The best stitch!

[Bubba]

I think the ENO use a stretch stitch so that's why they look meatty.

[doogie]

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.

[gmcttr]

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

[Boston]

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.

[Ramblinrev]

IIRC the last time I looked at a double nest the stitching for the "extension" pieces was a chain stitch.

That makes me shudder just to think about it. I've never studied an ENO with that in mind but it would be a decided deal breaker for me if true. One abraded point and your hammock opens up like an old Purina Dog Chow bag. Yikes.

[Bcarrawa]

I think the ENO use a stretch stitch so that's why they look meatty.

Can you perform a "stretch" stitch with the standard lock stitch machine?

[Bcarrawa]

That makes me shudder just to think about it. I've never studied an ENO with that in mind but it would be a decided deal breaker for me if true. One abraded point and your hammock opens up like an old Purina Dog Chow bag. Yikes.

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

[Bubba]

Can you perform a "stretch" stitch with the standard lock stitch machine?

Depends on the machine. Some do and some don't.

Some people make gear with machines that only do a lock stitch. Other stitches are nice to have like zig zag but for any gear making its totally possible to only use a lock stitch.

What kind of machine do you have?

[Ramblinrev]

Can you perform a "stretch" stitch with the standard lock stitch machine?

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.

[Ramblinrev]

This is the ENO that I have seen, and thought the stitching looked strong and different than a lock stitch.

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.