waterproof bias binding tape

G'day Duh

I wouldn't use cotton bias binding, but instead cut strips from ripstop nylon, this will not only be stronger but won't act as a wick to allow water ingress. Make sure when you finish the tent that you do 'all' needle holes with a wax stick, preferably on a sunny day so it gets right into the needle holes. Rain water will find any holes you miss and the water will wick to the inside, even a stray thread will act as a wick......I've had it happen!!

Have fun.....tent making is great but it's just as much fun going camping.

Br> I've got a pattern for a tent, and it says to sew binding tape to the

Bias tape is stretchy, and not particularly strong. What type of tape does the pattern/instructions ask for? If it says 'seam binding tape' this is NOT bias binding.

No, but you can cut your own from waterproof fabric. The easiest way is with a rotary cutter, a cutting mat, and a quilting ruler, or second easiest is by drawing lines and cutting with scissors.

You can cut straight tapes the same way, but they may have a tendency to fray on uncoated fabrics. I need to re-tape the seams on a tent fly. I may well choose to do this with a heat sealed seam sealing tape like this:

as where the tape is worn, the fly is leaking. You need to use extreme caution doing this as the sealant will withstand much more heat than the rip-stop nylon! Again, this is where the quilter's tools come in handy, as I'll use my Clover mini-iron: are some more tape/seal things that might help you: Just a happy customer)

He didn't even say "bias". I extrapolated that. just said binding tape.

This is why I made the distinction between bias tape (usually cotton or polycotton, though occasionally acetate satin, and stretchy rather than strong) and other seam tapes. Seam binding tape and bias binding are different animals, even though bias binding can be used for binding some seams.

is something like I'm thinking about doing. Figured I might add some vestibules to it.

Looks like you need nylon seam tape: Scroll down...

Thanks Bronwyn. I've been getting all this great waterproof fabric (at least I can't blow through it) in the $1 bin at Walmarts. Lots of ideas, and maybe a few prototypes in the offing.

Dwight

Remember that real tent fabric is fire resistant and the stuff you're buying is not (at least it is extremely unlikely, given the cost difference and relative scarcity of fire resistant nylons and polyesters). There are many reasons to not cook in your tent and this is another one. Don't even pitch near a campfire. Use flashlights and never a candle inside.

Polyester seam binding is your best bet - it is more UV resistant than nylon. However, many simply use a plain hem for this type of tarp - even Integral Designs ($$$). For the ridge seam, use a mock-felled seam. The seam binding sounds like overkill to me. See Penny's web site for info on this:

Look for Silnet from McNett. It is a seam sealant made for silnylon fabrics (assuming you're using the silnylon as per the instructions). You can paint it over all seams and it will waterproof them. With silnylon, nothing else (that I know of) will work as well.

I was tempted to make that same tent some time ago. It looks like a good design.

Mike

chiming in late here.

has a gear maker's board that has many, many experienced tent and tarp makers who are familiar with the designs, materials and issues you are encountering. Much more so that this board where there are very few who have done the kind of projects you are attempting, and have actually used the materials and techniques.

sell both nylon grosgrain, and folded nylon bias binding, which is what is used on tent seams. Grosgrain is rarely used in tents except to cover exposed floor and wall join seams. Seam binding on tapes is never waterproof, it's only put on when seam is not felled, to prevent seams allowances from raveling. Waterproofing your seam would be another process. Most tent seams are not waterproofed unless it is a single wall construction - otherwise you rely on the fly for water protection. Tent manufacturers use the double folded nylon type of bias tape.

For waterproofing tent seams, you must match the fabric and the adhesive. For example, you use silnet with silnylon, seam grip with a urethane/nylon configuration etc.

I don't know what Bronwyn is referring to as a "wax stick" for waterproofing, maybe she can elaborate? Never heard of such a thing, and frankly that sounds stop gap unless your tent is waxed cotton.

ps

Yes, you're right. I started asking about something I thought was a general sewing question and it morphed.

This guy was saying to use it to take the strain off the catenary top seam, which is being stretched a lot.

I was just going to use one of the plastic seam fillers.

Oh, and thanks for the pointers. I already knew about owf, but not the other.

Some tent makers are starting to use grosgrain and twill tape where they used to use webbing. Loops for tying in guy lines, for example, are often grosgrain now and things like fastex buckles are used with twill tape. Lighter and smaller is the driving force.

I can't believe how strong some of these silnylon + grosgrain combinations are in wind. Every time I pull out my tarp, others ask if I'll take it down in heavy wind - I haven't yet and nothing has let go (yet).

Mike

yes, tie downs and such. After I sent that off I realized I left that out. Dang, I can't think of everything! One thing to be aware of is the different weights of nylon grosgrain.

Silnlyon is pretty amazing stuff. I made my son a tarp for scouting and it survived 5+ years of boy scouts unscathed. All the blue plastic tarp people were very jealous.

~P.

Seam grip by McNett is the only one that's worth anything ( seam SEAL brand is water soluable and total crap if you ask me) but if you using silnylon, you must use a product that's formulated specifically for silicon. Silnet by Mcnett is the only commerical one, but some of the gearmakers at backpacking.net do a homemade forumula.

Penny, are you aware that a Google search on "Silnlyon fabric" brings up 13,900 hits, and *yours* are the first two?

Beverly

> Congratulations!

Make that "Silnylon" not Silnlyon... :-(

Hm... I'm wondering here... I'm wondering if this is the way to get James sewing other things as well as quilts! :)

Will do! He's got a kite started...