straight stitch or zig zag?

[WickedKlown2]

Haha...well, you asked.

I, too, thought zigzags were stronger, but learned that straight stitches 8-10 stitches per inch are best. There was a thread somewhere that addressed this and quoted from a military parachute guide that directly stated that straight stitches were to be used in the construction of parachutes...well, that would definitely be an application where you would want as strong a stitch as possible!

Here is the thread and it was my post from it http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=62518

I hope that helps

[JohnSawyer]

zig zag came into popular use in the home market when the double knit fabric was introduced to the retail trade. A stitch that allowed more stretch was required for that fabric. As stretch fabrics became more popular and technical additi9on stretch stitches were developed for the home market. Given the fabrics and applications used in gear making there is virtual no reason to use a zig zag except for button holes which show up very infrequently in gear.

So... what about zig-zags for bartacking? or is that unnecessary too?

[Ramblinrev]

So... what about zig-zags for bartacking? or is that unnecessary too?

I don't usually use it any more... but that's cause I'm too lazy to play with the controls. Remember I was talking about places where zig zag is "required" or far superior. I just don't see it. But there's no reason not to use it if you want to. Bar tacking is ages old and precedes the zig zag feature by decades. Sew you own bar tacks.

[JohnSawyer]

I don't usually use it any more... but that's cause I'm too lazy to play with the controls. Remember I was talking about places where zig zag is "required" or far superior. I just don't see it. But there's no reason not to use it if you want to. Bar tacking is ages old and precedes the zig zag feature by decades. Sew you own bar tacks.

Thanks! +10