'Sail' Help

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Styrbjorn

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Dec 6, 2009
4
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Using the Sailmaker's Apprentice I have made a giant rectangular 'sail' out of hemp canvas. The idea is to use it as a tent for historical re-enactment: Vikings using an 'old' sail for a tent. Before I put on the ropes and eyelets I would like to shrink the whole thing. Is there such a thing as a 'sail cleaning service'? Are there giant industrial washing machines/dryers big enough to handle a sail for Viking ship, or would any such service wash it 'by hand'?
I realize that most people do not want to shrink their sail, but I am hoping that someone will have some suggestions. Are there any sailmakers out there who have any tips?
I live in the L.A. area of So California and would love to find some help that is local.
thanks for reading this!
Styrbjorn
 
Joe

Joe

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Jun 1, 2004
8,323
Catalina 27 Mission Bay, San Diego
have you tried the yellow pages?
 
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Jim Kolstoe

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Jun 5, 2004
209
- - Eugene, OR
You might try contacting the technical director for a local theater. Many stages are set up to use a huge fabric curtain stretching from the the back (far up stage) towards the front (down stage) on both sides called a cyclorama (uncertain of spelling). They might be able to advise you on a place or technique for cleaning large pieces of fabric. From talking with community theater tech directors' I've done productions with, they sometimes need cleaning, but its a difficult and expensive process. Good luck.
Jim Kolstoe, h23 Kara's Boo
 
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Styrbjorn

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Dec 6, 2009
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I tried looking in the Yellow Pages and got a couple of options, but I was hoping not to walk in blind to a place that mainly does awnings... The Theater Companies idea is a good one though.
I don't own my own ship.. yet. Most of my sailing was when I was younger and in recent years I have sailed as a crew member on ships in Denmark. So I don't even know if it is ever necessary to actually wash sails, other than an occasional spot cleaning by hand. Any thoughts on that? Ever hear of companies that wash sails in a large washing machine?
Thanks for your help!
Styrbjorn
 
Ross

Ross

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Jun 15, 2004
14,693
Islander/Wayfairer 30 sail number 25 Perryville,Md.
You could use an open boat as a large tub filled with water. Or it could be spread on a roof and washed with a hose. I presume that you wish to shrink it to make it more water tight. A rug cleaning service may be a good option. I once send a 3x5 metre rug out for cleaning and drying after a flood.
 
Ron20324

Ron20324

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Jan 22, 2008
8,050
Beneteau 323 Annapolis MD
Any chance you could make it in smaller, easier to handle, pieces? Kind of like, "modular"?
 
BobM

BobM

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Jun 10, 2004
3,269
S2 9.2A Winthrop, MA
How big is it? Have you called any commercial laundry services? Also, if you just want to shrink it a kiddie pool filled with hot water might do it...but that is still al lot of hot water. Of course, in CA putting a black tarp over the kiddie pool filled with water might heat up pretty darned good!
 
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Styrbjorn

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Dec 6, 2009
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BobM said:
How big is it? Have you called any commercial laundry services? Also, if you just want to shrink it a kiddie pool filled with hot water might do it...but that is still al lot of hot water. Of course, in CA putting a black tarp over the kiddie pool filled with water might heat up pretty darned good!
Click to expand
It's about 30' x 60'. I have looked through the Yellow Pages and I have come up with some ideas. I was hoping someone else had gone through a similar situation and could offer some tips. Yes, the goal is to shrink the whole of it to get a slightly tighter look to the weave to help with water-tight qualities. Then I will apply the finish rope work. I also don't want the rope and fabric to 'conflict' with each other, for example as the fabric naturally shrinks after rain, but the rope (which will be sewn to the outer edge) does not shrink, or not as much. I think I need to shrink it as much as possible before I begin the finish work.
Thanks for your help!
Styrbjorn
 
cephius (Dave)

cephius (Dave)

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May 25, 2004
978
Catalina Capri 14.2 1670 Rochester, MN
Whenever I work with large amounts of canvas duck I always shrink it before cutting and sewing it. I used my standard home washing machine set on Hot. Made several pavilions this way for the SCA.
 
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Styrbjorn

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Dec 6, 2009
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woodster said:
try a hot tub or jacuzzie maybe......


regards
woody
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Thanks Woody! That's a brilliant idea. I really want it to go into a dryer as well for maximum shrinkage, so I'll have to find one as well as someone willing to loan their jaccuzzi to me....
A local Sail Cleaning company appears to be out of business and a Tent cleaner is limited to 25' sections that they run through a machine that is not a typical washing machine design. I am going to try finding some rumored Jumbo-sized washing machines that exist is some laundromats....
The original sections were 5' x 30' and I did not want to risk damaging our home washing machine trying to get that much heavy canvas stuffed inside it.
Thanks for the help guys!
Styrbjorn
 
Ron20324

Ron20324

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Jan 22, 2008
8,050
Beneteau 323 Annapolis MD
How about a rug-cleaning company that takes in the rugs to be cleaned- not in-home.
 
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