Messages

lol!

Im not familiar with tencate, I have found a few stores that have the canvas and the marine canvas for the top of the pull outs. We shall see, still completing other small projects before I take on the screens. I might even do a few panels for the small camper first just to get some sewing time under my belt. The difference is that I am not planing on selling the small camper where the big one with the window problem will be sold in order to help pay for a hybrid unit.

Thanks!

Thanks Mike! suzi, that is a nice looking tent. I have to agree that it does have a better use of space. Thanks for sharing.

The manufacturer of this pop open drop out of making them years ago. I called them in the past and they are no help but one one lady and she's not there anymore.
Thanks!

Im starting with baby steps, I did a few jeans and shirts alterations, pillow cases and will work on making some curtains for both pop up campers before tackling the windows. However since I have not done that before I have a question or two. The way the current screens are build in the canvas the top and side are sewn behind the canvas while the bottom is sewn on top of the canvas. Im sure that bottom is sewn that way to help drain any water trapped in the screen fabric. However, If I follow that pattern the needle holes from the original screen will probably show so I thought maybe it makes no difference if I sew the new screen on top of the canvas. The screen is sewn in by itself so removing the old threads will only have effect on the screen. Here is a few pictures, maybe better than my words!!! lol! PS- Pictures are too small so I attached the links to them.

Window screen shot:

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn215/nandy_temp/20140510_212415.jpg

Lower right close up:

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn215/nandy_temp/20140510_212453.jpg

Upper left close up:

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn215/nandy_temp/20140510_212438.jpg

So what do y'all think?
I assumed they used a double needle set up to get those stitches so beautifully parallel, am I correct?

I was a little surprised by that Riccar. It is all steel but the hook gear and the dial for the stitch type. Previously before I fixed it all I worked on was on my son T-shirts and because of the hook gear crack you could not pull long line of stitches. Add the machine having the wrong bobbin and I can understand why the ex got frustrated with it and boxed it in a corner. Anyway, It handed the canvas great. However, I had to get that tension up for the v69/92 and I noticed that affected the speed a bit. Once I get my other bobbin cases I will adjust the bobbin case for these threads a bit lower, maybe a separate bobbin for each, and that should allow me to relax that upper tension a bit more and maybe gain some power back. Other than that the machine had no noticeable problem handling up to 4 layers on canvas on either thread and it started on its own with no help on the balance wheel. On layer 6 I had to step on the pedal a bit more for it to start on its own and layer 8 would start only once I had the pedal to the metal!!! LOL! However, once the machine started I could slow down and speed up without much problems. I do the first stitches with the balance wheel anyway so keeping my hand there for a push in the unlikely case of 8 layers should not be a problem. All I can wish right now if for a larger stitch and a walking foot.... But no in this machine. Looking at a Janome hd1000. I was interested in the Toyota FG325? but no dealers close by kinda kills the deal. Im not spending $350 and then finding myself with no support. There are a few Janome dealers in the surrounding area.

Anyway, here is the shots of the practice canvas..

6 Layers of canvas with Dababond bonded polyester v69


http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn215/nandy_temp/20140510_210912.jpg

8 Layers of canvas with Dababond bonded polyester v92


http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn215/nandy_temp/20140510_223758.jpg


If I could just find a similar canvas (vinyl infused I believed) to practice I would feel better. Heck, I would like to find the exact same material to fix the section over the water heater where the previous owner made a booboo and had 2 pieces there replaced and the zipper is ruined....

Thanks!

One more time guys, thanks for the information.
Bobbin, neither I wanted or I am trying to offend you so I apologize if I did. Where I saw the parallel was in the perception that I felt he wanted me to go there, buy the machine and leave instead of asking question where you (as I perceived from your post) wanted the DIYers to "Present your required inventory of zippers, keep questions to a minimum, pay your tab, and go home." I really don't see much difference between the two but that is just me.

I got the 555FA working last night. Adjusted the needle bar as it seemed it was a bit too long then set the timing/adjusted the hook gear. Machine is picking up good but seems my ex had the wrong bobbin case and the wrong bobbin in it. However, the bobbin case seems to be a close enough for the machine but the class 15 bobbins and the 66 class bobbins are too wide and the bobbin case never clicks in secure. If I push the empty bobbin case in it clicks secure fine. The vibration of the machine makes the unsecured bobbin case come loose and you get a mess. If I use my stitch ripper plastic end to gently keep the bobbin in place it stitch fine. I went to a different shop to see if they stocked those bobbins and bobbin case but they don't. They got me the correct part numbers and I told them to go ahead and order them even I could have them cheaper online myself but their mark up was not too bad and I see myself doing more business with them in the future.

In the other hand this machine did not feel too strong and It did seem to have a little problem with some of the upholstery thread on 4 layers of cotton so I am not sure it will do the trick of going 2 or 3 pieces of vinyl canvas. Once I have it all stock and properly lubed we shall see. Also, that foot pedal don't seems to be working properly. I will have to check it later with my voltmeter to see if I am having a large loss across it.
I will look into that other forum group.

Thanks y'all.

Thanks for the info guys!

