He deserves it... I thought I'd bitten off more than I could chew and he could sew but no, he's coped admirably with the Tencate canvas - and only used two jeans needles .
My brother is my domestic sewing machine and it's worked really well so far. The pile of grey canvas and metres of grey tape now look like a proper tent (I'm making an alternative front canopy for our Estoril, with side panels).
But, not quite finished yet. I still have the pegging points to complete (I'm not sure what method to use), and eyelets for the canopy poles.
Oh, and small matter of the two windows...
That so far has caused a few outbursts of Anglo Saxon English.
I tried tacking on the panel with sticky tape. It peeled off the canvas.
I tried pinning on the seam line. The machine wouldn't sew as the presser foot stuck on the plastic.
So, pardon the pun, I'm back to hand-sewing I think.
I was planning on neatening/reinforcing the edges of the window with tape but maybe not if I have to DImyself rather than use my Brother!
Any other tips - I thought of putting paper under the presser foot, like you do with chiffon or slippy fabrics, but that seems a pfaff, and I want to use it shortly.
Can't put pics up yet, but will when it's finished, including the one where the cat decides to help...
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I`m far from an expert in anything at all sewing related, in fact I know next to nothing but if the foot on the sewing machine sticks to the plastic window could you use something like a piece of paper in between them that would reduce the friction and allow you to rip it out once the whole sewing job was finished?
I'm feeling a bit chuffed, but worried I've under-estimated the length of the sides, despite measuring it when we put the tent up a few weeks back and before ordering the fabric... (I have a history of mis-measuring curtains .
Thanks for the good wishes, it's been a while in gestation!
------------- Camping - emotional resilience in action, a triumph of hope over adversity and antidote to virtual reality.
Oh works somewhere where they use a lot of fabric/plastic..
He confirms what the poster above said - paper against the feet dogs (his description - underneath the fabric) and above. You should be able to rip it off afterwards as it will be perforated. That should stop if sticking.
Thought you meant your brother, as in sibling, was doing it all for you. Thought he was being very kind until I realised you meant a Brother sewing machine
years ago i worked as a sewing machinist and we frequently sewed plastic that would catch on the foot of the machine the best way round it is WD40 on the window as it helps the foot to slide across the plastic hope that helps really looking forward to seeing some pictures
Hi there, I might try the paper approach... will let you know how it goes or if I resort to the manual method (needle and thimble).
Sbarrett, thanks for the post but I think WD40 might affect the waterproof qualities of the cotton canvas should it get onto the material. I understand from here you have to be careful with lubricating zips etc. Very much appreciate the suggestion tho', keep em coming
Day at work today so not any further along with the project. Wednesday is the next sewing day. I'm building myself up for the final stretch.
------------- Camping - emotional resilience in action, a triumph of hope over adversity and antidote to virtual reality.
Yes wd40 probably not right stuff why not try a silicon spray something like back to black that will not hurt the weather proof infant would probably help
------------- Tim
Harlyn August
Hopefully somewhere for a weekend in Sept
Am awaiting pictures of the finished project with interest. We have acquired a Las Palmas from a well know auction site which I believe is the same dimensions as the Estoril. Might fancy having a go myself.
Well, back to the machine today: sewn on the D rings and tabs for the pegging points, and put on the eyelets (using PVC tablecloth fabric for reinforcement). Now just those pesky winders to fit!
I'm wondering if I could use said tablecloth fabric as mudwalling as I'd not spotted that for sale on the web (as opposed to mudflap fabric. A thought, just in case the side panels are a bit short.
ElizaD - good luck with your project: I'll let you know how I get on. Here's my original thread about this which might be helpful:
Weheyyyyy.... sewn on 3/4 of the windows with the machine.
I used strips of newspaper under the presser foot, worked a dream (but the seams would definitely be subject to a QA complaint, although the wavyness is quite decorative!).
Now just the final bit by hand: tip for any future seamstress. Sew in the windows as early as you can before adding too much canvas... there's now nowhere to put all the material as the 'arch' of the machine is very small.
I'm not sure I'll manage to sew on the neatening tape as we go away very soon. That might have to come after.
Post last edited on 05/07/2012 11:11:41
------------- Camping - emotional resilience in action, a triumph of hope over adversity and antidote to virtual reality.
FINISHED... bar fancy edging stuff on the window 'frame'.
Managed to squeeze the fabric through the machine kind of vertically, after rolling it up. Worked a treat. I wasn't relishing the handsewing, pinning the tough stuff was bad enough on the finger pads.
So, complete but, as yet, untried or tested.
It weighs a ton - sooooooo much more than the original canopy which seems very flimsy in comparison!
Thanks for the tips and interest
------------- Camping - emotional resilience in action, a triumph of hope over adversity and antidote to virtual reality.
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Topic: Give my Brother a slap on the back!
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Well done you!
