Thread: Canvas & Tarp Sewing

If it is small stuff get a triangle tipped needle or two, something to use as a thimble/pusher, and for the multi-layered stuff a pair of pliers to pull it through.

If there's a lot of it call around the local sailmakers.

Or, most industrial machines will take heavy thread and a bigger size - canvas needle. Talk to your local tailor/dressmaker, they might be willing to the work for you if you supply or pay the extra for the needles and thread.

If the job is too heavy for a dressmaker's machine try an upholsterer. They usually have a walking foot machine. Walking foot sewing machines use a double action foot that clamps the bit of fabric it is sewing in a clamp and pulls it through the machine. That is the best way to sew heavy weight fabrics.

Another way to go if the amount of sewing is pretty small is the local bootmaker/shoe repair place. They have machines set up for small amounts of stitching through heavy weight material. They usually crank the machines by hand, so they're not going to be too keen on six foot seams.

hth

Cheers
Simon

Thanks Simon. Given it's a 4m x 3m canvas tent it's a bit difficult to put on a machine I think, and anyway I wouldn't mind learning the skills. Any idea where I can get a sewing kit for this sort of thing?

thanks

Ah, you'd be surprised what you can do with some clever folding.

Admittedly I live in a small warehouse, but I've sewn 6m x 3m blackout curtains up with a walking foot machine. For that stuff I pinned the seams then folded the whole package into a long-long sausage.

Sounds like your solution is the sailmaker. They have machines built into the floor - something like a mechanic's pit. The sewer sits in this hole in the floor just like sitting at a desk and the entire floor of the room acts as your table.

For the sewing kit - you can get triangle needles in the big needle kits at a supermarket or Kmart. Thimble-y things depend on how technical you want to get. Ships Chandler will have sailmaker's palms which are like a fingerless glove with a plastic, metal, or ceramic thing sewn into the palm. Using one of these you seat the thread end of the needle in the plastic thing and use your whole hand to push into canvas. Of course a beer bottle top inverted into a cut up glove would do the same thing, or just the beer top if you don't have gloves.

Cheers
Simon

You need triangular section sailmakers needles. These are in most sets of needles from anywhere that sells needles. Or you can get from a sailmaker or Ships Chandler or saddler. Size depends on the weight of canvas you are using.
To get the needle through canvas of any thickness you need a sailmaker's palm. Only place I have ever found these is either a Ships Chandler or a sailmaker, so you have a problem if away from the coast. You will also probably need pliers to pull the needle through.
Use polyester thread, preferably waxed, obtainable from Chandlers, sailmakers, saddlers and often from sewing shops or hardware stores. Thickness again depends on the canvas, but should be somewhat thicker than the threads in the canvas.
If you want to get really fancy, a pricking wheel can be bought to mark the stitches so you get them even - I just eyeball it!
I have done quite a bit of this, sail repairs and alterations, the latest being to convert a full length canvas to a 3/4 canvas on my 2a. It is slow if you are not used to doing it, and quite hard work if the canvas is heavy, but quite doable.

For a chandlers away from the marinas, try Whitworths or Bias Boating http://www.biasboating.com.au/.

They have multiple locations around Oz - I assume they'd have what you need. Get their catalogues as their websites don't show all their products. Catalogues are free.

Ron

G'day RMP,

You mentioned that you'd like some holes as well.

A round punch called a "wad punch" can be used to cut clean holes in most soft materials, they're available from the chandlers or a good hardware store.

After you've made your holes, they should be reinforced with an eyelet and kits can be purchased from the same. You might want some extra reinforcing around the eyelet and this could be stitched on before punching the holes.

Cheers,
Mick.

Thanks all, certainly see the way to go now.

The cleverness on this forum never ceases to amaze!

Originally posted by rmp
Thanks all, certainly see the way to go now.

The cleverness on this forum never ceases to amaze!

well they do say on most forums,us landy owners are a bunch of smart arses

it seems its true :wink: :wink: