to the deck for the dodger.

Take photos, keep us posted.

 

[SailormanDan]

Before I knew any better, I used my old vinyl bimini as a pattern and it turned out a little loose in places, if you go that route keep that in mind - to look before you take it off and mark it/take lots of photos so you can see where it's loose or needs adjusting. Keep the old one to see how it's put together. Sailrite has videos that will help and pretty much everything you need to put one together. They sell Dura-skrim for patterning, that probably gets mentioned somewhere on their site. Patterning is key to getting a good looking project. Zippers can be a challenge the first couple of times, the snaps will require a tool and die, I have both the kind you pound with a hammer and then upgraded to the Pres-N-Snap, pricey but well worth it if you are doing a lot of snaps or grommets.
Pictures are always welcome.

 

[Ward H]

+ 1 on Sailrite. Plenty of instructional videos.
I was cautioned by an upholsterer to be careful using old canvas as a pattern as it will have stretched.
I'm in the process of restitching my old dodger and will be replacing the windows next.
When I'm ready to make a new one I plan to copy the design of the old one but use the Dura-skrim SailormanDan mentions for pattern making.

 

[Will Gilmore]

My mother taught me how to use a standard Singer sewing machine and it is important to keep tension on your work and not get impatient and go too fast. Straight seems really make a difference. It isn't really that hard, but practice on something first. It is the massive pile of extra material that is the hardest part to deal with.

I am planning a cockpit boom tent for Dragonfly. I have the light weight fly from an old 8 man tent to use. Not the same material as the heavy stuff you will use, but the logistics are similar.

- Will (Dragonfly)

 

[CloudDiver]

You are on the right track for sure. The only thing between your goal vs. spending thousands of dollars to hire out the job is your willingness to practice, learn, and develop a valuable skill/craft. The great thing is, already mentioned above, there are so many more instructional videos out there to guide you than just 5 years ago. With that kind of inspirational and instructional guidance you shouldn't fear taking on a new project. Plus, I also agree with starting with more simple projects like a Bimini, then winch covers... the more simple patterns will hone your ability to get into the more complex cushion covers and then the dodger.

 

[dlochner]

It is the massive pile of extra material that is the hardest part to deal with

This is a major issue. I've done a few large projects, managing the material can be a challenge.

Things that help are lots of spring clamps to keep the fabric sort of under control and a large flat surface after the sewing machine to give the fabric somewhere to go with out twisting and turning.

Visit a sail loft or look at photos of a loft. The loft floor is usually at the same level as the sewing machine. This allows the fabric to stay level and makes it easier to move.

 

[Rich Stidger]

mcrow33 - You don't mention what sewing machine you have but if you want good results with the heavy, multiple-layer stitching it needs to be a walking foot model. If your is not that type, I would not attempt the job. Additionally, a bimini or a dodger is not the best project to tackle for your first project. I have not done either one of these but I have done extensive repairs, re-stitching, zipper installation, and other small jobs. It looks easy when watching a video, but I found it harder to do myself. I have repaired my dodger, bimini, sails, and my big winter cover using a SailRite Ultrafeed machine. It does take practice if you want results that look professional. Machine adjustments, thread tension, sewing speed are all variables that need to be exactly right for great results.

If you are determined, my advice would be to educate yourself with the applicable SailRite videos and start with the bimini project. Use scrap material to stitch similar edges and seams that will be on the bimini so that when you work on the prime material you will have already learned the steps and seen where there could be problems.
It is very satisfying to make and repair your own stuff. But the time involved is substantial. I think these projects are best done in the off season, so it may be too late to start them now for this summer.

So IMHO, it is not a stupid idea, but you do need to understand the undertaking. If there is another sailor near you who has done this kind of work, go and watch and pick his/her brain.

 

[mcrow33]

Thanks for all the suggestions and advice. I will keep you all posted if I get the guts to try this. Thanks

 

[Johnb]

When we had a new dodger made we were told that most of the cost ($3500) was in the measuring, frame and fitting and that when we needed them, new windows and canvas would seem cheap! I have to believe that the dodger is the trickiest of all to get right. Perhaps you should get a quote before taking you decision.

