'Bespoke tailoring' a polytarp

[Poignard]

Polytarps are rectangular but boats are not.

Suppose you wanted to reshape a polytarp to suit the shape of the boat , how could you make hems on the cut edges to prevent them fraying?

Are they welded or sewn or what?

(I'm asking because I don't have one nearby to have a look at)

 

[prv]

I suspect cutting them with a hotknife would do what you want.

Pete

 

[sarabande]

there are two types of polytarp:-

one made from woven polypropylene
one made from sheet PVC with interwoven fibres for strength (e.g. Tarpaflex or Monarflex).

The former can be sewn by machine using a double hem to prevent fraying; the latter needs a single hem but is better with a zig zag and bar tacks.

 

[capetown]

The ones from Bradshaws are welded/heatsealed.

I needed to modify one so bought some tape & plastic grommets from them (already had the punch for the holes)

This tape is like a very heavy duty double sided tape, it reminded me of butyl rubber.

So far it's lasted two winters as a dinghy cover.

Edit. just found this. http://www.tarpaulinsdirect.co.uk/polyfix-custom-kit

 

[Poignard]

Thanks for the very helpful replies.