Sewing
 

I noticed a small rip in the dodger, so, rather than give it to a
company to repair, thought 'Hey, I can do that'.

Nothing is as simple as it seems, however.

First, the sewing machine had to be mastered, oiled, prepared.

Then the rudiments of sewing learnt.

The Dodger was an easy repair (straight line stitching), but then I saw
the winch covers are wind/sun worn and needed replacing.

Those are not so easy as they are 'round'!

But I love a challenge, specially one that requires accuracy and an
element of engineering.

Took two days but I now have a matched pair of winch covers.

Now to try sail bags!

--
Molesworth

Sewing
 

"Molesworth" wrote in message
...
I noticed a small rip in the dodger, so, rather than give it to a
company to repair, thought 'Hey, I can do that'.

Nothing is as simple as it seems, however.

First, the sewing machine had to be mastered, oiled, prepared.

Then the rudiments of sewing learnt.

The Dodger was an easy repair (straight line stitching), but then I saw
the winch covers are wind/sun worn and needed replacing.

Those are not so easy as they are 'round'!

But I love a challenge, specially one that requires accuracy and an
element of engineering.

Took two days but I now have a matched pair of winch covers.

Now to try sail bags!

--
Molesworth


Most boat sewing is done with the item turned inside out. That's the trick
to making it easy.

Wilbur Hubbard

Sewing
 

On Fri, 06 Jun 2008 16:46:05 -0500, Molesworth
wrote:

I noticed a small rip in the dodger, so, rather than give it to a
company to repair, thought 'Hey, I can do that'.

Nothing is as simple as it seems, however.

First, the sewing machine had to be mastered, oiled, prepared.

Then the rudiments of sewing learnt.

The Dodger was an easy repair (straight line stitching), but then I saw
the winch covers are wind/sun worn and needed replacing.

Those are not so easy as they are 'round'!

But I love a challenge, specially one that requires accuracy and an
element of engineering.

Took two days but I now have a matched pair of winch covers.

Now to try sail bags!

--
Molesworth

Don't think we don't realise the abyss of maleness that you had to
negotiate in order to toil at the sewing until it came right. We can
indeed tell the stisfaction, the gratification, the thankfulness when
it's all over, even.....

Brian W

Sewing
 

Molesworth wrote:

I noticed a small rip in the dodger, so, rather than give it to a
company to repair, thought 'Hey, I can do that'.

Nothing is as simple as it seems, however.

First, the sewing machine had to be mastered, oiled, prepared.

Then the rudiments of sewing learnt.

Early in our marriage, Bob was restoring a 1932 Plymouth. He wanted
to reupholster it. So he rented a sewing machine because we didn't
have one. The rental place had a fit when they learned that he was
taking it aboard a ship, but I guess he talked them into it, and on
that cruise he taught himself to sew and did the upholstery.

He's bought himself a machine like the SailRite, and just lately he's
been repairing the side curtains for the bimini. If he wants the
sails repaired though, he goes up to the Amish guy who makes truck
tarps, and pays for a half hour or so on his industrial machine which
is pneumatic (they don't have electricity). Now THAT'S a machine.

The Dodger was an easy repair (straight line stitching), but then I saw
the winch covers are wind/sun worn and needed replacing.

Those are not so easy as they are 'round'!

But I love a challenge, specially one that requires accuracy and an
element of engineering.

Took two days but I now have a matched pair of winch covers.

Now to try sail bags!

--
Molesworth

Sewing
 

Small rips is sails, dodgers, etc. can easily be taken care of by a
small patch on the 'inside' and both 'mating' surfaces applied with
'fast cure' 3M 5200 (sold in small tubes). Just be sure to use
masking tape on the precise edges of the patch to prevent any 5200
that squeezes out from contacting 'other' than the patch when you
apply pressure to the repair.

