Hey all, I'm thinking of doing a few sewing projects for my boat, and was considering trying it on my own - pre-made stuff that seems real simple is pretty costly. I'm not talking about making a Dodger or anything, just simple stuff like privacy curtains, side skirts, etc. Maybe a bag to use as a pedestal cover. I am, however, looking at using sunbrella fabric for at least some things. Can I get away with a simple sewing machine from Wal-Mart that says "Can sew through several layers of denim" or do I need one of these monsters that they sell at SailRite? Any experience would be appreciated. Thanks, AndyS
Any experienced with sewing?
- Thread starter Andy26M
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Maybe
Andy, I used to work at an upholestry shop sewing marine stuff. You could probably go through the fabric but it might not be the best of stitches. I have one of the Sailrite's machines. It is well worth the money for every job you will do on the boat. For sail repair you do need the zigzag machine. I would go for the Sailrite. It would be worth the savings in time over the Wm machine. Hope that helps. Happy sails, Tony
Andy, I used to work at an upholestry shop sewing marine stuff. You could probably go through the fabric but it might not be the best of stitches. I have one of the Sailrite's machines. It is well worth the money for every job you will do on the boat. For sail repair you do need the zigzag machine. I would go for the Sailrite. It would be worth the savings in time over the Wm machine. Hope that helps. Happy sails, Tony
some 2nd hand info
I have a friend who is sewing me sunbrella covers for the cabin. (going over the existing foam and cover). its is hard stuff to work with. she is using double stick tape to hold the material together. (problem w/ pins holding folds) and she is using an old kenmore sewing machine. however she did damage the bobin ($60 to repair) by pullin the material thru the machine. sailrite is good source for info, ebay for sunbrella. a few cusions are done, and they are a little stiff. but much better than before, should wear well. just go slow with the sewing, and get a few yards to start with. also you want the right sewing thread... that will hold up to the sun. so, yes it can be done.
I have a friend who is sewing me sunbrella covers for the cabin. (going over the existing foam and cover). its is hard stuff to work with. she is using double stick tape to hold the material together. (problem w/ pins holding folds) and she is using an old kenmore sewing machine. however she did damage the bobin ($60 to repair) by pullin the material thru the machine. sailrite is good source for info, ebay for sunbrella. a few cusions are done, and they are a little stiff. but much better than before, should wear well. just go slow with the sewing, and get a few yards to start with. also you want the right sewing thread... that will hold up to the sun. so, yes it can be done.
Sewing thread
Good point about the thread. I hadn't thought of that. Any advice on identifying the correct kind of thread?
Good point about the thread. I hadn't thought of that. Any advice on identifying the correct kind of thread?
If you order a SailRite
catalog (you can do it on-line) they send out a beautiful, informative catalog that will answer many questions related to sailing canvas, etc. I got my first one within two days of ordering...now, I get a new one each time it comes out automatically. Pricing is decent for most things and they carry a wide range of fabrics, threads and other related supplies. Another good source is SailMaker Supply...not informative, but a very good source for reasonably priced canvas working supplies.
catalog (you can do it on-line) they send out a beautiful, informative catalog that will answer many questions related to sailing canvas, etc. I got my first one within two days of ordering...now, I get a new one each time it comes out automatically. Pricing is decent for most things and they carry a wide range of fabrics, threads and other related supplies. Another good source is SailMaker Supply...not informative, but a very good source for reasonably priced canvas working supplies.
