Sewing Cushions and Bimini

[Scott T-Bird]

I’ve replaced my dodger windows, modified a used Bimini, made a few sail covers and a stack pack. I’ve also have done some sail repairs. My wife and I are looking into making leather bags.
While the LSZ is pricey they do hold their value very well.

He forgot to mention that he made screens for my enclosure!

 

[Ward H]

What has been really puzzling to me is that Sailrite offers a bimini kit for over $600. Yet you can get a ready-made bimini from other companies for much less.

Be sure to compare quality of materials such as tubing material, size and wall thickness, fittings, fabric type, color options, mounting options and cutouts to clear back stays if needed.

I bought a Sunbrella patio umbrella a couple of months ago and am disappointed to find that Sunbrella isn't immune to mildew.

Could be a different grade of Sunbrella than what is normally used for marine projects like dodgers and biminis. Marine grade is heavier and has a 10yr warranty. Canvas grade is lighter and has a 5yr warranty, etc.

SailRite has a pretty good Fabric Selection Guide thats worth checking out.

All discussion about machines aside, learning to sew marine projects certainly adds a whole new realm to your ability to enhance your sailing enjoyment. Soon you'll be creating all sorts of convenient projects for storage and comfort such as pockets, ditty bags, curtains, hatch covers, etc. in addition to big projects like biminis and cushions. It does take a lot of time though. Whatever machine you use, the Sail-Rite videos are great learning tools. Canvas and upholstery are different than clothing skills, my wife was a professional seamstress for clothing and poo-poo'd such things as pre-creasing seams or basting tape which is the cats meow for canvas. The Sail-Rite kits are great for getting started and learning the skills, techniques, and common materials, but I find the designs somewhat spartan and as you said, expensive. If you want a more elegant look, you'll have to do more design work, noticing what other people have, and decide what features you want.
A Bimini kit might be a great first project with the understanding it is a learning kit and you'll probably want to redo it better. For example, do you want extension panel between the Bimini and dodger? side curtains? full enclosure? Sail windows?

Well said.

 

[jviss]

No one ever regrets buying a SailRite machine…but it is a lot of $$$, and I don’t use a sewing machine enough to justify the outlay.

Sailrite certainly is the best known for these machines in these parts. But know that it's a Chinese made machine that is widely available under different brand names like Consew, Alphasew, Tuffsew, Reliable Barracuda, and on and on. Sailrite claims some value add in fit and finish, support, etc., I suppose, but you can get this heavy duty walking foot machine much cheaper if you're on a budget. All the accessories will work, are interchangable, and as the machines were originally copied from Singer, things like tables and cases, bobbins, bobbin cases, etc., will all work, too. So, there's no need to spend beaucoop bucks on Sailrite parts and accessories, or oil!

Sailrite has the best manual, in my opinion, which is what I use with my Alphasew. I also have the Sailrite "Monster Wheel" flywheel on mine. They also have some great instructional videos.

 

[Ward H]

But know that it's a Chinese made machine that is widely available under different brand names like Consew, Alphasew, Tuffsew, Reliable Barracuda, and on and on. Sailrite claims some value add in fit and finish, support, etc., I suppose, but you can get this heavy duty walking foot machine much cheaper if you're on a budget.

Has anyone actually compared these other machines to a SailRite. I don't mean physical looks but the interior parts? Are the SailRite competitors made to the same specifications as the SailRite machines or are lessor quality, lower cost parts used to reach the lower price points? Do the cheaper machines run as smoothly and reliably as a SailRite?
Copycats are usually made with lower cost, lower quality parts and lower cost production methods so they can look like the quality product but can be produced at a much lower price point.

It's good that people wanting to get into sewing marine projects have a choice of various price points. They do need to know that the $450 walking foot machine is not the same machine as the $1,100 SailRite. Is the higher quality and are the extra features worth the higher price? That depends on what a person wants to do with the machine. Make some cushions, buy a cheaper machine. Eventually build a nice looking dodger with quality window material? Go with the higher quality, more reliable machine with features like longer stitch length and low speed stitching ability to ensure a higher quality finished product.

Your Boat, Your Choice

 

[jviss]

Has anyone actually compared these other machines to a SailRite. I don't mean physical looks but the interior parts? Are the SailRite competitors made to the same specifications as the SailRite machines or are lessor quality, lower cost parts used to reach the lower price points? Do the cheaper machines run as smoothly and reliably as a SailRite?
Copycats are usually made with lower cost, lower quality parts and lower cost production methods so they can look like the quality product but can be produced at a much lower price point.

