cutting out sails tips?
 

I am ready to cut the sails from my material and wondered if there were any tips before I start. I have the sail patterns printed out but have not applied them to the material. :teach:

Re: cutting out sails tips?
 

Hello Don,you could try attatching the sail material to some stiff cardboard for stability.And then the patterns to the material maybe using sewing common pins?I would use a new exacto blade or a really good pair of sissors.Walter

Re: cutting out sails tips?
 

Thanks for the tips Walter!

Re: cutting out sails tips?
 

Hi Don,

You got me thinking about the sails on my Privateer Cora model, so I made a trip to the fabric store myself today!

Looking at them afterwards, I realized that while real sails would have been unbleached color, an article on model colors I read makes me feel that bleached, white sails are probably more accurate on a model (unless maybe it's a really large one). It really depends on the effect you want to create, but I'm with you on the sail color.

On sails I've done before, I will treat the sail with a heavily diluted coat of Elmer's white glue applied with a brush, this will keep the edges from fraying when you cut them. Also, it will stiffen the sails, but stays pretty flexible too. You might want to experiment with the mixture first.

The sail material needs to be cut larger than the final sail so you can fold over the edges at the turnbacks. I use diluted Elmer's again to add the cloth reinforcements and reef bands.

Oh, and when cutting the material, you might consider using a rotary fabric cutter. They aren't that expensive and should work very easily, allowing you to cut fabric without pulling it. But, I think you need to use a self-healing cutting mat for it to work well. Don't know if carboard will work with one.

Clare

Re: cutting out sails tips?
 

Wash and dry the material three times before you cut them because the material shrinks a lot.
And while we are talking about sail making, I have not figured out a way to make those little corner strength pieces. They are so small that it is impossible to pin them for sewing.
Any tips on that?

Richard

Re: cutting out sails tips?
 

I wish I had read your thread first Richard I just finished sewing one sail and pressed it with the iron and it did shrink, about 10% maybe a little more. But it was good experience learning how to sew. :banna: