For the tarp builders

**opie** · 10-13-2009, 17:48

How do you get the grossgrain ribbon to stay put while sewing?

Pins, glue, tape?

Specifically around the perimeter. Im working on one and its killing me!!

**Rat** · 10-13-2009, 18:10

I use pins, lots of pins.

**sclittlefield** · 10-13-2009, 18:13

If you're using silnylon, it's going to be pins. The stuff is so slippery that tape won't stick (effectively) and it's unlikely you want to be messing with glue (not that many would work with sil anyway). Stick with pins. Lots of pins.

But then, I don't edge bind with gross grain, so hopefully someone with more experience on that part of it will chime in.

**Walking Bear** · 10-13-2009, 18:25

I did not use the grossgrain on the edge of my tarp. I just did a rolled hem. However, when I put some ripstop patches in the corners for the tie out loups, I used some spray adhesive to hold them in place. It probably would be difficult to use the adhesive on the grossgrain, but it might work.

**Ramblinrev** · 10-13-2009, 18:33

I usually use two passes when I do use gros grain, which is rare. One pass when the ribbon is open and a second when it is folded.

**Coffee** · 10-13-2009, 18:33

I started with pins, but after you get it down it's easier and faster to eye ball it and hold it. Yes that does agree with the engineer in me. I would measure how much I wanted on each side, get it started over a couple inches, then eyeball and hold from there. I only do a few inches at a time.

After a little practice its easier than you think. I hate pinning and sew this way whenever I can.

**opie** · 10-13-2009, 18:44

Originally Posted by Hogn8r

I use pins, lots of pins.

Thats what I was afraid of.

Originally Posted by sclittlefield

If you're using silnylon, it's going to be pins. The stuff is so slippery that tape won't stick (effectively) and it's unlikely you want to be messing with glue (not that many would work with sil anyway). Stick with pins. Lots of pins.

But then, I don't edge bind with gross grain, so hopefully someone with more experience on that part of it will chime in.

I thought about maybe using some silicone, as glue. Messy? Probably. Im not using sil either, just coated nylon.

Originally Posted by Walking Bear

I did not use the grossgrain on the edge of my tarp. I just did a rolled hem. However, when I put some ripstop patches in the corners for the tie out loups, I used some spray adhesive to hold them in place. It probably would be difficult to use the adhesive on the grossgrain, but it might work.

What type.

Originally Posted by Ramblinrev

I usually use two passes when I do use gros grain, which is rare. One pass when the ribbon is open and a second when it is folded.

Hadnt thought about that!

That would actually solve the problem. Im finding that the nylon wants to slide around in the pinched grossgrain. So I start with even amounts on either side and end up, if Im not careful, with more on one side than the other.

Originally Posted by Coffee

I started with pins, but after you get it down it's easier and faster to eye ball it and hold it. Yes that does agree with the engineer in me. I would measure how much I wanted on each side, get it started over a couple inches, then eyeball and hold from there. I only do a few inches at a time.

After a little practice its easier than you think. I hate pinning and sew this way whenever I can.

I started pinning and gave that up in short order. Perhaps I was a little hasty.

Thanks for all the answers.

**KerMegan** · 10-13-2009, 19:34

When I have used the ribbon, it was as a reinfocement on the rolled hem (I.e. on the inside) but since I had a stash of .25 inch ribbon, I just used that- never thought about sewing, folding and sewing again with the wide ribbon.Thanks for the idea..
KM

**opie** · 10-13-2009, 20:00

Originally Posted by KerMegan

When I have used the ribbon, it was as a reinfocement on the rolled hem (I.e. on the inside) but since I had a stash of .25 inch ribbon, I just used that- never thought about sewing, folding and sewing again with the wide ribbon.Thanks for the idea..
KM

So you just sewed it flat to one side?

**KerMegan** · 10-13-2009, 20:09

Not just that, I sewed it to the edge of the fabric, then rolled the hem(2x) and zigzagged over the result. You get the strength of the nylon ribbon, keep the ravels inside, better edge handling of the fabric, and you don't get the sudden color change at the edge of the tarp.
(With better preplanning I could probably work in the tarp tieout patches also, but I am still in 'protoyping' mode.)
KM