My latest canvas project!

[Besslb]

Can you believe it???* They Fit!* A little long, just an inch or so to come off the bottom zipper pocket.* But look at that.* I did it!!!

Side glass supplies arrive on Tuesday.* We'll have a full enclosure before December gets here!* YAY me!

 

[Forkliftt]

Very nice!!

 

[Besslb]

Thanks Steve!!!* I'm hoping for light winds tomorrow so I can pattern the side curtains.

 

[Delia Rosa]

Looks great!

 

[Besslb]

I had an epiphany the other day.** The reason canvas shops charge so much, is because they must buy enough materials to make your canvas project two or three times.* That way, when they screw up, they have enough materials on hand without needing to wait for extra supplies to arrive.**

I haven't screwed up really bad yet, but one side panel did get taken apart and resewn twice.* I don't think the glass will take a third try if it doesn't fit.

First side panel fittings next weekend.* Keep your fingers and toes crossed for me!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

*

 

[Moonstruck]

Great job, Bess!* They really look nice.* You really could do it professionally.

 

[Tom.B]

Moonstruck wrote:
Great job, Bess!* They really look nice.* You really could do it professionally.

*Shhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!

 

[Besslb]

superdiver wrote:
Do you need a special sewing machine to sew canvas like this?

*You do need an industrial machine.* Your common household Singer will not go through 4-8 layers of Sunbrella.* And you do end up with 4-8 layers in corners.** But Sailrite has two options for us do it yourselfers....for apprx $800.00.*

 

[Besslb]

Moonstruck wrote:
Great job, Bess!* They really look nice.* You really could do it professionally.

*Thanks Don!!* It's definately an option to think about seriously.* I am loving the work...and they must make good money.* Seems like a good seasonal job to have at the coast.*

 

[JD]

We rode by with the dink yesterday and the top looks great.

What color is that? It has a sliver tint when the sun is on it yet it looks beige.

 

[Besslb]

JD - The Bimini is linen tweed Seamark.* It's kinda brown/bronze on the top and linen beige on the inside.* We had the bimini done while we were in Carolina Beach.** See ya on the weekend!

 

[JD]

We are going to Oriental on Saturday and back on Sunday want to join us? One of our sailboat friends fron NWC is taking their boat so maybe we could have three boats.


-- Edited by JD on Tuesday 22nd of November 2011 04:05:20 PM

 

[rwidman]

Besslb wrote:superdiver wrote:
Do you need a special sewing machine to sew canvas like this?

*You do need an industrial machine.* Your common household Singer will not go through 4-8 layers of Sunbrella.* And you do end up with 4-8 layers in corners.** But Sailrite has two options for us do it yourselfers....for apprx $800.00.*

An old Singer direct drive straight stitch sewing machine will handle 4 layers.* It may handle six with a sharp needle.* I bought a model 201 on ebay and have restitched my canvas, installed zippers, and made chair and helm covers with it.

If you're doing to do a lot or even a moderate amount of boat canvas work, a heavy duty walking foot sewing machine is better.

*


-- Edited by rwidman on Saturday 26th of November 2011 07:01:30 PM

 

[Besslb]

That is very true, the old singers, pfaffs and kenmores will totally be able to handle canvas.* The new ones that are mostly plastic will not.**I*only mentioned Sailrite, because I love mine!* It sits right next to my*new little singer for lighter weight jobs.*

 

[Besslb]

First fitting of the side panels for the flybridge enclosure!!* Almost done!!

 

[rwidman]

Besslb wrote:
That is very true, the old singers, pfaffs and kenmores will totally be able to handle canvas.* The new ones that are mostly plastic will not.**I*only mentioned Sailrite, because I love mine!* It sits right next to my*new little singer for lighter weight jobs.*

I have "traditional" style furniture in my house so I was able to find a nice Singer cabinet and bench for my machine.* It's in the bedroom and looks like it belongs there.

But, if I had the space and planned on doing more sewing, I would have the Sailrite and a 10' X 10' table.

*

 

[JD]

Bess,

Are you saying a good Pfaff from the 60's is a strong enough machine to do some light canvas work.

 

[Besslb]

JD - Yes, I believe so.* My Mom had one...it was all steel just like my Sailrite.***Mom used to*make jeans for us, so sure, why not light canvas work and cushions?* And someone at the marina said they were using an old Kenmore.** If you have one, try it on some scrap remnants.* And get some heavier duty needles and thread.

*


-- Edited by Besslb on Monday 28th of November 2011 08:42:49 PM

 

[Moonstruck]

Bess, are you using a Gortex or similar type thread?

 

[Besslb]

Don,* I am using Sailrite's bonded polyester thread V-92.* It's the "industry standard".* I know that the Tanera is the lifetime thread, but I wasn't spending 120 bucks per spool while I'm learning how to do this.* * And, I'm pretty certain I'll want to change colors before this thread breaks down.** I have alot of practicing to do before I spend that money on thread.*

Hopefully final fitting and good pictures this weekend!!*

 

[Besslb]

Are you ready for the end of this project???* I AM!!*

Here she is in all her glory!* I really love this boat.*

*

 

[Forkliftt]

Capital W ow!!
That looks awesome!!!

 

[Moonstruck]

Pro job all the way, Bess.

 

[Besslb]

Thanks Steve and Don!!* I appreciate you following along in this adventure!

 

[CPseudonym]

Late to the party but very well done!

Very inspiring and interesting "thread" to follow.

 

[JD]

Looks good Bess.

I'll be down on Thursday so I'll come over on Saturday or Sunday to have a look first hand.

 

[Moonstruck]

JD wrote:
Looks good Bess.

I'll be down on Thursday so I'll come over on Saturday or Sunday to have a look first hand.

*Bess, before you help JD with his canvas, see if you can help with his wardrobe. *He seems to have had a wardrobe malfunction.

 

[JD]

Moonstruck wrote:JD wrote:Looks good Bess.
I'll be down on Thursday so I'll come over on Saturday or Sunday to have a look first hand.

Bess, before you help JD with his canvas, see if you can help with his wardrobe. *He seems to have had a wardrobe malfunction.

*You would love to have that pink robe.* It would match your bunny slippers.

-- Edited by JD on Monday 5th of December 2011 01:32:00 PM

 

[Moonstruck]

JD wrote:Moonstruck wrote:JD wrote:Looks good Bess.
I'll be down on Thursday so I'll come over on Saturday or Sunday to have a look first hand.

Bess, before you help JD with his canvas, see if you can help with his wardrobe. *He seems to have had a wardrobe malfunction.

*You would love to have that pink robe.* It would match your bunny slippers.

-- Edited by JD on Monday 5th of December 2011 01:32:00 PM

*How did you guess?

 

[Besslb]

Not sure I want to know about the wardrobe malfunction!*

JD- we may or may not be there...I brought the panels back for a little tweaking.* But as of about*30 minutes ago,*I am seriously officially done with the surround!* YAY!!*

I'm really glad I attempted this project...it was way easier than I ever thought it could be.* I spent more time sitting on the bow looking up at the bimini than I actually did sewing.* It took many hours of thinking and many frosty beverages to decide how to do this.* And now we will be more comfortable during the winter months.* Sure, we'd rather be in Florida or the Bahamas...but for now...we'll have a little less to bitch about as we suffer through boating through the winter.*

*