I dont cart around my heavy sewing machine anymore when traveling.
Just some sailcloth & sunbrella scraps, etc. and a few tubes of fast
cure 5200. Its flexible enough for a 'very permanent' sail repair.
Ive done a full seam panel repair on a 9.8 oz. dacron sail ... still
good to go and doesnt lpok 'repaired' after 5 years.

Sewing
 

On Fri, 06 Jun 2008 19:58:00 -0400, wrote:

A sewing machine is just one more power tool.

Unless it is foot operated, as was the one that I learned to sew on.
Electric is finer than frog fur, when you are plugged in at the dock,
but AC might be scarce on the high seas. You wouldn't need a very big
inverter, however.

Casady

Sewing
 

On the subject of sewing and sunbrella in particular, how do you cut
the stuff and work with it without the edges unraveling?
I thought about trying a soldering iron to cut it.
Gordon

Sewing
 

Gordon wrote in news:Ho-
:

On the subject of sewing and sunbrella in particular, how do you cut
the stuff and work with it without the edges unraveling?
I thought about trying a soldering iron to cut it.
Gordon

You need a hot knife or similar device. A soldering iron might work, but
it would be a pain to work with. You need something with a blade.

-- Geoff
www.GeoffSchultz.org

Sewing
 

On Sat, 07 Jun 2008 18:02:29 -0500, Geoff Schultz
wrote:

Gordon wrote in news:Ho-
:

On the subject of sewing and sunbrella in particular, how do you cut
the stuff and work with it without the edges unraveling?
I thought about trying a soldering iron to cut it.
Gordon

You need a hot knife or similar device. A soldering iron might work, but
it would be a pain to work with. You need something with a blade.


You can get a hot knife attachment for gun type soldering irons. I
bought one last summer and it works reasonably well.

Sewing
 

In article ,
Gordon wrote:

On the subject of sewing and sunbrella in particular, how do you cut
the stuff and work with it without the edges unraveling?
I thought about trying a soldering iron to cut it.
Gordon

All I see are hems..

--
Molesworth

Sewing
 

On 2008-06-06 23:40:40 -0400, RichH said:

Small rips is sails, dodgers, etc. can easily be taken care of by a
small patch on the 'inside' and both 'mating' surfaces applied with
'fast cure' 3M 5200 (sold in small tubes).

Cool idea! I've got sail tape that I've used for chutes and burgees,
but hadn't thought to use 5200 as that sort of glue. We have a tube
aboard for other jobs. It's now got a new purpose, and I'll likely
bring some of an old sail onboard for such patches.

--
Jere Lull
Xan-à-Deux -- Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD
Xan's pages: http://web.mac.com/jerelull/iWeb/Xan/
Our BVI trips & tips: http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/

Sewing
 

On 2008-06-06 19:58:00 -0400, said:

A sewing machine is just one more power tool.

Thanks for that. I learned to use Mom's sewing machine for pretty much
that reason.

She required us guys learn to cook, clean and otherwise take care of
ourselves for those times we weren't "served" by some woman. SHE
certainly wasn't going to serve us! I did my first roast chicken in 3rd
grade, sewed my merit badges on my uniform at 12. Until I was about 30,
I was a better cook than any of the girls I dated.

Our sewing machine is my Mom's ancient Brother, easily 40 years old.
I'm not sure my wife knows how to use it since I've always done the
jobs that needed doing.

--
Jere Lull
Xan-à-Deux -- Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD
Xan's pages: http://web.mac.com/jerelull/iWeb/Xan/
Our BVI trips & tips: http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/

Sewing
 

Brian Whatcott wrote:
On Fri, 06 Jun 2008 16:46:05 -0500, Molesworth
wrote:

I noticed a small rip in the dodger, so, rather than give it to a
company to repair, thought 'Hey, I can do that'.

Nothing is as simple as it seems, however.

First, the sewing machine had to be mastered, oiled, prepared.

Then the rudiments of sewing learnt.

The Dodger was an easy repair (straight line stitching), but then I
saw the winch covers are wind/sun worn and needed replacing.