It's good that people wanting to get into sewing marine projects have a choice of various price points. They do need to know that the $450 walking foot machine is not the same machine as the $1,100 SailRite. Is the higher quality and are the extra features worth the higher price? That depends on what a person wants to do with the machine. Make some cushions, buy a cheaper machine. Eventually build a nice looking dodger with quality window material? Go with the higher quality, more reliable machine with features like longer stitch length and low speed stitching ability to ensure a higher quality finished product.

Your Boat, Your Choice

I can see where this is going, like the oil debates on car forums. Believe me, the other machines are not clones of the Sailrite, they are siblings, cousins. Sailrite didn't design and build that machine, they bought it from a Chinese manufacturer, painted it, and put their name on it. The others are virtually identical, especially the internal parts, and they run just as well and as smoothly as does a Sailrite, which, but the way, is not very good compared to a Juki or other higher-end walking foot machine. They are not "copycats," no one is copying Sailrite, because Sailrite didn't design and doesn't make sewing machines. Sailrite provides some small changes, like where the electrical cord plugs in; and they provide excellent documentation and support. But the Alphasew and Tuffsew and other machines are fundamentally the same.

I have had both. I currently have an Alphasew. It's fine! It runs smoothly, sews great, does everything a Sailrite LS does, just as well. Same machine. Probably came out of the same factory in China.

By the way, all of these Chinese machines are copies of Singers, right down to the dimensions of the base castings; they go into the exact same cutouts on sewing tables as Singers, and use Singer designed hinges.

 

[Ward H]

Debate? Not me.
I asked:

Has anyone actually compared these other machines to a SailRite. I don't mean physical looks but the interior parts? Are the SailRite competitors made to the same specifications as the SailRite machines or are lessor quality, lower cost parts used to reach the lower price points?

"Same factory" doesn't mean every machine or part that comes out of the same factory is of the same quality.
I'm interested in a direct comparison of the internals of the $450 machine compared to the SailRite $1,100 machine.

BTW, why the constant reference to China?

I've never heard of anyone regretting the purchase of a Sailrite machine.

Neither have I

I don't regret buying the Sailrite machine. Since I bought mine nearly 20 years ago they have made improvements in the machine. Spending money on the upgrades was well worth it.

Same here. (I bought mine in 2016 or 2017)

And I know if one comes on the market for sale, it goes very fast and close to the original price.

@Skipper J
If your planning to make a dodger and a bimini, a SailRite LS1 would be a good choice. For a beginner their customer support is a huge benefit if you run into problems which can happen when as you learn to sew more complicated projects.
One huge benefit (my opinion) is the WorkerB motor which now comes on all SailRtie Ultrafeed machines. It allows you to sew much slower while maintaining the power needed to punch through several layers of material. Most lower cost and or older machines need speed/momentum to maintain that "punch" power.
Experienced sewers may not need the slower stitching speed capability but the quality of my sewing has greatly improved when I installed a new motor and controller which allows very slow stitching. (Pre WorkerB availability)

When your done your projects you can sell the machine for almost cost.

BTW, The LSZ1, which can do a zig zag stitch is more for sail making and repairs.

 

[jviss]

I'm interested in a direct comparison of the internals of the $450 machine compared to the SailRite $1,100 machine.

They looked identical to me. Absolutely no difference in design, fit, finish internally. Please know, the price difference is not entirely proportional to machine quality, Sailrite does a lot in "branding" their machines, add-ons, documentation, support, and marketing, of course, and that's why they can command such a high price.

BTW, why the constant reference to China?

That's where they are made. There's a palpable difference between machines made in the U.S., Japan, China, Germany, etc.

WorkerB motor which now comes on all SailRtie Ultrafeed machines

That is a good upgrade, in my opinion. But as an option for older machines, it's quite expensive, at about $350, I think. I'm not planning on using my machine as a portable, so I plan on upgrading to a servo motor and synchronizer/positioner, which is far superior and can be had for much less.

But then, I might just keep looking for a Juki. You wouldn't believe the difference in power and smoothness going to a real industrial machine.

Here's a comparison video, Sailrite LSZ to Juki LU-563:

Mini Walking Foot Vs Industrial Walking Foot Sewing Machine Sailrite and Juki Compared

If you want to skip right to the Juki demo, go here:

Juki LU-563 demo

 

[william24424]

I have a 1928 Electric Singer that goes through Canvas + Sail + Leather like a knife through hot butter. It cost me $100 for the machine that I bought a few years ago. I've made bags & pillows from old sails, canvas hatch covers with leather sewn on to keep buttons from pulling out, and repaired sails with patch, and replaced North Sails Logo. The machine has only one way to sew, looks like this.. - - - - - - - - - - and to make it stronger I'll go under over with a second stitch... looks like this -_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_- Anyways, not fancy but does job.

