MYOG Tarp Edges

[gargoyle]

Nope, not psychic. It just made sense, and you've been known to make sense in the past, so ...

Good god, man, don't let my wife know.


but thanks for the attaboy, somedays I wonder if anything makes sense??

[sclittlefield]

Cool...thanks for the tip. 2 less curves to deal with.

Still waiting on my sil, but I think I am ready to conquer this beast. Hope my flat felled seam turns out good.

I thought about using an accent color. They had some purple that would have looked cool with the black. I was afraid any mistakes would be more noticeable, though.

I am using simple webbing loops for the tie-outs. Any recommendations on what width webbing to use?

I recommend an improvised flat-felled seam. It's a french seam, turned into flat-felled. (there are a few ways to do flat-felled, this one is more rugged). I'll try and attach a pic below.

GG as a binding is narrow enough that from a distance imperfections won't be noticeable (especially if you use thread the same color as the binding). Accent colors do look really nice.

Webbing loops - I recommend 3/4". Much narrower than that and the strain is in too localized a spot (my opinion).

[Knotty]

Scott - Good info on attaching webbing loops.

Do you finish the tarp edges with the single layer of fabric and folded over grosgrain technique?

[Schneiderlein]

I recommend an improvised flat-felled seam. It's a french seam, turned into flat-felled. (there are a few ways to do flat-felled, this one is more rugged). I'll try and attach a pic below.

I second that suggestion. With sil, it's a lot easier to do than the classic flat-felled seam. After the first stitch line, spend some time and press the fabric. I usually run my finger along the seam while pulling on the material first to get the stitch line to the edge. Then I press it flat.

[sclittlefield]

Scott - Good info on attaching webbing loops.

Do you finish the tarp edges with the single layer of fabric and folded over grosgrain technique?

Nope. I don't use edging at all. All my tarp edges are roll hemmed - so they're three layers strong. It saves a bit of weight (or, you get more tarp for the same weight). Binding is a great way to go about it and looks fantastic, it's just not necessary.

[Perkolady]

I recommend an improvised flat-felled seam. It's a french seam, turned into flat-felled.

This method is a lot easier for the center ridgeline seam, IMO! It takes me a LOT less time to do too, since I don't have to worry about all the measuring etc. of the overlap part of the first step. Thanks for showing everyone that illustration!

[Meteor]

I would love to make my own cat cut sil tarp with GG edging too, but the thought of sewing in a curve - especially a slow curve - and making the GG curve with the fabric as you go - makes my head hurt. I have a feeling I would be ripping more stitches than sewing.

I mean - how do you know your folded over GG is tight against your cat cut as you go?

[jeffjenn]

I mean - how do you know your folded over GG is tight against your cat cut as you go?

And how do you know its even on both sides?

[sclittlefield]

I mean - how do you know your folded over GG is tight against your cat cut as you go?

A lot of people find pinning to be helpful. (I don't, but I may be in the minority here).

If you do pin, you'll need to use A LOT of pins - the curve will want to pull the fabric up out of your grossgrain foldover. Thankfully, a box of pins doesn't cost much and boy there are a lot in there.

Another method (again, one I do not use) that can really make it easy is to just sew the grossgrain flat along the curve, with 1/4"-1/2" sticking out past the fabric. Then, fold it the unsewn edge over to create the binding and sew again - this is essentially the same as pinning it every 1/16" inch. It won't be able to get away from the tarp edge this way. You end up with an extra line of stitching on the inside edge, but if it's the same color as your edging it won't be much of a sore spot.

[Alter Id]

On my first DIY tarp I used double fold bias tape for the edges. It seems to be strong enough and there isn't the hassle of folding and pressing the GG. Just a thought on another way to finish the edge.