Need advice: working with Silnylon

cheekser

cheekser

Joined
Feb 7, 2006
Messages
107
Hello all,

I picked up some silnylon a while back to make my own lightweight tarp. the bolt is only 36" wide, but I got something like 6 running yards to work with. I'm finally getting ready to tackle the job but have a few questions for anyone that has done something similar.

1) seams: I know I'll want to seal them somehow, but what type of stitch and overlap do I want to use? My initial thought is to do a very tight zig-zag type of stitch with my wife's machine. Or would a straight stitch be better? Sohould I overlap the material enough for 2 rows of stitching?

2) what type of material to reinforce corners and tie-outs? just more of this nylon, or something stiffer?

3) tie-off points: I have some 1" webbing, would this be proper?

Thanks.
 
I think the best thing you can do is go to some of the hiking forums. There is a lot of information about DIY projects. Also Check out thru-hiker dot com He even sells supplies for DIY projects.

I don't think many guys here make their own tarps. You are going to want to do a french seam on the seams to jin the fabric. Seam seal after completion. The suppplies you are looking for are all available at thru-hiker. Extra material for tie out poins as well as the webbing for tie outs.

Hope this helps.
 
Take a look on the MYOG (Make Your Own Gear) forum over at BackpackingLight. Here is a recent thread talking about tips for sewing SilNylon.
 
Go to the hammock forum or a site called tothewoods.net there are instructions there. Ni-sil is some slippery stuff. I do know to use a small needle say 12 with boned poly thread of the size that will fit your size 12 needle.
 
Ben,

I will be watching intently to see how this project turns out and I may need one if it turns out well!

One thing that read recently was that webbing loops are generally preferred over grommets for tie downs. It makes sense to me since I have had several grommets pull out of various items over the years.
 
1) seams: I know I'll want to seal them somehow, but what type of stitch and overlap do I want to use? My initial thought is to do a very tight zig-zag type of stitch with my wife's machine. Or would a straight stitch be better? Sohould I overlap the material enough for 2 rows of stitching?
Click to expand...

There are a few of us here that have sewn up silnylon tarps, tents, quilts, bags, etc. Silnylon is always challenging to work with because it is SO SLIPPERY. Having a finely tuned sewing machine will help save your sanity when working with this material. Work with some practice pieces first before sewing on your good material to adjust your machine, and getting well acquainted with the seam you will be using.

I (we) use a "flat-felled" seam when making tarps, ultra-light backpacking quilts, tent pieces, etc. There are many tutorial type websites complete with photos for making the flat-felled seam.

Nylon webbing is my material of choice for making reinforcement patches and corner or ridge pulls.

I learned how to work with silnylon building a couple of the Ray-Way kits. Some sewing tips here http://www.rayjardine.com/papers/sewing-tips/index.htm. You will need a generous amount of patience and few distractions when working with silnylon...apart from kids, TV, and cellphone. :)

My two piece (zips in the middle) silnylon backpackers quilt.
raywaydoublequiltcd6.jpg
 
Great thread....Im gonna make me a quilt like the one above at some point. Also thinkin of making a Hammock/fly
 
When you get to doing your seam sealing, in my experience you should buy the smallest tube of silnylon sealant that will accomplish the job. I got a larger tube thinking that I would want to re-seal some seams or do another garment. Even though I handled the tube properly and it was not open for long, a couple weeks later it was hard as a rock. So in my experience, buying more silnylon sealant than you need is a false economy even though the price per gram might be less.

DancesWithKnives
 
Thanks for all the info guys. I guess I'll have to grow some patience before I start this project....or just have my wife do the sewing work.

The flat-felled seam mentioned seems like it ought to do the trick on the seams.
 
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