sewing silnylon?

[Randle]

I picked 3 yards of silnylon and getting ready for a project tarp , I remember reading about it being hard to work with, can you guys share any tips before we start? My wife will be sewing for me.
Tha.nks

 

[realunlucky]

Two pieces slip make sure you secure them together very well. I used pins in the seam allowance

 

[Tim M]

The biggest thing to remember about sewing silnylon or any of the other super lightweight slippery materials is that it must be sewn while under tension. Don't pull it through a machine but keep it taught at all times and remember that pins (in the seam allowance) are your friend.

 

[Ironman8]

I'll second the above. You'll have to play with it and figure out what works best for you. Already knowing how to sew is more than half the battle!

 

[mrbillbrown]

I used one of my kids glue sticks to hold the edges together while I sewed. It cost me a little extra seam allowance but it's much quicker to swipe a strip of glue stick than mess with all the pins. YMMV

 

[colonel00]

I haven't done really long seams like on a tarp but I've sewn a bit of silnylon. Glue sticks is a good idea. It won't hold permanently but it will add some resistance to reduce the slip. Also, I like to use binder clips. You can go to Walmart and get a bulk pack for under $20 and have more clips than you would ever need. Also, many find that a walking foot for your sewing machine may make the sewing a bit easier. I would suggest that you do a few practice runs with scrap material before you jump into a long ridgeline seam.

 

[Randle]

Great thanks for the tips, I read them to the wifey and she liked the glue stick idea. I am thinking a meat bag for bone in elk quarters to start the practice run.

 

[ndbwhunter]

Pins, pins, and more pins. Keep it tight. Thread tension is key while working with silnylon. Just take your time, and be sure to make a few practice runs.

 

[yardwork]

Would hot glue work to tack the seams?

 

[colonel00]

I don't know that it would have any added effect. Remember, the only thing that sticks to silnylon is silicone. Now, you could use a thinned silicone solution much like a seam sealer to hold seams together. It could be messy and cause issues with gumming up your sewing machine though. Not sure, just guessing.

 

[ARCHER11]

I'll be tackling a project with silnylon in the coming months and i'm planning on using bobby pins or hem/hair clips. I'm thinking the hair clips will work great. No holes in the fabric or your fingers. Anyone used either of those for your silnylon projects?

 

[colonel00]

I haven't used hair clips but as mentioned previously, go to Walmart and pick up a bucket of binder clips for less than $10. They work good and you will have more than you need.

 

[Archerm]

I have used Tenara thread with excellent results on marine projects. It is a lifetime thread but expensive, Has anyone tried it on Silnylon.

 

[realunlucky]

I used coats upholstery thread on shelter project and its a thicker diameter . I would think your ok using any quality thread

 

[colonel00]

You do want 100% Polyester though or at least something that doesn't have cotton.

 

[Randle]

Well the wifey helped me get setup, I used 100% poly thread, and glue sticks to hold the hems together while sewing.
I sewed a 28" x 60" quarter meat/ Emergency bivy and a 4' x 5 ' Emergency tarp. These will be in my pack all the time for those unexpected over nights
The meat bag comes up to my chest and the small tarp I can pitch overhead above that. The tarp will also be a ground tarp for laying meat out, a wind
break if needed , a poncho if caught out without rain gear. I think Manosteel did something like this that gave me the idea to make my own stuff. The tarp is smaller then I wanted but still should work. I should have bought more material.
Thanks to all who replied with advice on sewing.

PS.. my wife says she has created a monster I am starting to sew all my own I am usually a welder fabricator type so this is all new to me.