Sewing canvas?

[nat]

Has anybody sewn their own canvas covers? What's involved? Will a regular sewing machine work or does it have to be an industrial size? How does one waterproof the seams and fabric? What's the best source for bulk canvas?

I know that you need to pre-shrink the canvas before using?

I want to make my own cover for my M101A2, maybe with windows in the sides and a zippered end.

Seems like it would be a great skill to know.

 

[titanpat57]

Buy a cover off Fleabay Homeboy....much easier

but if you insist on making it, I'd buy Sunbrella like material off the Fleabay and pick up a commercial machine off CL. A nice used commercial machine will probably be around 200-300$ and the material will be be about the same.

I don't think I would use canvas with all the other lighter materials available.

 

[igotta40]

My dad has a shop in a marina. I've worked quite a bit with him over the years on boat covers, tops, seats, etc. I can tell you, a decent used Pfaff will set you back more than the cost of the cover and then some.

What I would do is make up a design, some measurements, maybe even some patterns, and find a local upholstery shop and have them make it for you. The benefits: A good selection of materials, hardware, etc, professional work, and time saved.

 

[AJP]

I have a Springbar tent with "sunforger" canvas and it is pretty good material
these guys seem to have it - as well as other material that might appeal to you
Marine Grade Awning and Cover Fabrics : Sunbrella Marine Fabric : Water Resistant : Outerwear Patterns : Seattlefabrics.com


Excellent suggestion from igotta40 ... OTOH if you are truly interested a good used machine will hold its value and some folks (my uncle for example) find sewing like this very interesting and a rewarding hobby - I don't have the patience

 

[rusty_tlc]

Awning shops are another good place to look for.

 

[beaufort-fj60]

nat, track down an old Morse fotomatic IV... it was made by toyota in the late 40' early 1950s

pic of one..
Heavy Duty MORSE FOTOMATIC IV 4400 SEWING MACHINE - eBay (item 180582915956 end time Dec-03-10 15:38:54 PST)



old school canvas...

http://www.ahh.biz/products/cotton_canvas/canvak_treated_canvas.htm

 

[nat]

nat, track down an old Morse fotomatic IV... it was made by toyota in the late 40' early 1950s

pic of one..
Heavy Duty MORSE FOTOMATIC IV 4400 SEWING MACHINE - eBay (item 180582915956 end time Dec-03-10 15:38:54 PST)



old school canvas...

CANVAK Treated #10 Cotton Canvas from www.ahh.biz

I bet that canvas smells like the old tent my folks had when I was a kid

How waterproof is it really? Can you touch the inside and not bleed water through?

 

[beaufort-fj60]

I honestly don't know how waterproof it is.. if you wanted to go for ultrawaterproof with an old look. maybe layer the canvas on the outside and some new waterproof Vinyl Coated Polyester underneath..

 

[nat]

I honestly don't know how waterproof it is.. if you wanted to go for ultrawaterproof with an old look. maybe layer the canvas on the outside and some new waterproof Vinyl Coated Polyester underneath..

I was actually giving some thought to layering it up, provided the layers aren't too thick to sew.

I have this old memory of canvas, that it bleeds water when you touch it. Might have just been the ancient tent we had growing up.

 

[beaufort-fj60]

you could order a yard and leave it outside for a week or two. see what happens

 

[45Kevin]

Look at this thread. Matt decided to do his own upholstery. It worked out well and he probably saved a few $$$.

Here is the thread that he buys the sewing machine and does his own work.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/fj45-owners-club/39575-1965-fj45lv-build-up-resto-thread-53.html

Maybe not an issue for you, but I have seen the newer man-made materials freeze and crack really easy in the cold weather.

 

[Bogo]

I have this old memory of canvas, that it bleeds water when you touch it. Might have just been the ancient tent we had growing up.

Cotton tent canvas will do that. The cotton in the cloth swells wen wet and makes it mostly waterproof. Something in the finger oils or maybe the physical contact will cause water to leak through. BTW, A hard driving rain will get through a cotton tent canvas.

 

[nat]

This site has some good info and descriptions of what the fabrics will endure.

Beacon Fabric & Notions

Scroll down to the "The Ins and Outs of Outdoor Fabrics" link.