 

[Ward H]

I have a 1928 Electric Singer that goes through Canvas + Sail + Leather like a knife through hot butter.

I have one that looks just like that but in blue paint and different branding. Mine is a Japanese post war machine but based on that Singer.

I haven't tried canvas with it but I don't doubt it. My problem was speed control but then that could have been just my lack of sewing skill.
The other reason I moved up is I think it maxed out with a #16 needle which may work with V69 thread but definitely not V92 thread. V92 is used for most Marine exterior projects because it has a higher resistance to UV. Of course there is lifetime threads but that is another whole discussion.

Edit: I checked and I have #18 needles that fit the old machine so I was wrong about the #16 being max.

 

[jviss]

Old Singers are great machines! My mom's 1951 model is very strong. I currently have the walking foot machine in that cabinet, fits perfectly!

Just cleaned and oiled the Alpha Sew to get ready for some work. Here's a public service announcement: Oil Your Machine! It's very important. There are probably 35 or 40 oil points on a Sailrite or equivalent. You should oil it every 8 bobbins or so if you're using it regularly, but if only occasionally, before you put it away, and before you start sewing. If you're on the boat you should wipe it off all over with an oil rag. Sew some scrap before you start to collect any stray oil.

Sailrite's manual is very good. It explains timing, and how to adjust it. Very helpful.

I'm interested in speed control, a better foot pedal, and so forth for mine. I am seriously considering a table stand and servo motor and synchronizer. Too bad these don't have a way of implementing knee lift, too.

Once I'm up and running I might do the torture test for all three machines, working my way up to 8 layers of marine grade Sunbrella. I'll let you all know if I do it, and what the results are.

 

[Ward H]

I'm interested in speed control, a better foot pedal, and so forth for mine. I am seriously considering a table stand and servo motor and synchronizer.

I installed the SailRite Workhorse 3/4HP Servo motor. Currently $225. I put it and my LSZ1 in their industrial table. The motor has so much torque Sailrite advises not to use the Monster Wheel II with it. I think it was Matt who told me the servo motor has such slow speed control they don't want the momentum of the Monster Wheel pushing the motor.
With this setup I can move the needle a quarter of a stitch at a time.


Here's my post war Singer clone:

 

[jviss]

With this setup I can move the needle a quarter of a stitch at a time.

Wow, that's awesome!

 

[jviss]

Here's my post war Singer clone:

That looks just like my mom's 1951 Singer 66-16. Great machine!

 

[Tally Ho]

There is a brand that was the predecessor to the Sailrite machine IIRC….Thompson Mini Walking foot machine.

Rare and hard to find, but a solid, robust walking foot machine.

Greg

 

[jviss]

There is a brand that was the predecessor to the Sailrite machine IIRC….Thompson Mini Walking foot machine.

Rare and hard to find, but a solid, robust walking foot machine.

Greg

Yes, I heard that the Thompson was U.S. designed and made, and is the machine that was cloned overseas and created the flood of brands that are now available. I don't know it that's so, but that's what I heard.

 

[jviss]

The motor has so much torque Sailrite advises not to use the Monster Wheel II with it.

You could probably sell your Monster Wheel for $100!

 

[Ward H]

Yes, I heard that the Thompson was U.S. designed and made, and is the machine that was cloned overseas and created the flood of brands that are now available. I don't know it that's so, but that's what I heard.

SailRite has an interesting article on the history of the Ultrafeed machines. IIRC, They mention that they started with selling the Thompson machine which they had "tweaked".

You could probably sell your Monster Wheel for $100!

You're right, I did.

 

[Tin Kicker]

I've got my Mother's big all metal Singer from the early 1970s and have used it through SunBrella layers of a good quarter inch thickness where seams come together. The trick is to recognize that when getting to the limited areas with those thicknesses, I use the hand wheel and go stitch by stitch rather than burning out the motor. I'm not getting paid so can take my time and the old machine works just fine.

 

[jviss]

I've got my Mother's big all metal Singer from the early 1970s and have used it through SunBrella layers of a good quarter inch thickness where seams come together. The trick is to recognize that when getting to the limited areas with those thicknesses, I use the hand wheel and go stitch by stitch rather than burning out the motor. I'm not getting paid so can take my time and the old machine works just fine.

I thought that by the '70's Singer had moved to plastic gears, etc. What model is yours?

 

[jviss]

We should have a sewing subforum.