Bobbin, I guess the dealer that I went back to get my old beater from and buy that Pfaff is of your same mind set. Man, he was rude to the point that I left without buying the machine. I figure he is not the only Pfaff dealer in Charlotte. I do understand time is money, I was a small business owner myself and I also understand when someone is not willing to give away trade secrets, reason why I was hesitant to go bother the local owners for parts and scraps and are more inclined to just shop online... but this guy.... He sells/service sewing machines and I was there to pick the machine I left there for service and was looking to buy a Pfaff1142. He made the minimal eye contact possible, walked across the showroom away from me while I was asking him questions about the machine I wanted to buy, he answer a few questions while still looking to the outside of the shop. Pretty much a "hurry up and go or buy the machine" attitude and I am not about to throw $300+ in anything until I feel satisfied. BTW, the shop was empty and he was manning the front when I got there. He has nothing else to do, I know because when I got frustrated I left the store and I was parked right in front of it. I went and try to Google the answers to the questions he did not answer and struggle with the decision of to buy or not to buy the machine from him. He was there in the store front, not doing anything else, BTW, he is the technician and store owner... The lady that help me yesterday was a sweetheart, had she been there I would had walked out with the machine.

BTW, my biggest question was trying to understand how if the machine can handle piercing thru a men leather belt and how, as he said, it had no problems piercing the canvas I wanted, How come the v92/138 poly thread was the problem item? Pretty much what the told me the problem was not the machine handling the canvas but the machine not being able to handle thev92 or v138 poly, as if the machine was not strong enough for that? Anywhere can share? if there is a better forum to ask these questions please let me know.

Thanks!

I do support local business to the extend that my wallet allows me, LOL! I have seen the zippers, threads, bobbins, ect... online, just looking for more options but then I understand about the wholesale issue. I will be stopping at some shops but I am just not sure how they will receive my request and I know at sometime I might need their services so I don't want to burn any bridges.
My motto in life is "i can do whatever another man can do" and it stands true except for when it is something artistic or abstract. Sewing is an art, Im sure my beginners jobs will suck and might get better but never to the level of the advanced or pro's unless I have a hidden talent I am not aware of.

Thanks!

Well, took that Riccar 555 to the shop today to have it look at. The interesting thing is that when i walked in the shop and talk to the lady she pointed out to me that the machine came from that store, it had their label on it... I was like wow....
Anyway, they  will look at it (the technician was not there) and call me back to let me know if this machine is worth paying the $100 for maintenance and if it will do the canvas work I want to do. While I was there I asked her which of their machine could do what I was wanting to do and she pointed out a PFAFF machine, I dont recall the model but it was around $300 so it was not as bad as I thought.
Im looking at getting some polyester v92 or v138, just about 4 or 8 oz which should be plenty for my use. Is there any thread that is more economical that I can use to practice? I will also have to find some vinyl canvas to practice on. I though if I went to a place that do upholstery they might not mind me taking some of their scrap, Do you guys think that is a bad idea?

I need to locate:
Zippers (between 12 ft to 3ft long) for joining the canvas and repair an awning bag and the rubber like material that is used to attach the canvas to the camper box (not sure what the name is). Also if I can find the exact same material that was used for my canvas I could replace a section that the previous owner patched over. Not sure if the picture will be clear enough but right over the hatch you can see where he painted the board white and how the canvas is of different color. The texture is also different, it is more like a seat cover than the canvas. I would like to redo that including the zipper.



Anyone care to share where to get these online?

Thanks!

Canvas is good. The problem was the previous owner folding procedure. He will lower the ceiling after folding the bunk beds and it was pushing here and there, instead of jut pushing where there is just canvas which is how I fold. What do you mean zip out window panels? our zip down but you cant take them off. It is like an inverted U.
This canvas is not hard to take off and if I were to keep it for much longer I would just replace the canvas for a new one.

Thanks for the info...

That is an interesting piece of info... I would have thought canvas was stronger, tell you, Im so green... LOL!
Thanks for that info!

Hello there form Charlotte, NC. I am not a pro or a business owner dedicated to upholstery but I have use a sewing machine (since when I was growing up) to do little projects. The machine I have now belonged to the ex and it is a very simple machine and I dont think it is capable of doing canvas work.
My pup up has 10 windows and all of them need the screen replaced, for some the damage is minimal, but here are about 3 that there are just not usable and coming apart. The prices I have been quoted are quite close to the price of a new canvas so I dont think I will go that route unless I find a shop that for whichever reason price the job withing my possibilities... However.... I have been thinking...
How about if I get a machine capable of working with canvas? Not the top of the line of course but that will not only let me fix my screens but I have new possibilities for other canvas projects....
So, can anyone give me a bit of guidance here, what should I look for a household entry level machine that will do canvas? Is tackling such a job too much for a beginner? Any advise on  how to go around it?

Im not home so I cant tell you what is the sewing machine I have but I had problem with it doing jeans ( I was hemming for my daughter) so I doubt it will handle canvas....

I know the job will not look like it will when you pros do it but it seems I cant afford y'all! lol!

Thanks, please be nice...