Sewing Cordura - Anyone done it?

[BobbyWombat]

So after searching around, I've decided that the weight pouch and accessory pouch I want just don't exist.

I am tempted to try and make my own out of 500 denier cordura. My wife just got a new sewing machine that has been calling to me at night (go watch sleeping beauty to get a good feeling for what I'm talking about....and change "Auroooora" to "Wommmmbat"). It's a quality Kenmore machine, but not commercial grade.

My primary problem is that if I burn up the motor on her machine she will be more than happy to sew my (insert random body part here) to my (again, use your imagination......the point is, whatever it is, it is bad).

So.....anyone have any experience with sewing cordura stuff? I will take any and all tips and tricks. I'm not talking about A LOT of sewing here. Three accessory pouch size items.

What say you, oh great ScubaToys Forum???

[fisheater]

My best advice is to use pins to hold the fabric in the configuration you want and then take it to a shoe repair shop, where their heavy duty sewing machines can make short work of your project.

Plus, the shoe repair folks are usually low cost.

[Tom A]

if its a a heavy duty one should be no problem my mom's can sew 5 layers of denim

[diverdan_51]

...ditto with fisheater. Go with the shoe repair shop idea or maybe check and see if there is a canvas shop where you live. If they can make custom awnings for a building or a custom car or boat cover, then they should be able to handle your scuba project. Don't risk the fried sewing machine man, it's just not worth it!

[mpd525]

shoe repair shops, or a auto upolstery shop, and alot of times if you tell them what you need, that can even sew hard backs to it. I'm having some trip weight pockets made for my BC. I took him my BC told him what i wanted, and what they are for and he did the rest.

[MSilvia]

Either goes to a shoe repair guy, or get a stitching awl meant for small heavy duty jobs.

[whse56]

Oh, just grow a set and GO FOR IT she can only kill you once.
Obviously you've probably guessed I'm not married.
No really, first thing you have to ask yourself 'can you run faster than your wife if she's really mad and you're really scared'?

[scubatonedog]

As long as its a decent machine 500 Cordura shouldn't be a problem. Make sure you use 100% polyester thread, use the proper sized needle and adjust the foot tensioner down(less pressure on the fabric) so it feeds easier. If you are not that comfortable or familiar running a sewing machine by all means take it to one of the aforementioned places and have someone do it for you.

So do you have any patterns or are you making it up as you go? I am awaiting a shipment of 1200 Cordura myself and planning to make some custom pouches and goodie bags myself. I have some hand sketches but no patterns or prototypes yet. Wanna collaborate?

[BobbyWombat]

Originally Posted by scubatonedog

So do you have any patterns or are you making it up as you go? I am awaiting a shipment of 1200 Cordura myself and planning to make some custom pouches and goodie bags myself. I have some hand sketches but no patterns or prototypes yet. Wanna collaborate?

Nope, no patterns. But I think I've got some good ideas going on a quick release weight pouch and I also wanted to make an accessory pouch for my diving shears.

What supplier do you use for your cordura? I'd be happy to collaborate, since I'm starting from scratch and really don't know what I'm doing.

-BW

[Damselfish]

A good home machine shouldn't have trouble sewing cordura, depending how many layers are involved. It's very important to use the right needle and thread. Start with a bit of the fabric you're going to use and just do a test with however many layers you'll wind up sewing, to see if it's stitching ok and not straining. Rather than diving right into your real project.

Some machines are temperamental about unusual fabrics, even if the weight isn't a problem. Or it may sew well at first and then get weird, which may be the needle getting dulled (cordura will do that relatively quickly) or coating from the fabric gunking up the needle (you probably won't see it doesn't mean it's not there - clean with alcohol.) Being somewhat knowledgeable about sewing can help get around any machine quirks and make things come out better. If your wife is an experienced sewer maybe she could do it.

If it fights back, the shoemaker suggestion could be a good idea!