Speer DIY tarp

[tboss70]

I purchased the Speer DIY tarp kit (8x10 rectangular) and have a couple questions.
1) how easy is it to sew since its silnylon? Would an experienced sewer be able to handle this job or is the material very difficult to deal with?

Just wondering if i should ship it to someone and pay them to do it.

Thanks,
-tb

[WV]

You can do it.

[Shug]

Just remember to let the sewing machine do the work ... relax and let the machine draw the fabric through the feed and footers. All will go well.

[tboss70]

Thanks for the encouraging comments.
Will I have to adjust the feed/footer to help pull the material through or should I just keep tension on it?

[Ramblinrev]

the use of the machine is virtually identical to sewing any fabric. Upper thread tension may need adjustment. Presser foot tension may need some tweaking but those are things you check on scrap first. Otherwise sewing sil is not that much different. What is different is the preparation of the sil itself. Lots of pins or some kind of stabilization devices to keep the fabric from slipping around on itself. Taut (not high) tension on the fabric front and back of the presser foot helps but let the feed dogs move the fabric. All you are trying to do is keep the material from bunching up.

You'll get the hang of it without too much trouble.

[KerMegan]

I find it best to keep tension fore and aft, but do your best not to pull the fabric ahead of the feed advance. KM

[tboss70]

Thanks again gentlemen! Will give it a go!

[MondayHopscotch]

yeah, it's really not that bad --- My tarp was one of my few sewing projects, and the biggest by far. No problems at all, just use plenty of pins

[tboss70]

Just a follow up; this project is finished and you were right...it wasnt that bad.
Biggest part of the project was pinning.
I tried an over the tarp ridgeline. Did a quick setup and tear down before dark set in. Here it is...

[Cranky Bear]

Tarp looks great, very nice job!!