mireland
Well-Known Member
Windows started to split, stitching needs re-doing canvas fine. Have it renovated or bite bullet for new one?
Sprayhood repair
- Thread starter mireland
- Start date
smeaks
Well-Known Member
bite the bullet... take it home ... get a couple of morse dvd's a pair of pliers and stitch away! Using the old holes you will be surprised how quick you can over stitch by hand!
Stemar
Well-Known Member
Apparantly the trick is to stitch in the new windows before removing the old ones - it keeps the holes from distorting. Someone who was going to do ours wanted to make the windows a size larger so he could do that and cut out the old stiching at the same time as the old windows.
eastcoastbernie
Well-Known Member
If the acrylic material is in reasonable nick it can be successfully renovated. As previously stated, you have to put the new window material in before you take the old windows out. But remember to make a cut in the old window so it is easier to cut away once you have sewn in the new window.
I would recommend using a sewing machine, rather than attempting to hand sew. Ideally, use bonded polyester thread as it is UV resistant. You will need a large needle - one that's recommended for denim, or a little larger.
Most sewing machines have a relatively narrow 'throat' which makes it difficult to sew large items. The way to tackle this problem is to put the narrowest section through the throat leaving the bulk outside. Roll up the narrow section to get it through the machine.
I would recommend using a sewing machine, rather than attempting to hand sew. Ideally, use bonded polyester thread as it is UV resistant. You will need a large needle - one that's recommended for denim, or a little larger.
Most sewing machines have a relatively narrow 'throat' which makes it difficult to sew large items. The way to tackle this problem is to put the narrowest section through the throat leaving the bulk outside. Roll up the narrow section to get it through the machine.
asj1
Well-Known Member
Bite the bullet and get a new one, but keep the old one to put on during the winter, that way your new one will last much longer!
bobm
Well-Known Member
We have just re-stitched ours using a 1961 Singer machine, hand stitched the bits that were too thick, easy if there are two of you to handle the material. Take care not to crease the plastic, do the job when it is warm not cold.
mireland
Well-Known Member
Thanks for all your thoughts. I will give it a go I think with our old sailmakers sewing machine. My skills are zero but my wife says she will help!
gcostell
Active Member
PBO ran some articles on this in the last few months. April and May editions I think.