 

[Siamese]

Ditto on what Rich Stidger had to say. Without a walking foot, no way. Yeah, there are people that will say it's okay, but....

And, ditto on not using the old one for a pattern. Make a pattern per the way Sailrite says to do it.

What machine do you have?

 

[Sumner]

.... and a large flat surface after the sewing machine to give the fabric somewhere to go with out twisting and turning....

Good point ...

... we have a 4' X 8' table for cutting and it ...

... along with a table that wraps around the sewing machine provides a place for the material to go to. You are going to need room to tackle a dodger and bimini.

Ruth and I did the dodger and the bimini for the Endeavour along with numerous other projects for both. They were both big projects taking 3-4 weeks of 4 hour days or so. One advantage to doing it yourself is adding features that would drive the cost up if you paid to have them done. We have done that on all of our projects. I really enjoy designing, laying out and sewing these projects but it isn't for everyone. Also don't expect the finish project to look quite as good as someone who makes a living at it. Still there is a big reward in doing it yourself.

Lots more on our projects here ....

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/macgregor-canvas/canvas-index.html

Sumner
==============================================================================
1300 miles to The Bahamas and Back in the Mac...
Endeavour 37 Mods...
MacGregor 26-S Mods...http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/endeavour-main/endeavour-index.html
Mac Trips to Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Canada, Florida, Bahamas

 

[MitchM]

i've been sewing my own canvas projects for years with a sail rite walking foot.. but when it came to making a replacement for my complicated dodger , i had a real local pro do the job--cost-- $2500, which got me 2 stainless handholds, front window with 3 zippers, and roll tabs, side windows with sunbrella standoffs to keep windows from burning on frame, zipper to a connecting piece to link it to bimini... The jobs i feel capable of doing, and have done well, are 2 boat covers, boat cushions with covers, chair re upholstery, small sails, riding sails, cockpit awnings, sun screens, gear bags, home window shades, front pilothouse phifertex sun screen, custom fitted boat sheets...(and one wedding dress.)

 

[justsomeguy]

I used my old vinyl bimini as a pattern and it turned out a little loose in places

Better than too tight.

 

[gettinthere]

Ditto on what Rich Stidger had to say. Without a walking foot, no way. Yeah, there are people that will say it's okay, but....

And, ditto on not using the old one for a pattern. Make a pattern per the way Sailrite says to do it.

What machine do you have?

With no previous canvas experience AND with an old Kenmore NON walking foot; my wife did an excellent job replacing our old worn out bimini as well as all the windows. It CAN be done, relatively easily.

 

[SFS]

Better than too tight.

Unless you are talking about the wedding dress.

 

[Will Gilmore]

Just a thought from someone who knows not of what he speaks. There are fabric glues and tape as well as a good iron to shape seams before they are sewn. One might be able to pre assemble parts or whole before sewing makes it all fast.

- Will (Dragonfly)

 

[gettinthere]

Just a thought from someone who knows not of what he speaks. There are fabric glues and tape as well as a good iron to shape seams before they are sewn. One might be able to pre assemble parts or whole before sewing makes it all fast.

- Will (Dragonfly)

Sailrite sells 'basting tape' which is a double sided tape that holds your seams while you sew. Works great.

 

[rpwillia]

I made a new dodger and bimini using my old ones as patterns. Ripped out the stitches and then used them to cut out the new ones. To keep things straight used a plain old stapler to stapler things together along with double sticky back sewing tape. Friend had a Sailrite machine and that is essential as those machines are beasts. Will second about what others said about if you do it yourself you can add features you might be hesitant to have a canvas shop do. On my dodger I had previously added stainless steel handholds to the frame, but I also made it so all of the windows on the dodger zip out so on those hot days or when racing we can leave the dodger roof up with no windows at all underneath.

 

[Meriachee]

Just a thought from someone who knows not of what he speaks. There are fabric glues and tape as well as a good iron to shape seams before they are sewn.

I wouldn't take an iron to Sunbrella.