Whipping Twine and Cockpit Canopy Repairs?

[CaptainBob]

I could do with some whipping twine, and I need to make a sewing repair to my cockpit canopy. Will 0.5mm whipping twine be suitable for both jobs? Or will I need something (thinner?) for sewing a canvas cockpit canopy?

I'm completely new to this - so any tips or advice welcome. Any advice on needles I should have onboard also? For this repair and other potential running repairs?

Thanks!

 

[damo]

Waxed poly whipping thread is fine for both jobs. Needles need to have a big eye to get the thread through, but you wont need sailmakers needles necessarily, although they are better for big jobs. A palm and a pair of pliers are handy for pushing/pulling the needles.

A couple of tips: keep the needle waxed so it slides through the fabric more easily, and move the thread through the eye regularly so it doesn't chafe through.

 

[doug748]

You might find the waxed thread a bit chunky. If so, the stuff to use is V69 dacron; this is difficult to source however, unless you have a friendly sailmaker or buy a huge spool. Dental floss is said to be a good alternative, tho I have not tried it myself.

 

[PetiteFleur]

You can buy small reels of V69 from Kayospruce or Pointnorth. See:- http://www.profabrics.co.uk/
http://www.sailcloth.co.uk/

 

[William_H]

I use a thread from a haberdashery called upholstery thread. It is a lot thicker stronger than ordinary sewing polyester but a lot thinner than whipping twine. Whipping twine will do the job but is a bit unsightly.
good luck olewill

 

[CaptainBob]

This stuff?

http://www.profabrics.co.uk/shop/show_product_info.php?id=RT69-136

?