Joining two pieces of awning material - best method for flat joint

[superheat6k]

I am making a sun awning and need to join two standard width pieces to form a central seam.

Can some one give me a tip on how best to neatly join these.

I was thinking of laying the two pieces together along the joint with the outer surfaces together, and with a stagger ~ 20mm, then run a stitch line ~ 12mm from the overlap edge.. Then I would fold over the protruding edge around the shorter edge, then run a further seam along the edge of the overlap, with the cloth opened flat.

Will this work and provide a neat joint ?

 

[rjandhl]

Try a Google search for
lap felled seam
flat felled seam

 

[James_Calvert]

My wife says you need a double-stitched seam. Hope that helps.

 

[G@zza]

This is a good video which shows 3 options and the pros and cons of each

 

[LadyInBed]

A felled seam is the answer, but I do it slightly different.
I lay the two lengths of cloth edge to edge then pull one edge over the other to give about a half inch overlap.
Pin / tack the two lengths together along the centre of the overlap.
Machine the two lengths together close to the edge of the of the top length of cloth.
Turn the now joined materials over and again
Machine the two lengths together close to the edge of the of the top length of cloth.
Remove the pins / tacking.
Fold over the material along the seams in a Z fashion and press flat.
Machine along the two new folded edges.

 

[superheat6k]

Thanks

Those terms all help me understand what I need to create. All straightforward as long as I keep the stitch run straight.

 

[superheat6k]

OK- so now I am getting cocky !

At the edges of the awning I want to create an arc between the supported corners, as this seems to provide a better tension to the overall awning.

Is there a ratio or calculation for the chord distance from the circumference at the midpoint of the arc, or do I just guesstimate this ?

I'm trying to achieve this effect at the edges ...

 

[Plum]

Thanks

Those terms all help me understand what I need to create. All straightforward as long as I keep the stitch run straight.

Yes, as Ladyinbed says but I always stick the seams together with doublesided adhesive tape before stitching.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

 

[Plum]

OK- so now I am getting cocky !

At the edges of the awning I want to create an arc between the supported corners, as this seems to provide a better tension to the overall awning.

Is there a ratio or calculation for the chord distance from the circumference at the midpoint of the arc, or do I just guesstimate this ?

I'm trying to achieve this effect at the edges ...

View attachment 150610

I use 25mm height of arc for a 1m length.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

 

[superheat6k]

I use 25mm height of arc for a 1m length.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

That's great, thanks. So on my full width of 2.9m I would allow a chord distance of ~ 75mm.

 

[LadyInBed]

I always stick the seams together with doublesided adhesive tape before stitching.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

Or Wonderweb if the material can take heat.

 

[Plum]

That's great, thanks. So on my full width of 2.9m I would allow a chord distance of ~ 75mm.

Yes.
When sewing such large panels together it can be difficult feeding the mass of material under the arm of the sewing machine. I roll the material tight towards the seam and slide it into a 50mm diameter long cardboard tube that has been slit along its length.

www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

 

[superheat6k]

Yes.
When sewing such large panels together it can be difficult feeding the mass of material under the arm of the sewing machine. I roll the material tight towards the seam and slide it into a 50mm diameter long cardboard tube that has been slit along its length.

www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

I was wondering about the spare cloth under the arm of the machine, so thanks for that tip.