tent repair - sewing canvas help

April 14, 2009 4:48 AM

Sewing-filter. I need to replace the fly-screens in a canvas tent. Hints/Tips?

The canvas tent on my camper trailer (looks like this except 20 years old) has ripped window screens.
I am a sewing novice, but my wife is a sewing goddess. Will her Janome normal domestic sewing machine handle canvas? I've been quoted about $300 to get a professional to replace the screens in three windows. I reckon it is about $20 in materials, so will be keen to do it myself if it won't kill the sewing machine.
I figure I can get some help from the goddess, maybe even get her to drive, but I live in fear of hurting her machine - mefi hope me?

posted by bystander to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (5 answers total)

Janome is a great brand. It might be able to handle it. Do a test run with pieces of scrap canvas in the thickness you will be sewing through.
posted by Fairchild at 4:56 AM on April 14, 2009

Not really, (but I have a Janome too - an old solid metal one though...?) so here's what you do. Put it on the widest stitch width (4?), new sharp needle, good thread, make sure everything is oiled up nicely. Put your foot on the pedal, 'til you hear the clutch (??) engage, then you start to turn the fly wheel by hand at the same time. Through the motion of the fly wheel you can feel how hard the needle is straining, or not (and that shrill noise the motor makes is also a clear indication). If the machine is having trouble you just ease it through by hand more than machine.

If that made no sense try it from this angle first.
Turn the flywheel by hand = sewing. You could do that all day with anything you can work a needle through and it won't hurt your machine. It will be slow and labourious. Add a mindless motor to drive the needle = sewing. But (domestic machine + canvas) you potentially have a burnt out motor, snapped needles or bending a *thingy*.

So you need to find that middle ground that works for both parties. :)
(Or just get an industrial machine.)
posted by mu~ha~ha~ha~har at 7:55 AM on April 14, 2009

I routinely sew through four to eight layers of twill (I'm a corsetmaker) and that together is a good deal thicker than two of canvas (or one of canvas and one of screen).
However, my machine is a bit more heavy duty than most. (not an industrial, but maybe the last home-model step before them). If she has an entry level model it may not be a good idea. I don't think it would kill the machine, but I think it may put needless strain on the motor that would shorten the machine's lifespan.

I'd say call Janome, or a local Janome dealership. They're renowned for their service and aftercare, I'm sure someone would be able to help you with more specifics knowing the model and details of the machine. It may help if you also have the weight of the fabric for them.

You can also rent an industrial machine for a short time, too. It may still work out better than paying to have the awning fixed. They do sew more than twice the stitches per min than the average home machine, though, so watch out that the fabric doesn't get away from you.
posted by Kellydamnit at 8:19 AM on April 14, 2009

Agree with the testing on the number of thicknesses you are planning to sew through. Failing that, you might take your cut pieces to an upholsterer with an industrial machine and ask if they will stitch up the seam for you.
posted by sarajane at 8:53 AM on April 14, 2009

Here is a tip: Using pins or double sided tape, (the tape works best) position your new screen over the old one. If there is tearing of the old screen, line up the torn edges and tape them together before laying in new screen. This will maintain the shape and size of the original screen. Sew all around the screen border, then cut out the old screen right next to the folded canvas edge. Using this technique, you will not have to rip out original seams that held the old screen; you will just be sewing on top of the old stitch line. Much easier this way!
posted by yankee named dixie at 10:26 AM on April 14, 2009