Does grosgrain tarp edging require a rolled hem?

**Meteor** · 06-14-2011, 11:37

I'm cutting my cat cuts into my sil (man, cutting all that nice fabric makes me nervous!) and I've decided I want to use grosgrain on the edges. I know it isn't required, but I like the look.

My question is, am I required to make a rolled hem and apply the grosgrain over the hem, or can I sew the grosgrain to the raw edge using 2 stitch lines?

Silnylon doesn't seem to fray (due to the silicone?) and I would love to save the time of having to hem as well as apply the grosgrain if the grosgrain is enough to prevent frays or stretching. However, I also don't want a ripped tarp.

Thoughts?

**Ramblinrev** · 06-14-2011, 11:50

Using the grosgrain does not _require_ a hem. The only advantage would be to provide some extra strength against rip out. If you are not worried about that... save the time and effort.

**Meteor** · 06-14-2011, 12:04

Originally Posted by Ramblinrev

If you are not worried about that... save the time and effort.

That's probably what I'm worried about, but I don't know what the odds of that happening are. If they are relatively high, I guess I could hem, but if they are low, I may not. Wondering if anyone else has used grosgrain without a hem and whether they have had issues?

**gargoyle** · 06-14-2011, 13:00

I do a small rolled (single fold) hem, then apply the GG.
I did a small test without the hem and it pulled out rather easily.
ymmv
If you have some spare material test it out and see how it works for you.

**Ramblinrev** · 06-14-2011, 13:15

Originally Posted by gargoyle

I do a small rolled (single fold) hem, then apply the GG.
I did a small test without the hem and it pulled out rather easily.
ymmv
If you have some spare material test it out and see how it works for you.

You would probably want to sear the edges to finish the raw edge. That would help in the tearout. But unless you are hot cutting the tarp you lose any benefit in time and effort by doing that. A small hem would be reasonable.

I don't like grosgrain edging and so I don't use it. But that's my own personal preference and refers to my level of experience with it, not the use of grosgrain in general.

**hippofeet** · 06-14-2011, 22:43

I would hem it. Worth the extra time to do it better than maybe necessary. IMO

WV · 06-14-2011, 23:19

I sew 3/8" grosgrain along the catenary curve, cut off the excess with a soldering iron, then roll the edge once or twice, and sew it again. "Anything worth doing is worth doing to excess." (As long as it doesn't add too much weight.) HYOH

**Knotty** · 06-14-2011, 23:25

I made a cat cut hex tarp last year. Used a rolled hem, rolling the grosgrain into the hem itself. I felt this would produce the strongest edges. Another benefit was that the grosgrain provides structure for the rolled hem, making it easier. Especially since I rolled as I sewed, no pinning.

**WeWalked** · 09-04-2015, 14:01

Bumping this to reduce duplicate threads. If binding with grosgrain does the sil have to be folded? Or is one layer of sil enough? I did some tesy pieces and was literally able to hang from the sil without it ripping out of the grosgrain, but thought id see if anyone has realworld experience with it.

**boulderv7** · 09-06-2015, 13:25

Originally Posted by WeWalked

Bumping this to reduce duplicate threads. If binding with grosgrain does the sil have to be folded? Or is one layer of sil enough? I did some tesy pieces and was literally able to hang from the sil without it ripping out of the grosgrain, but thought id see if anyone has realworld experience with it.

One layer of sil is enough. No need to hem first IMO