1st canvas project

[John Jones]

For quite a while I have been bouncing around the thoughts of trying to do my own canvas work.  The last trip out in the AQ my buddy and I got caught in a rain squall and even with the t-top we were thoroughly soaked and my electronics were getting wet.  I spent the weekend at the sewing machine and ended up with this.  



I still have couple of snaps to install (ran out) and that should take care of the wrinkles.  It would probably look better if I made the side ports the same height as the front but it's done now.  I'm not cutting it out and changing it.  It's only semi-permanent anyway because I plan to re-do the entire t-top/tower this winter.

3 yards of Sunbrella @$15/yd and 1 yard of clear vinyl @ $8/yd was much cheaper than a trip to the canvas shop.

This is the closest thing I can find online to what I want to replace it with.



This picture stolen from http://www.tarponanglersclub.com/

[RickK]

Not too shabby John.  Should lay down a little after being in the elements a while too.

[JimCt]

Four guys to boat that fish for her????  Too many hands are a good way to loose it.

The canvas looks great!  You have a heavy duty sewing machine?  Canvas work is an art and it looks like you've got the touch.

BTW,  my hangar queen will need a navy top next spring and I'll need something in green...  

[John Jones]

Two of the guys are TV cameraman and show host.

I wouldn't even attempt the old heavy cotton canvas.  Sunbrella and the like are not that bad.  A heavy duty home machine with metal gears and tuned properly will handle the Sunbrella and the clear vinyl.  All you need is some #18 needles and some V69 or V92 bonded polyester thread. ;)  We will talk about it in the spring.  

Next project will be to add zippers to the back edges and make a piece to zip on as a full weather cover for the console.  Then I have this Igloo cooler cushion that needs re-covered.

[JimCt]

Definately keep this thread (what pun???   ) going... Canvas-work is uncharted waters for most of us I'd bet.  All of us, mostly, use/need  console covers, at the least, so keep the posts coming...

Rick, you did some canvas work didn't you on that cover that kept chafing on the windscreen?

[RickK]

That pass is a zoo during Tarpon season - you can walk across the pass by stepping on all the boats.

I am the "iron-on patch" wizard although I also hand sewed reinforcement panels on attempts 3-5, that didn't help much either   .  
#6 is still hangin in there beautifully and hopefully will be the final attempt and instead of sewing, I became the "PVC master".

[John Jones]

I would consider making console, motor, or other smaller covers.  A Navy top or a mooring  cover is a major project.  Not that they are complicated or anything (well, a Navy top could be complicated), just a real pain due to the bulk.  I am having a heckuva time sewing in a straight line if the material is bulky.  My project above would be done in 3 pieces with zippers if I were to do it over.  I probably will go back and add a zipper to the front window just for ventilation when running rather than have to take the entire thing off.