Silnylon tarp ridgeline stitch.

[MattBigmonster]

Hi guys.
I need help and clarification. After looking through YT videos and reading through various threads I'm more confused than informed. What is the current consensus on the best stitch and thread to do a ridgeline on a 30d-40d large silnylon tarp? I'm quite competent behind sewing machine (I make hammocks semiprofessionally) just want to skip as much of the trial and error as possible as silnylon is quite expensive in my country.

This thread sums up my confusion perfectly (apologies for linking to another forum):
https://backpackinglight.com/forums/topic/27585/

Also I have a good stockpile of Gutterman Terra 60 thread, would that be suitable for tarps? I plan to seam seal anyway.

I'm very grateful for any advice.

[Shug]

I used flat felled seams and seam sealed them on my DIY tarps. Been serving me great for years. Never a drip.
http://www.tothewoods.net/ImagesStay...ackCatTarp.pdf
Shug

[MattBigmonster]

Thank you mr Shug.

All the best from sector 12.

[Shug]

Thank you mr Shug.

All the best from sector 12.

Lock 'em down.
Literally.

[OneClick]

I'll be doing a lot of that flat felled soon. Looks like a real SOB on long runs.

[Countrybois]

I'll be doing a lot of that flat felled soon. Looks like a real SOB on long runs.

I use 3/8" basting tape from SailRite to assist. Sticks pretty well to the sil fabrics.

I put the tape on one edge then peel the facing as I stick the second tarp piece to it. There should now been a full sized tarp with the overlapping edges taped to one another. Then just roll the seam once and sew it down. Works very well, you just have to be mindful that your needle may get gummed up a little from the adhesive. Wipe it a time or two per row of stitches and you should be good.

This gives you two rows of stitching through both pieces of fabric.

I have also done the same process but sandwiched a strip of 3/8 grosgrain in the middle to strengthen the seam. Probably overkill, but sometimes I like overkill.

To answer the OP...I use a straight stitch about 8 per inch.and Guterman Mara 70 for all my gear work.

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

[MattBigmonster]

I use 3/8" basting tape from SailRite to assist. Sticks pretty well to the sil fabrics.

I put the tape on one edge then peel the facing as I stick the second tarp piece to it. There should now been a full sized tarp with the overlapping edges taped to one another. Then just roll the seam once and sew it down. Works very well, you just have to be mindful that your needle may get gummed up a little from the adhesive. Wipe it a time or two per row of stitches and you should be good.

This gives you two rows of stitching through both pieces of fabric.

I have also done the same process but sandwiched a strip of 3/8 grosgrain in the middle to strengthen the seam. Probably overkill, but sometimes I like overkill.

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

I was thinking about doing the grosgrain tape inside the ridgeline seam but my experience with silnylon tells me this might impair fabric stretch and would result in light creases and loose halves when pitched.

[OneClick]

I used their 1/4 basting tape and got sticky after just a few inches. No issues, but I'll have to watch it after some more use.

When you say roll it once, you mean just lie flat? Or actually roll so you're making a "tube"?

[slugbait]

My DIY silicone nylon ripstop tarp is now 10 years old. I used Guterman Sews-all thread and a flat-felled seam, and sealed the ridge with windshield sealant. The ridge and all 4 edges are straight (no cat cuts). The tarp is holding up fine- no issues.