Bar Tack Stitch Direction for Tree Huggers

**joelisaacgasser** · 07-22-2017, 15:06

Hello everyone!

Like most people (I think), I've always sewn my bar tacks for tree huggers perpendicular to the polyester webbing and gotten decent looking results, but for the first time, I tried sewing along the vertical axis and the stitches look way nicer and more even.

So here's my question, has anyone ever tried this themselves or seen it elsewhere?

You guys think that sewing the tacks vertically might be stronger or weaker?

Thanks,

Joel

PS. in case anyone is wondering, the green thread is the top thread and the fucsia is the bobbin thread.

**oldgringo** · 07-22-2017, 15:17

Stronger, or strong enough? I doubt if either style is going to drop you.

**GadgetUK437** · 07-22-2017, 15:23

I would have thought, with the longitudinal stitches, that the load is being taken by a narrow section of the full width.

--
Gadget

**jellyfish** · 07-22-2017, 15:56

Tacblades does his with 3 rows for a few inches down the length and that system makes sense. I do a box stitch on mine. If you lose a row across the width you will be caught by the next row, I'd imagine.

**jellyfish** · 07-22-2017, 15:57

What type of thread are you using in those jazzy colors?

**joelisaacgasser** · 07-22-2017, 16:09

Gutermann Mara 70 in Fuscia and Lime green (not sure about the exact green). I'm tempted to do the vertical stitches because I think they look better (and rich if you use colors).

Watching Tac Blade, I'm wondering if I want fewer stitches...

**Tacblades** · 07-22-2017, 16:44

The neatest, strongest and eaisest way i know
https://youtu.be/DhhmcyPKYGA

Sent from my LG-H815 using Tapatalk

**gargoyle** · 07-22-2017, 17:15

There is a thread floating around where the guy did some scientific testing.
The long V's or W's performed the best.

Box stitch has been used for years in automobiles seatbelts and industrial heavy lifting straps, and works fine.
Lengthwise or widthwise bar tacks works too.

It is a matter of preference, when done properly.

Edit-Add photo and W.
click to see image.
https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...5&d=1375005926

**dscotthep** · 07-23-2017, 21:39

If you go with the long, lengthwise tacks, you're only using about 25% of the width of your webbing. Your 1500 pound straps are now only 375 pound straps.