I think the ENO use a stretch stitch so that's why they look meatty.
I think the ENO use a stretch stitch so that's why they look meatty.
Don't let life get in the way of living.
I inherited both a serger (interlock) and a normal machine. I only use the serger for stuff sacks and gear organizers so I don't have to roll all the edges. On the hammocks and tarps it's nothing but a standard machine. With all I use good quality thread...normally Gutterman's.
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I don't have an ENO and have no idea what they use....BUT....don't over complicate it.
As stated, the standard straight stitch (lock stitch) produced by all home sewing machines in the range of 8-10 stitches per inch is what you will use for hammock and gear making.
No one can tell you which tension setting on your machine will be correct. It is a function of any given needle/thread/fabric combination you are using along with the idiosyncrasies of your machine. Your user manual will have instructions for setting tension to achieve a balanced stitch.
tension.jpg
IIRC the last time I looked at a double nest the stitching for the "extension" pieces was a chain stitch. They also use pretty heavy thread that most home machines probably wouldn't be able to feed correctly.
Still, for DIY don't stress about it. A straight stitch (technically called a lock stitch), will do everything you need.
I may be slow... But I sure am gimpy.
"Bless you child, when you set out to thread a needle don't hold the thread still and fetch the needle up to it; hold the needle still and poke the thread at it; that's the way a woman most always does, but a man always does t'other way."
Mrs. Loftus to Huck Finn
We Don't Sew... We Make Gear! video series
Important thread injector guidelines especially for Newbies
Bobbin Tension - A Personal Viewpoint
This is the ENO that I have seen, and thought the stitching looked strong and different than a lock stitch.ENO bottom2.jpg
ENO top.jpg
Don't let life get in the way of living.
Some of the modern machines do have a stretch stitch. The vintage machines do not. In the 70's there was a movement called "Stretch and Sew" which revolutionized the home sewing market. All of a sudden double knits were available for home stitchers. The zig zag became a widely added stitch to the "modern" machines and served as an ersatz stretch stitch. Soon the technical fabrics became available for the home market and new stitches that are true stretch stitches were added to the already installed stitch menu.
I may be slow... But I sure am gimpy.
"Bless you child, when you set out to thread a needle don't hold the thread still and fetch the needle up to it; hold the needle still and poke the thread at it; that's the way a woman most always does, but a man always does t'other way."
Mrs. Loftus to Huck Finn
We Don't Sew... We Make Gear! video series
Important thread injector guidelines especially for Newbies
Bobbin Tension - A Personal Viewpoint
There's more to that story than the chain stitch, if indeed that's what it is. That seam is along the line of a flat felled seam and it would not come open like an old bag of Purina Dog Chow. I agree, the seam looks quite robust. I'd like to deconstruct that seam and see what is going on, but I'm not going to go out and buy one just to take it apart. Thanks for the pictures. I am no longer shuddering but I think there is more there than meets the eye.
I may be slow... But I sure am gimpy.
"Bless you child, when you set out to thread a needle don't hold the thread still and fetch the needle up to it; hold the needle still and poke the thread at it; that's the way a woman most always does, but a man always does t'other way."
Mrs. Loftus to Huck Finn
We Don't Sew... We Make Gear! video series
Important thread injector guidelines especially for Newbies
Bobbin Tension - A Personal Viewpoint
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