Video I found on sewing seams

[gunner76]

Came across this video on doing three different seams and the pros and cons of each. While not hammock gear specific, I thought is had some good into.



The guy recommends using a basting tape to keep the fabric from puckering ( he is using canvas ) and got me thinking...has anyone used a similar basting tape when sewing a tarp ridgeline ect ?

[Knotty]

Never tried basting tape but would suspect that it might gum up the needle a bit. Not a big deal when working with canvas but problematic with the lightweight synthetics used in tarps.

[captaincoupal]

I think basting tape is designed just for avoiding that - they indicate that it shouldn't, but if it does to clean the needle with alcohol while doing the job.

[VictoriaGuy]

Working with canvas/sunbrella and especially sailcloth is quite a bit different than dealing with the lightweight stuff most folks are using for DIY projects here.
With heavier materials, it's almost impossible to use rolled hems and seams that involve a lot of layers- you don't want to be dealing with many layers at corners, etc. , so you'll see more simple overlapping seams and in upholstery and heavy packs, simple seams with folded bias tape to cover the edges. IMO, those techniques aren't well suited to lightweight materials.
It's almost impossible to pin heavier sailcloth, and most of the seams for joining sail panels are curved, so tape really does help a lot. I have some Sailrite basting tape in my supplies here, but I've never considered using it with lightweight material. Pins work for me.
YMMV, etc...

Those videos are from Sailrite - good folks with excellent info on the website and decent prices. I've bought from them in the past and they shipped to me in Canada with no problems. I recommend them for heavy-duty supplies like sailmakers needles and palms and sail thread, etc. They also sell springs and parts to help your machine punch through heavy material. Time spent browsing their website DIY info will not be wasted.

[Ramblinrev]

The guy recommends using a basting tape to keep the fabric from puckering ( he is using canvas ) and got me thinking...has anyone used a similar basting tape when sewing a tarp ridgeline ect ?

IMO if he is having difficulty with canvas puckering he is doing something wrong. Rather very wrong. Canvas is heavy enough that it simply shold not pucker if sewed correctly. As a rule I do not recommend adhesives of any kind because of the transfer issues to the innards of the machine. I understand that progress has been made in fabric specific adhesives that may not do that. But I would not think it needed on canvas.

[gunner76]

I found the comment on puckering interesting too but then their DIY videos appear to be geared towards first time sewers so maybe they are having a problem.

[slugbait]

Basting tape may not stick to silnylon. (I haven't tried it).

[Redoleary]

Basting tape may not stick to silnylon. (I haven't tried it).

There is such a thing as silicone based adhesive basting tape which would stick to sil, it's not terribly cheap nor readily avail., but it does exist.