PLTQ & Canvas Watch Strap

[JLeephoto]

I've got my mornings off this week so am spending some time with the new Thread Injector learning my chops.
Thought I'd share some lesson's learned from these projects and ask a few questions from you pros.
Poncho Liner Top Quilt:
I cut down (tapered) a Poncho liner I got here, bound the edges with satin ribbon, added plastic buttons 3 feet down the side, and cinched the bottom. Works pretty well but binding the edges was a major PITA with the 1 1/2" satin ribbon, the PL kept trying to pull out as I sewed. Larger ribbon? Different binding material? I made the widths 55" top and 44" at bottom and find that a little large. What sizes to you use for these mods?
Also not sure the advantage of a cinched foot box over just adding buttons around the bottom to close it off?


Canvas Zulu 1pc Watch Strap
Re-purposed some old Carthart Canvas Pants for watch straps. Triple folded and bound the edges with an overstitch. Problem came when I tried to attach hardware as the space was too tight to get the machine's foot into and made for sloppy stitching. Lesson learned. Sometimes hand stitching is the way to go. The other problem will be cut end edge fraying. I don't want to bind the ends but am wondering if waxing the canvas will stabilize? Any advice welcome.

[Scotty Von Porkchop]

Nice work, I especially like the watch-strap.

With the satin binding being hard work;
iron the ribbon in half before you start
use less slippy ribbon; grosgrain or bias binding
Reduce the foot pressure on the sewing machine (if possible)

I don't think cinched foot-box is better for any other reason than it can also used as an underquilt?

[JLeephoto]

Thanks SVPorkchop, I used the Satin because it seemed similar to what was used before and thought it would feel good and be lighter than Grosgrain. But, it looks like the original PL had a full 2" or more binding. I did iron the ribbon in half. What finally worked OK was pinning every 6" or so but that was extremely time consuming. Kept thinking "There's got to be an easier way."
This was a test as I have a thicker Thinsulate filled PL and plan on using that in cooler temps and want to get that one right.

The watch strap has me thinking of other materials and salvage to use for them but I'm having trouble sourcing these 22mm Zulu buckles and rings. Most I find are too large. Looking for good sources. Anyone??

[Scotty Von Porkchop]

I use hair clips on edging as its quicker. You can get hemming fittings for sewing machines but I don't know of any that would fit over a poncho-liner

I use salvaged military parts for my watch straps, WW2 stuff