Ogee Tarp Sewing Help

[Zach C.]

Hello ladies and gentlemen.

First post and I need some help. Bad form? I never did have much couth. Sorry.

I decided to make an Ogee style tarp out of some silnylon ripstop- 40d, I think.

I cut the side triangle pieces on the bias and I'm having trouble getting it seen without puckering.

Anybody have any hints/ tips they can share to help make this less painful?

Thanks!

[Shug]

This may help some.
Maybe try a walking foot.
Less or more tension on sewing machine perhaps.
Shug

[gargoyle]

If you have some leftover fabric test on those.
Without being there it’s hard to say what causes are.
Technique and proper machine set up, thread tensions (both upper and bobbin-and properly threaded)
Needle and thread combo.
Foot pressure and stitch plate hole size.
Stitches per inch.
Are the dogs adjusted for thinner fabric?
Maybe a good cleaning? Sometimes a stray thread or lint can build up?

It’s slick thin fabric, do you have experience?

[Zach C.]

Thanks to you both.

I'll have to watch the vid later.

I have little experience, but have successfully placed a roll hem on the ends of the long piece and the other two sides of the triangle. That went well enough, though I did have trouble keeping equal stitch length. Never sewn sil before, but sewed a bunch of gear from ripstop and Cordura many years ago.

I think I'm good on all of the above except maybe the feed dogs and the walking foot. I am almost certain that we have one around here and that my wife showed it to me the other day, yet we can't find it. Going to need to keep looking.

I got some sailrite basting tape in the mail today, so I'm going try that soon.

Thanks again

[XJ35S]

A peice of scotch tape on the bottom of the foot really lets the fabrid slide by easily if you can't find the walking foot. Seriously loosen the spring pressure on the foot. My singer is backed off all the way and sews nicely.

Good luck and please show the finished product.

[P-Dub]

Be sure to check Jellyfish's videos -- she's a member here and has made some excellent tutorials showing how to sew with these odd fabrics we use.

[Zach C.]

Thanks for all the suggestions.

This morning I tried some Sailrite basting tape on a bit of scrap that I had and this looks very promising.

It seems pretty easy to work with and totally eliminated the slippage between layers that was causing my problems.

I may not get back to this for a few days, but will report back with pics when I do.

Thanks again.

[Zach C.]

Be sure to check Jellyfish's videos

Thanks.

I have watched a number of them and found them very helpful.