Those are not so easy as they are 'round'!

But I love a challenge, specially one that requires accuracy and an
element of engineering.

Took two days but I now have a matched pair of winch covers.

Now to try sail bags!

--
Molesworth

Don't think we don't realise the abyss of maleness that you had to
negotiate in order to toil at the sewing until it came right. We can
indeed tell the stisfaction, the gratification, the thankfulness when
it's all over, even.....

Brian W

Speak for yourself. I spent fifty years in the sewing business and honestly
don't know what all the fuss is about!

Dennis.

Sewing
 

On Jun 9, 3:24 am, "Dennis Pogson"
wrote:
Brian Whatcott wrote:
On Fri, 06 Jun 2008 16:46:05 -0500, Molesworth
wrote:

I noticed a small rip in the dodger, so, rather than give it to a
company to repair, thought 'Hey, I can do that'.

Nothing is as simple as it seems, however.

First, the sewing machine had to be mastered, oiled, prepared.

Then the rudiments of sewing learnt.

The Dodger was an easy repair (straight line stitching), but then I
saw the winch covers are wind/sun worn and needed replacing.

Those are not so easy as they are 'round'!

But I love a challenge, specially one that requires accuracy and an
element of engineering.

Took two days but I now have a matched pair of winch covers.

Now to try sail bags!

--
Molesworth

Don't think we don't realise the abyss of maleness that you had to
negotiate in order to toil at the sewing until it came right. We can
indeed tell the stisfaction, the gratification, the thankfulness when
it's all over, even.....

Brian W

Speak for yourself. I spent fifty years in the sewing business and honestly
don't know what all the fuss is about!

Dennis.

Right now, I am trying to sew a custom shade for my Tolman Skiff. I
have not used the machine since two years ago when I sewed my MiniCup
sails. It is a very heavy duty "Dressmaker" brand with massive steel
cogs. It is an impressive piece of compact machinery but I'd like to
know its age. It kinda looks modern but the original owners
certificate indicates 1931. My wife hates this machine that I got for
nearly nothing at a garage sale 25yrs ago. It is simply too heavy to
be easy to use. It needs to be permanently mounted although it has a
carrying case.

Sewing
 

On Tue, 10 Jun 2008 18:25:28 -0700 (PDT),
wrote:


Right now, I am trying to sew a custom shade for my Tolman Skiff. I
have not used the machine since two years ago when I sewed my MiniCup
sails. It is a very heavy duty "Dressmaker" brand with massive steel
cogs. It is an impressive piece of compact machinery but I'd like to
know its age. It kinda looks modern but the original owners
certificate indicates 1931. My wife hates this machine that I got for
nearly nothing at a garage sale 25yrs ago. It is simply too heavy to
be easy to use. It needs to be permanently mounted although it has a
carrying case.


Zig-zag stitch - that's the ticket! Highly desirable for sails
and wing covers..
I did a sun roof from 12 ounce canvas for my open top horse trailer,
as well as a wrap round transparent front cover for it, from heavy
duty wally world pvc sheet. Using the SAME SETTINGS, I also took off
the collar of a new poplin dress shirt to stiitch it on rotated 180
degrees to make a dressage shirt. Now that's a sewing machine I can
warm to.

Brian W

Sewing
 

On Jun 7, 6:55*pm, Gordon wrote:
* *On the subject of sewing and sunbrella in particular, how do you cut
the stuff and work with it without the edges unraveling?
* I thought about trying a soldering iron to cut it.
* Gordon

Use a 'felled' seam ... a seam where the cut ends of the fabric are
folded inside the seam


-----------------------------------|
|-------- |
| -------- |
|---------------------------

Sewing
 

On Jun 7, 3:55*pm, Gordon wrote:
* *On the subject of sewing and sunbrella in particular, how do you cut
the stuff and work with it without the edges unraveling?
* I thought about trying a soldering iron to cut it.
* Gordon

Pinking shears; if you don't want to invest in a hot knife.