Home Sewing Machine
I would at least recommend reading the material at the Sailrite website. There is a list of books they sell that tell you how to do it. Some of these books are available elsewhere (ebay). Remember, their business is selling sewing machines. I thought that I would like to have one of their machines, then I started learning about other makes, and pricing them on Ebay. I have a "home machine" so I took it to my local sewing machine repairman (who does not sell sewing machines). He told me my machine would sew much of what I wanted. I bought a book, Canvaswork and Sail Repair by Don Casey. This book covers materials, machines, thread, needles and has steps for suprisingly simple projects. I have a Nelco sewing machine which is designed more for dressmaking, but it has a large zig zag setting. Last night, I sat down and figured out how to fill a bobbin and thread the machine (with help from the Casey book), and I sewed a couple of pockets out of some sunbrella type of material. I used the correct thread and a 16 needle. At one point, due to seams, I sewed 10 layers of acrylic canvas. Looks good to me and now I have a place for my mainsheet tackle and my boom vang. So what I am saying is this: educate yourself and realise that some "home" sewing machines are perfectly capable of sewing Sunbrella with the correct thread, needle and technique. If you are not repairing sails, a simple machine may do the job with a straight stitch. My next attempt this weekend will be a sail cover. If one does not like a seam, one can completely start over with a seam ripper. Unlike deilling holes in a deck, one can fix mistakes when sewing. Give it a try. John S
I would at least recommend reading the material at the Sailrite website. There is a list of books they sell that tell you how to do it. Some of these books are available elsewhere (ebay). Remember, their business is selling sewing machines. I thought that I would like to have one of their machines, then I started learning about other makes, and pricing them on Ebay. I have a "home machine" so I took it to my local sewing machine repairman (who does not sell sewing machines). He told me my machine would sew much of what I wanted. I bought a book, Canvaswork and Sail Repair by Don Casey. This book covers materials, machines, thread, needles and has steps for suprisingly simple projects. I have a Nelco sewing machine which is designed more for dressmaking, but it has a large zig zag setting. Last night, I sat down and figured out how to fill a bobbin and thread the machine (with help from the Casey book), and I sewed a couple of pockets out of some sunbrella type of material. I used the correct thread and a 16 needle. At one point, due to seams, I sewed 10 layers of acrylic canvas. Looks good to me and now I have a place for my mainsheet tackle and my boom vang. So what I am saying is this: educate yourself and realise that some "home" sewing machines are perfectly capable of sewing Sunbrella with the correct thread, needle and technique. If you are not repairing sails, a simple machine may do the job with a straight stitch. My next attempt this weekend will be a sail cover. If one does not like a seam, one can completely start over with a seam ripper. Unlike deilling holes in a deck, one can fix mistakes when sewing. Give it a try. John S
Home machine will work
I just finished sewing a sail cover and a tiller cover for my Mac 26. I used a Kenmore machine that has about 20 years on it. At first I had a hard time getting all the settings right but once I got those set everything went great. If you use a #16 needle and thread for canvas work it should go all right. Go slow and try not to go through more than 4 layers.
I just finished sewing a sail cover and a tiller cover for my Mac 26. I used a Kenmore machine that has about 20 years on it. At first I had a hard time getting all the settings right but once I got those set everything went great. If you use a #16 needle and thread for canvas work it should go all right. Go slow and try not to go through more than 4 layers.
Re-sew sails
A couple weeks ago I had my genoa repaired. About 5 feet of leach seam had let go, eight feet or so from the top. I was happy to only pay Cdn$50 for an overnight repair, including pick-up and return at the boat. My sail maker recommended I have my sails completely resewn over the winter. The genoa is 12 years old and she showed me how loose the original thread was, compared to a couple of repairs. She said sail material technology was ahead of thread technology and that sails should last twice as long as the thread. She recommends that sails be resewn after 10 years or so, in order to double their life. Does anyone have experience or advice with respect to re-sewing sails. My main is original to the boat, a 1988 Macgregor 26D, and I don't mind tossing in a few hundred if it could save me a couple thousand in the long run. If you've done this do you consider it having been money well spent.
A couple weeks ago I had my genoa repaired. About 5 feet of leach seam had let go, eight feet or so from the top. I was happy to only pay Cdn$50 for an overnight repair, including pick-up and return at the boat. My sail maker recommended I have my sails completely resewn over the winter. The genoa is 12 years old and she showed me how loose the original thread was, compared to a couple of repairs. She said sail material technology was ahead of thread technology and that sails should last twice as long as the thread. She recommends that sails be resewn after 10 years or so, in order to double their life. Does anyone have experience or advice with respect to re-sewing sails. My main is original to the boat, a 1988 Macgregor 26D, and I don't mind tossing in a few hundred if it could save me a couple thousand in the long run. If you've done this do you consider it having been money well spent.
Home machine worked for me
I used my 35 year old Kenmore and made new cockpit cushions using a vinyl fabric with a cloth backing. Used a size 18 needle and 100% nylon upholstery thread recommended by the upholstery department at Big "Y" Yardage. Original thread I bought was too thick to go through the fabric. I have a whole cone I'll send to you if you want it. Good stuff, just won't work with my machine.
I used my 35 year old Kenmore and made new cockpit cushions using a vinyl fabric with a cloth backing. Used a size 18 needle and 100% nylon upholstery thread recommended by the upholstery department at Big "Y" Yardage. Original thread I bought was too thick to go through the fabric. I have a whole cone I'll send to you if you want it. Good stuff, just won't work with my machine.
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