I am starting to think about the rear cockpit canvas on my boat.
Here is an example of that I want to so, same model boat.
What I really like is the rounded corners!
So... How do you think this was built?
How would you hem the curved corners? Or would you? Are they just cut out with a hot knife? Binding tape?
I am SOO curious as to what they did to make those corners
All I have is the photos, but I sure like the end result.
Thinking about the corners...
In order to do a hard angle corner you need two strips of material to intersect at whatever angle. Very efficient material wise.
Exactly - This is where the 2" Sunbrella facing us used
To do a round corner you need a corner piece, plus two separate pieces of material, or one very large piece of material and you cut out the area for the window. Thats how this one looks to me. Like it is a big piece of sunbrella that someone cut out the center of. Not so material efficient, but really nice looking.
I couldn't tell from the outside pic but I'm guessing you are correct - notes in last post discusses turning under the curved sections
On the inside he might have used strips of lighter material, but I cannot see the seam where he would have joined the corner piece to the side and top.
Again agree - it looks like intersecting pieces of 2" facing w/ a small corner radiused piece under them. They also added binding all around the inside to finish the inside. This could probably be avoided and still look finished if the side pieces met at an angle vs adding the radius
What I think we are looking at is a cut out window in a large piece inside and out with flaps sewn to hide the zippers. I think that the stitching we see in the photo.
I agree with you the radiused corners do add a nice look but also do add a level of complexity to make and a premium as far as material utilization.
I've seen many tops I considered very well done that had inside and outside finished but the facing intersections were angles vs radiuses - and they still looked very neat and attractive.
If you do it that way all the narrow pieces can be the pre-made 2" Sunbrella facing and the wider bottom pieces are custom made from SUnbrella fabric w/ 1 - edge turned under.
Finishing the inside does a lot to add a nice finished look and not a great expense if DIY.
Use of seaming tape is req'd for this type of work to look neat and well aligned.
You are wise to look over many boats to see what you like / dislike about various design and details. I have learned a lot by looking at others work.
One other thought - you might call or email Sailrite w/ a phot of what you are trying to copy and ask if any of their How To videos cover that detail. Even if you need to buy one vs a freeby well worth it if it covers the details. - they might be able to tell you ahead if time if / which one does cover it.
Good luck w/ the project
Machines
I purchased a hardly used Sailrite LS-1 (straight stitch) machine and have been using it for about 10 yrs. Straight stitch is adequate for almost all canvas work. The Zig-zag version LSZ-1 is nice but not essential IMHO - others may feel differently.
Many other heavy duty walking foot machines are out there and may have advantages over the ones mentioned. I only have experience w/ the LS-1
For DIY or hobby business I'd absolutely do it again. I've added the monster wheel and recommend it.Bacchus,
Are you happy with your machine brand, if you doing again going to purchase same model form Sailrite?
Any recommendation we on the way to send money to doing "like you"
Bacchus,
Are you happy with your machine brand, if you doing again going to purchase same model form Sailrite?
Any recommendation we on the way to send money to doing "like you"
It's really all about patterning correctly. If you get any Sailrite video on patterning, you will see how to properly create a template/pattern. Then the sewing part is easy.
As far as the sewing machine, i can say that one of the big plusses to the sailrite machine is its portability.
The ability to set it up in my salon is going to make allot of jobs easier as it will allow me to avoid the several hours of driving to get to the boat.
To you Sailrite owner/operators:
Is the zigzag functionality a necessity or just a nice to have for covers and stuff for the typical trawler?
I can see it being useful for sailmaking, but are you using zigzag function for trawler stuff?
To you Sailrite owner/operators:
Is the zigzag functionality a necessity or just a nice to have for covers and stuff for the typical trawler?
I can see it being useful for sailmaking, but are you using zigzag function for trawler stuff?
For DIY or hobby business I'd absolutely do it again. I've added the monster wheel and recommend it.
Ask them about any current / upcoming specials...they usually have something around boat shows.
Binding attachment prettyuch essential...otherwise lookback through the thread to see what I and others have set up.
Good luck w the adventure
Suggestion----and usually my suggestions are free and worth only what they cost.
I don't own a Sailrite machine, I own a Juki 1541S with a 1HP clutch motor. My machine has enough gonads to almost be able to sew sheet metal. OK, not trying to push a Juki, rather I want to suggest that you shop EBay or elsewhere for a used walking foot commercial/industrial machine driven with a large motor which is lacking in an inexpensive Sailrite.
Never had a so called "dull" needle problem. And for what its worth, a ball pointed needle is recommended for sewing canvas, not one that is sharp pointed. The only times I change a needle is when I break the one in the machine when it hits a grommet or something similar or teh needle hole wears a sharp edge from the thread being pulled through. The hole wear is rare, maybe after going through a couple of pounds of #92 polyester thread.
Foggy
Ok I'm going to look the Juki to see difference but we living onboard so effectively a portable machine are definitively important for us
Ok I'm going to look the Juki to see difference but we living onboard so effectively a portable machine are definitively important for us
A large flat surface to do layout and lay pieces flat while sewing is really helpful...maybe essential...to doing a neat job. You might look for a location ashore to set up when doing lg pieces.