Help with fabric and thread.

**Trail Troll** · 12-11-2016, 15:28

I'm about to start learning to sew so I've thought of a few easy projects to do. If Santa brings me a hammock kit I'll be doing that after Christmas. To warm up on the thread injector I thought I would start off with some stuff sacks and a bag for a gravity filter. The stuff sacks will be of different materials to get a feel for them. I'm debating if xenon .9 would hold water for the gravity filter bag, or if I need to go with a different material. I'd hate to get it and it leak through.

Also I was thinking of using a gutermann mara 70 for thread. Is that a good choice for the application? I was hoping to make a few of the filter systems for friends and family, so I'd like to hand off something that would last.

Any help, suggestions, pointers, or videos wold be much appreciated from this novice. Thanks

**Tyst Död** · 12-11-2016, 15:42

I use the 70. Sew on 1.0 without difficulty.
You have to hold and guide the fabric as you sew. I would practice on scraps first then do the stuff sacks.
Xenon .9 is silpoly nonbreathable and will hold water. You can seal with a mix is 100% silicone and oderless mineral spirits, there's also other products that do the same thing.

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**Trail Troll** · 12-11-2016, 15:46

Thanks for the suggestions.

Any specifics on how to mix the mineral spirits and silicone?

**Tyst Död** · 12-11-2016, 15:54

I mix it till I find the consistency I like. Sometimes I like it a bit more flowable to penetrate farther into the thread.

When doing a large tarp I'd use a 5 gallon bucket with a home made mixer( an old arrow shafts and zip ties) attached to a cordless drill.
Most the time I make small batches and apply with a brush.

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**Tyst Död** · 12-11-2016, 15:57

https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...n-DIY-Silnylon

This should help. There's a few more around also

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**Trail Troll** · 12-11-2016, 16:21

Thanks bud.

**Tyst Död** · 12-11-2016, 16:59

Originally Posted by Trail Troll

Thanks bud.

NP Trail Troll.

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**Trail Troll** · 12-11-2016, 19:50

If xenon .9 is a silpoly would I even need to seal over it again.

**Tyst Död** · 12-11-2016, 20:11

I haven't made a filtration bag but if a little bit of water leaking through the sewn seams doesn't matter then You'd be fine. A few of the bags I made I sealed the seams with the mixture.

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**Trail Troll** · 12-11-2016, 21:22

The sewn seem would only be around the edges. My idea is to cut a circular pattern and sew some grosgain around the edge. Then put some small grommets for shock cord. (Think DIY version of the amigo pro, different filter.)

If it doesn't work I was thinking of sewing a round bottom bag which yes I would have to seal the seams.