Canvas Work

[Bad Obsession]

This year I started to learn how to do my own canvas projects for my boat. I am learning as I go along and getting better and more finished at doing them. Admittedly, I make a mistake here and there, but the projects are starting to look better and better.

Here is the finished result in my last project, dodger window covers. I also made a cover for the connector.

I should have put a guide on my machine when I was sewing in the binding as it would have been easier.

That being said, anyone interesting in learning how to do this don't be discouraged. It is really easy to learn and practice makes perfect. I have no idea what the window covers would have cost me to have made....but I have about $40 in materials in them and that is it.

 

[Island Girl 34]

Very nice job!

 

[Clark]

I've entertained giving canvas work a try but . . .

don't have a clue as to how to locate a good and reasonably priced machine. Oh sure, I've read 'just get a cheap all metal one from ebay' or 'any old all metal machine will do'. Since I know beans about sewing machines, I have a problem taking a the likely risk of spending time/money on something that doesn't work properly and/or is beyond repair.

Any thoughts?

 

[Ron20324]

Looking Good, Bad O! I'm doing my own dodger at present. I live a mile from the Annapolis Sailrite store, so am getting to be buddies with the manager, Dan. I would just hope you put some soft fabric on the inside of those window covers? Sunbrella- especially when dirty- can actually scratch the plastic.

 

[Bad Obsession]

Google a guy named Sewing Machine Steve. He is a fellow sailor (owns a Pearson 424) and he rebuilds sewing machines. I got mine from him for $150.

http://sewingmachinesteve.com/default.aspx

 

[Ron20324]

don't have a clue as to how to locate a good and reasonably priced machine. Oh sure, I've read 'just get a cheap all metal one from ebay' or 'any old all metal machine will do'. Since I know beans about sewing machines, I have a problem taking a the likely risk of spending time/money on something that doesn't work properly and/or is beyond repair. Any thoughts?

Back in the 80's I got a Montgomery Wards machine- metal, as they were in those days- for a hundred bucks. Depending on what your intentions are for sewing projects, you might get a friend to try six layers of Sunbrella on their home machine and see how it goes. Yeah, metal is better, but maybe the plastics will do the job.

Maybe you have a Vac 'N Sew store near you that has taken trade-ins or repairs to resell???

 

[Bad Obsession]

The guy I posted on here is really good and he will make sure that your machine is right. I had some issues with two other machines and ended up with the beast that I have now. They guy is very good at what he does and he has about 40 years experience in rebuilding machines. These are anything from an old metal house machine to a hard core industrial machine. Check him out.

 

[Ed Schenck]

Sewing your own canvas can save you a lot of money. But after you ante up for a good machine. You really want to have a walking foot. In other words the fabric is being pulled through from both the bottom and the top. When I made my bimini from a Sailrite kit there were elements that were six layers thick. It takes a really steady hand to help the fabric move and get an even stitch. I also made my own cockpit cushion covers with welts. Now there's a sewing project to avoid!

 

[Ron20324]

If you consider the per-hour price you'd pay a canvas shop, put that money towards a Sailrite or such and it will soon pay for itself. You can look at the Sailrite forum to answer your sewing questions. My own downfall to a really good job is not having a decent sized table to slide the fabric on.

 

[Bad Obsession]

I don't have a walking foot and I do just fine. I wouldn't mind having one but my machine wasn't that expensive. I wanted to learn the trade before I got really good equipment and to see if I could actually do it.

 

[MoonSailer]

We made a sailrite sail several years ago and it turned out pretty well.

 

[Bad Obsession]

Measuring is the key to making these pieces. Actually, this last piece I roughly cut out the material and then installed the snaps. I then used the outline of the snaps to create the finished canvas product.

I will admit that creating a new dodger would be a bit intimidating, a bimini doesn't look so bad but both my bimini and dodger are in good shape and should last for sometime.

 

[Jim Seamans]

Hey Bad, Just make sure you pull the covers off before you get to Cobb!!

You coming down for the Governors Cup - July 31?

 

[jibes138]

Nice job Bad or is it Bad good job?

This is a great hobby. I recently made a new cover for my Magma grill. Took about 30 minutes and saved me 35 bucks. I already had the material, some scrap sunbrella.
So far I have made a new dodger, using the old one as a pattern, a bimini from scratch with an extension piece, a storm jib, storm trysail, cruising spinnaker, 130% jib, a sail cover for a friend, added sun covers to two jibs for roller furling, and installed new plastic windows in my dodger multiple times. I like to sail with the dodger folded down for better visibility so I have to replace my windows more frequently than those that take extreme care with them. One of the advantages of doing it yourself is some window material and some thread and your time, total cost is pretty low. Taking them to a shop would cost big bucks. My problem is I sew so infrequently that every time I have to learn how again. All the projects above were over the last 15 years. I need to build a new mainsail cover and at some point a new mainsail. Maybe next year. I can't imagine sewing without a walking foot when dealing with sail material that is really slippery and has up to eight layers or more near the corners.

 

[Bad Obsession]

Jim, I will remember to take the covers off of my boat....wouldn't want to run into any Hunter 356s at Cobb Island.

I will be working days that weekend and will have just returned from the Outer Banks of NC on the 30th.

I hope that you are going to show up at the raft up September 19-20. Should be a good group of people again.

I am trying to figure out my next canvas project at this point in time. I have accomplished most of what I want have accomplish this year and a few extra things.