Sewing
 

On Wed, 11 Jun 2008 10:01:46 -0700 (PDT), Mark
wrote:

On Jun 7, 3:55*pm, Gordon wrote:
* *On the subject of sewing and sunbrella in particular, how do you cut
the stuff and work with it without the edges unraveling?
* I thought about trying a soldering iron to cut it.
* Gordon

Pinking shears; if you don't want to invest in a hot knife.

Go to Radio Shack and buy a pencil soldering iron. They make a hot
knife blade that screws right on. Get some rosin core solder while you
are at it. Get a gun as well if you have the bucks and storage for it.
Consider lead free solder, 95% tin and 5% silver, twice as strong,
melts at 375. Less melted insulation. More flavor, less filling. They
might have some tinned wire big enough to be useful. 14 awg will
handle fifteen amps. They got the heat shrink tubing. You can spend
some bucks, but you need to have it already if the boat breaks
offshore. A small inverter is all you need for the hot knife.

Casady

Sewing
 

Richard Casady wrote:
On Wed, 11 Jun 2008 10:01:46 -0700 (PDT), Mark
wrote:

On Jun 7, 3:55 pm, Gordon wrote:
On the subject of sewing and sunbrella in particular, how do you cut
the stuff and work with it without the edges unraveling?
I thought about trying a soldering iron to cut it.
Gordon
Pinking shears; if you don't want to invest in a hot knife.

Go to Radio Shack and buy a pencil soldering iron. They make a hot
knife blade that screws right on. Get some rosin core solder while you
are at it. Get a gun as well if you have the bucks and storage for it.
Consider lead free solder, 95% tin and 5% silver, twice as strong,
melts at 375. Less melted insulation. More flavor, less filling. They
might have some tinned wire big enough to be useful. 14 awg will
handle fifteen amps. They got the heat shrink tubing. You can spend
some bucks, but you need to have it already if the boat breaks
offshore. A small inverter is all you need for the hot knife.

One of the more useful tools I carry is the butane powered Weller
soldering iron/hot knife. Its perfect for small soldering (not enough
BTUs for large cable) and also the hot knife easily cuts and seals any
line or synthetic fabric you might use. And, of course, its cordless,
but you will need to carry a small butane canister for refills. Used on
almost every trip.
http://www.amazon.com/WELLER-PORTASO.../dp/B000WOHSHM

Sewing
 

jeff wrote in
:

Richard Casady wrote:
On Wed, 11 Jun 2008 10:01:46 -0700 (PDT), Mark
wrote:

On Jun 7, 3:55 pm, Gordon wrote:
On the subject of sewing and sunbrella in particular, how do you
cut
the stuff and work with it without the edges unraveling?
I thought about trying a soldering iron to cut it.
Gordon
Pinking shears; if you don't want to invest in a hot knife.

Go to Radio Shack and buy a pencil soldering iron. They make a hot
knife blade that screws right on. Get some rosin core solder while
you are at it. Get a gun as well if you have the bucks and storage
for it. Consider lead free solder, 95% tin and 5% silver, twice as
strong, melts at 375. Less melted insulation. More flavor, less
filling. They might have some tinned wire big enough to be useful. 14
awg will handle fifteen amps. They got the heat shrink tubing. You
can spend some bucks, but you need to have it already if the boat
breaks offshore. A small inverter is all you need for the hot knife.

One of the more useful tools I carry is the butane powered Weller
soldering iron/hot knife. Its perfect for small soldering (not enough
BTUs for large cable) and also the hot knife easily cuts and seals any
line or synthetic fabric you might use. And, of course, its cordless,
but you will need to carry a small butane canister for refills. Used
on almost every trip.
http://www.amazon.com/WELLER-PORTASO.../dp/B000WOHSHM

I have one and it's great, but I don't think that they provide the knife
any more. At least you can't buy a replacement knife blade the last time
that I checked.

-- Geoff
www.GeoffSchultz.org