So Tobit wants to sew a tarp!

[Tobit]

Ok, I think I am going to trying sewing a tarp for a few reasons. This list of reasons is many so I won't clutter up my post with all of them.

I think I'm going to make it a simple flat tarp for this initial project and may try a fancier catenary cut tarp in the future if this comes out ok. I will be using Ed Speer's 1.1oz. Sil as his price of $5.95 simply can't be beat and I really want 1.1oz. material. I'd prefer camo print but I can't seem to find camo print in 1.1oz. only 1.9 oz. I'll use 1.9oz. material to reinforce the tie-outs.

My initial question is how does one sew the ridgeline? Do you just place one half of the material on top of the other half and sew?

I'm sure I'll have lots of other questions as I start. I'm going to order materials next week.

[Hooch]

My initial question is how does one sew the ridgeline? Do you just place one half of the material on top of the other half and sew?

Though I've yet to be brave enought to attempt my first tarp, in my research and reading, it seems to me that the ridgeline is best accomplished with the use of a flat felled seam. If I'm wrong on this, someone please correct me.

[Tobit]

Though I've yet to be brave enought to attempt my first tarp, in my research and reading, it seems to me that the ridgeline is best accomplished with the use of a flat felled seam. If I'm wrong on this, someone please correct me.

Yeah, I've read this too in several how-to articles but they don't expand on how to sew this.

[Hooch]

Maybe this will help? Seems pretty straightforward to me.

[Narwhalin]

That is what I have seen that is recommended. In the BlackCat directions (Which I referenced for both tarps I have made, that are not BlackCats) that is what he uses.

On my new tarp, I used a french seam. I did this because I read in a product description that the tarp was made using a "true french-felled" seam, and that it saves seam sealer weight. That said, I had no idea if the french seam was the "true french-felled" seam they were referring to when I sewed it. Actually, was pretty sure it wasn't!

If anyone could explain a what this french felled seam is, I would appriciate it.

[Tobit]

Maybe this will help? Seems pretty straightforward to me.

That helps a lot, have not seen that before. Gracias!

[Ramblinrev]

An aternative method is to even up the seam allowances on both pieces. Then after the first pass trim off the seam allowance of one piece and follow the rest of the directions. part of the issue depends on how the measurements have been calculated and whether repositioning the fabric will make any difference. I personally brefer to have the even edges and trim. I think it is easier to keep the alignment that way. But to each their own.

[Tobit]

An aternative method is to even up the seam allowances on both pieces.

Yeah, I just finished reading about this on a site for making DIY jeans. I believe this is the way it was done in the BlackCat instructions as well. However, although he didn't expand on how to do the seam, the way he positioned fabric halves indicate this. I'll probably do this as well.

[Hack]

I agree that a flat-felled seam is the way to go. A couple of years ago I sewed up a jacket for winter endeavours. I foung that practicing with pieces about 6 to 8 inched long helped a lot. It gave me the confidence for when it mattered. Using some old pieces of t-shirt or whatever would do the trick.

Happy sewing.

[Tobit]

Well, the tarp project is on hold for awhile. Brian @ OES assures me he can get an Ultra to me even while he is out of town and it's not going to cost me much more for a MacCat vs. making my own so what the heck.