DIY Flat Tarp questions

[Guinea Pig]

Hey all,
I want to make a flat tarp for ground use (no hammock trips), and had a few questions.

1. My sewing machine can't handle mara 70 thread, and only really works well with universal thread (mara 100). I'm guessing there's a lot of forces being put on the tie-outs, and am wondering if this thread just isn't up to the task, or if it is since the hem itself would be taking the force?

2. I can sew a grosgrain ridgeline on or do a basic flat-felled seam. Is there any reason one might be better if, once again, my thread isn't necessarily heavy duty?

3. If I am using 100 thread, should I be zig-zagging at any point, or would a straight stitch still be best?


Thanks for the help all!
Garret

[geneaut]

I use Guterman Sew-All thread and it works wonders in my machine, and I've never had a durability issue. Straight stitches work fine for me.

Ridgeline is really what ever you prefer.

[XJ35S]

I wouldn't zig zag stitch. Practice on a small piece. I had some trouble sewing through layers of grosgrain. I switched to a different size needle to solve the problem and change it often. I think it's a size 14.

What material are you going to use?

[Scouter_Ken]

It is probably not your thread injector that has the issue with the mara 70 as it is the needle.

check that you have the correct needle for the different types of thread

[scrope]

Also consider using a ball needle. It passes around the threads of the grosgrain instead of piercing them.

[jellyfish]

Universal thread should be okay and I agree that the issue may be your needle.

This is how you tell if your needle is the correct size: https://youtu.be/XwynEzDwDoM

[Guinea Pig]

I appreciate all of the fast feedback everyone!

Just to be clear, I haven't worked with mara 70 in about two years. I remember trying all size needles on 1.6 nylon camp ripstop, and still had the same problem. The problem is something that isn't really talked about online so I'm assuming it's something obvious, though I can't seem to figure it out. What happens is that the thread in the easy thread take-up lever twists, and then goes into the take-up lever again which effectively takes it out of the take-up lever and the result is bird nesting. It's a little tough to describe, and the best way I can is .... it is like when you have a line going inside of a mitten hook or a carabiner. At this point you have two ways to get the line out. 1. You can push in the mechanism and slide the line out, or 2. (And this is the problem) you can take the same line and snap it through the mechanism which pulls it out.

Anyway, I have tried to put a little rubber piece in their to stop anything from going in, but that didn't work.

Also, I haven't exactly given the project much thought since I wasn't even sure if the universal thread would work, but it seems like it just might! I'm probably going to go with a polyester based waterproof fabric, and use grosgrain for the ridgeline. I think it will probably be more of a rectangle, and not a square.

Now, I think all I have to do is research how to add and reinforce tie-outs, and even where they would be best.

Gameplan so far:
1. Cut two rectangles
2. Roll hem all edges ( I might leave the edges that will be sewed with grosgrain non-hemmed)
3. Grosgrain the ridgeline
4. ... still in progress...

[jellyfish]

Maybe the problem is bottom tension.

If you try it again and it happens, come back here and we will troubleshoot with you.

[slugbait]

7 years on my winter tarp sewn with Guterman Sews-All thread and no issues whatsoever.

[ylnfrt]

This may sound silly but try turning your spool over/ around so that the thread is coming off in the opposite direction.