Sail repair

[ScottD]

I have noticed that the thread is starting to loosen on the "seams" on my jib. Can this be stitched with a good sewing machine? My wife has a nice machine, so it may be up for it.
Any advice?
Scott D

 

[CaptChuck]

Be careful ! The Admiral (a former Home Ec Teacher) has ruined 2 good machines repairing sails etc for me. She refuses to do any more unless I buy her a machine from Sailrite.

 

[Ross]

I have noticed that the thread is starting to loosen on the "seams" on my jib. Can this be stitched with a good sewing machine? My wife has a nice machine, so it may be up for it.
Any advice?
Scott D

It all depends. I have a old portable Singer that can sew through 4 layers of 6 ounce dacron. But my wifes newer machine bogs down. My commercial Phaff will handle 8 layers with a groan.

 

[caguy]

How important is the zig zag stitch when sewing sails?

Would 2 parallel stitches work as well or would the perforation being lined up weaken the fabric? Are there other reasons for using a zig zag stitch?
Frank

 

[Ross]

Re: How important is the zig zag stitch when sewing sails?

Straight stitching will serve if you don't have a zig-zag machine. Use long stitches.

 

[filthy liberal scum]

most older machines are a lot more hardy than new ones.

I have done a lot of repairs and even re-cutting some of my older sails and found that old machines will indeed do the trick.
but. there are some caveats.

one is the amount of fabric that has to be moved through the machine. you may have to slightly help it through the feeder as presser feet on noncommercial machines just isn't up to feeding that much heavy material.

the other is that i found that standard needles tend to fray the thread. I found the way around this is to use the needles that are designated for leather does a much better job of being able to penetrate the heavy fabric without fraying the thread.

 

[tommays]

You will need to get good thread from a place like sailright

 

[Paul Akers]

You may need a "Heavy Duty Machine" to affect any sail repairs

 

[Warren Milberg]

I've had good luck doing sail repair on an old Singer. I, too, have found the keys being (1) using the "right" size heavy duty needles, (2) setting the tension correctly, (3) getting help moving that amount of material thru the foot, and (4) using UV stablized thread that I buy at Bacons in Annapolis (you can also buy it from Sailrite).

 

[Stillraining]

NO!!! NO!!!! DONT DO IT!!!





Just kidding some one had to spoil the party...

 

[Ross]

NO!!! NO!!!! DONT DO IT!!!





Just kidding some one had to spoil the party...

I'M gonna sew yer pockets shut with yer money and yer keys inside. ;D

 

[Jim Kolstoe]

Now Ross,

You need to remember your manners - let him take his pants off before you start sewing.
Jim Kolstoe, h23 Kara's Boo