Tag Archives: secret trick

Sailrite

Tools of the Trade or What Every Seamless Sailor Wants for the Holidays

Do you have what you need to get your project started and completed?  Here's a list of the items I use most. (Elves:  does your Seamless Sailor have these tools?!) Tools Hot knife or soldering tool - Essential for finishing the ends of Sunbrella to prohibit raveling.  Don't forget a safe surface to use it on.  See secret trick. Heavy-duty scissors, fabric shears and small thread cutter - Like knives to a chef, scissors are to the Seamless Sailor. Measuring tools, "L" and "T" shaped measuring tools - These measures are great for making patterns.  Also need a short measure for at the sewing machine and metal yard stick. Marking pens - light and dark.  The washable ones work well as do the soapstone.  Get extras. Heavy" T" pins or Read more [...]

Wind Scoop 2.0 – Blowing in the Wind

"The answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind"*...so if we scoop up lots of air we'll have all the answers to life's questions? Or we'll just have happy husbands who like to nap under a big breeze at anchor?  I'll be glad when I have found the perfect wind scoop (WS) design. I've made two wind scoops with different designs.  Sure I could have bought a kit or copied a design from a book.  Or heaven forbid - bought one**.  (There are several styles on the market that you've probably seen deployed, but they can be pricey.)  But noooo I have an engineer for a husband.  He draws plans on napkins at dock bars and says "here make this".  (The more wine, the more complex the design.)  So why have I made two different designs if he Read more [...]

Burgees – Do You Have a House Flag?

Update September 2015:   The original house flag described in this blog post lasted three years.  A bright new one represents Magnolia and its crew now.             Also known as an owners private signal, it's fun to have a burgee to represent you when you are aboard and in command.  The flag goes with you.  It can be representative of your name, your boat, a hobby.  And burgees are fairly easy to make.  You do need the right materials and a design.  What symbol or design would be fun, easy to make and see from atop the flag halyard?  What colors do you want (not too many)?  What size and shape? A pennant or swallowtail or rectangle would be traditional for a house flag and Read more [...]
Double-Sided Line Bag

Double-Sided Line Bag

The Captain requested a new line bag to hang off the boom attachments.  You know for reefing and outhaul lines.  The bag needed to be sturdy and be able to stand up to weather.  He requested a 14” square bag with pockets on both sides.  Here’s what I came up with. Materials: Phifertex Plus Mesh 1” Webbing 1" Binding D Rings or Buckles Tools: Binder clips Seamstick tape Binder attachment (optional) Instructions: - Measure size of backing panel and add an 1” for seams. Cut 2 out of Phifertex Plus.  Measure and cut 2 panels out of the mesh the same size.   Measure and cut sides and bottom out of mesh 3” wide plus an 1” for seams.  Cut enough for both sides of the bag so you have two pockets.   Read more [...]
Sailrite LSZ-1

Sewing Notions List

So, you've got your sewing machine aboard.  Do you have what you need to get your project started and completed?  Wonder what to take on board or if you've forgotten something?  Here's a list of the items I use most. Tools Hot knife or soldering tool - Essential for finishing the ends of Sunbrella to prohibit raveling.  Don't forget a safe surface to use it on.  See secret trick. Heavy-duty scissors, fabric shears and small thread cutter - Like knives to a chef, scissors are to the Seamless Sailor. Measuring tools, "L" and "T" shaped measuring tools - These measures are great for making patterns.  Also need a short measure for at the sewing machine and metal yard stick. Marking pens - light and dark.  The washable ones work well Read more [...]

Winch Covers – Why I Learned Pi

Pi - The number π is a mathematical constant that is the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter, and is approximately equal to 3.14159. Wikipedia In high school I wondered why in the world I would need to understand pi, you know 3.14.  Math and I got along just enough to get through.  Now I know!  I have actually used pi in a practical application.  Very exciting for a non-math type.  I used pi to figure out how to pattern a winch cover.  Winch covers are valuable for protecting those important winches that help give us ability to manage lines under load.  And they have a habit of getting lost or blowing away in a storm.  It's likely you'll need to make extras at some point. Materials you'll need: - Sunbrella - Read more [...]