How to Sew Marine Canvas

how to sew marine canvas

TuffSew here, your heavy duty sewing machine supplier. Here at TuffSew we get many questions about “How do I sew Marine Canvas?” First of all, what is marine canvas?

It’s really a phrase that encompasses dozens of materials such as acrylics, polyesters, and many coated meshes used in the outdoors. 

These materials are usually resistant to water and also resistant to harmful UV rays. You’ll see marine canvas applications used in awnings, tarps, boating materials, tenting materials and many more. Now let’s go over some tips and important things to remember when sewing marine canvas.

The Tools You’ll Need to Have

A Walking Foot Sewing Machine

First off is a heavy duty walking foot sewing machine. We recommend our Tuffsew Straight Stitch or TuffSew ZigZag sewing machine.

One of the sticking points to sewing marine canvas materials is your stitch length. 

Make sure you use a long stitch length, somewhere in the neighborhood of 5-6mm. We’ve redesigned our walking foot sewing machines to have a longer stitch length than any other walking foot sewing machine in the market today. This helps our customers sew through the heaviest fabrics.

The Right Thread and Needles

For needles, you are going to need size 18, 20, and 22 needle, type 135×17.

You’ll also need polyester thread sizes ranging from #69, #92, or #138.

Thread color? Well that depends on your level of sewing ability. If you choose a thread color that highly contrasts your material, and you are a sewing beginner, then expect to see your errors. We’ve seen some beautiful projects with highly contrasted thread/material, but make sure you can handle the added pressure of nailing those seams.

The Right Foot Pedal

Make sure you are using a foot-pedal that has speeds that are slow. You want to make sure you are in control of your project at all times. You also want to check your tension. If your material is puckering, than you have set the tension dial too high. 

If you are seeing loops in the seam, then you aren’t using enough tension. Make sure and use a test piece of material before you sew your actual project.

As long as you are using the correct type of sewing machine, needle, and thread to handle your thick marine canvas materials you can sew like you would on a normal household sewing machine. The key is, use a walking foot sewing machine….and with our longer stitch length we feel like the TuffSew Straight Stitch or ZigZag sewing machines are your best choices.

How to Sew Leather with a Heavy Duty Industrial Sewing Machine

how to sew leather

TuffSew here, your heavy duty sewing machine supplier. So, you have decided to start sewing leather. Here at TuffSew, we get one or two questions a day regarding sewing leather. 

The most important question to ask yourself is “what sewing machine am I going to use?” Let’s say you have a regular household sewing machine that you plan on using for this leather project. Will it sew your new leather project? The answer is maybe. There are many variables you need to be aware of.

First, your household sewing machine takes a maximum needle size of 19. Will this handle some leather? Yes, it will. But that size needle is pretty thin….and will only work on SOFT leather products with thicknesses from 1/16″ to 1/8″.

One of the biggest problems people have when using a household sewing machine for leather is they think they can sew 1/4″ thick or greater. If you do this, chances are you will break needles, skip stitches, and stall out. If you truly want to learn how to sew thick leather up to 1/4″ thick, make sure to research machines such as our Straight Stitch Industrial Portable Sewing Machine for leather.
 
TuffSew Straight Stitch Walking Foot Sewing Machine
 
The Straight Stitch can take up a size 23 needle! This size needle looks and feels like a nail…and will penetrate your leather projects very efficiently. This machine is manufactured with a built in walking foot. 

This walking foot will grab your leather material from the top and the bottom…evenly feeding your thick material through the sewing process. Here is an image of the walking foot:
Built In Walking Foot
 

And here are the 7 additional tips when sewing leather:

1) Don’t buy the most expensive leather the first or second time you sew leather. 

A lot of times you can find scrap leather from a local dealer at very high discounts. Remember, practice makes perfect. Learn how different thicknesses of leather need different needle types, sewing speeds, and varied lengths of stitches.

 

2) Find a knowledgable leather supplier, someone you can trust. 

Give them detailed instructions on what your application or project is, and ask them what they recommend you use.

3) Use a rotary cutter to cut your leather skins. 

You should also be using some weights to keep your material in place while you cut.

 

4) Sewing Leather takes time, slow down. 

If you don’t have enough time for your project, then don’t start it. Manage your time and start back up when you can give 100% of your attention and effort to your leather sewing project.

5) You can press leather with an iron (other side of hide).

6) Don’t use pins on leather as they leave holes. 

Ask your leather provider about clips.

7) If you are sewing 1/8″ thick or greater, make sure and use a presser foot that is grooved. 

The TuffSew Straight Stitch Machine has this grooved presser foot. The feed dogs are also grooved. This will give you the benefit of true grip when you are sewing. You want to be in complete control when sewing thick leather- so make sure and get the right machine for the job. For more information regarding this machine, please visit: Walking Foot Sewing Machine for Leather.


Lastly, here is a YouTube video on some advantages of using a walking foot machine for sewing leather or other thick materials:
 


Click for more information about our: TuffSew Portable Walking Foot Sewing Machine.
 
The TuffSew Team