Correct thread for making sail cover???

[Paul]

Hi,We have just ordered our sunbrella fabric for making a new sail cover and few other covers. What does everyone recommend to use for the sewing thread????Thanks,Paul

 

[Dave]

Thread

Paul:Go to sailrite.comThey sell the thread and have a good explanation of different ones to use for different jobs.Dave S/V Westwind

 

[Mike DiMario]

Dacron

We have done some of our canvas work. Dacron is the standard it seems. Sailrite does sell Gore-tex thread which is probably the best, but cost prohibitive. Dacron sail type thread will be great, but I think the rays of the sun can be pretty harsh on it. Exposed stiches are probably not that common on a sail cover anyway!Good luck,Mike DiMario

 

[Dave]

Thread

Use either V-69 or V-92 UVR Polyester Thread. Get a color to match the sunbrella or use white thread. This is heavy duty thread and will hold up well. You can probably use a home sewing machine but if you use more than a few layers of the sunbrella fabric you will need a heavy duty machine. Also you should use a hot knife to cut the fabric so the edges are heat sealed and won't fray. This looks like a soldering iron but with a knife shaped blade. You can use a soldering iron but it will be slow.Dave

 

[CeeCee Rutland]

Best Thread

My choice would be Sungard V69...WHITE. The matching colored thread I used faded in a couple of years which made my work look pretty tired. I don't know how much sun exposure your boat gets, but our boat "Joyous" is in the water 12 month's a year, so I've found it smart to sew parallel lines of stitching wherever they are exposed to the sun - and definately cover the zipper. I sure wish GorTex was more affordable - redoing sewing is such a thankless job!