Sewing Seam Construction - The Three Popular Seams for Canvas 

I wish everyone else on youtube could be as professional as you have been here. Thank you

I keep coming back here, at least 5 yrs now, for a refresh before beginning the next project. I've been able to sew a canvas tent, canopy, sunwall(s) with vinyl window(s) and smaller projects like beach bags. Thank you so much for taking the time to teach these seams along with the tips & tricks provided.

Well done! Your tutorial was easy to follow, along with an excellent rational of fabrics. I found you explained thoroughly different options of seam types and allowances for the particular project at hand. I also found you spoke clearly throughout your tutorial and it was easy to see what you were doing. Thank you for your video on how to construct seams.

I am glad I purchased a LS-1 ultrafeed. I feel like the support and documentation and videos and expertise are very helpful to DIYers.

Thank you ever so much. Every video I've seen on flat felled seams involves trimming one seam allowance and folding the other over it. I knew that just didn't seem right. I appreciate all of the info and the instructions for a proper flat felled seam.

you nailed it! no more doubts I have about seams again!! Thank you for well refined video!!

Wow a true professional. explained perfectly and confidently. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with me. I am making my own spray skirt for my canoe and will try the semi flat felled seam.

The double sided tape or seamstick can sometime get glue on the needle, but since the fabric is rather tick the needle is cleaned farily well everytime the needle enters and exits the fabric, so build up of glue is usually not an issue. The glue will not effect the bobbin or the hook of your sewing machine.

This is a great demo with very understandable instructions. I felt a bit intimidated by this task before viewing your video. Thank you so much for keeping it simple!!

Great demo! I'm a professional seamstress and I was looking for a video that geared to industrial sewing. Love that basting tape! sold!

This has absolutely everything I needed to know! Seam types, pros and cons, every step of how to... Thank you!

Brilliantly demo'd & explained. Neatly sewn; love the stated cons and pros for each.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS VERY COMPREHENSIVE VIDEO!!! I am going to make covers for my patio sofas, and this information will help immensensly.

Thank you for this, exactly what I needed, looks easy when someone who knows what they're talking about demonstrates the technique. Thank you again, much appreciated.

I refer to this video often before starting any new project. This and the how to make a cushion video have helped me enormously!

As usual, the expertise is impressive. But, the ability to say "initial stitch width" makes this video even more impressive than most! Well done!

Ahhh... that explains a lot to this beginner. Nailed the semi and full on the first try. I cheated and used tape on all folds because I'm still a newbie and need to concentrate on the stitching more than the holding. Oh, thanks for holding my hand and helping me re-time the LSZ1 last week. Thing runs like a watch.

Perfect video. You answered every question and presented the instructions perfectly. Great camera work as well. Thank you!

the sewer is very good it's nice to get a clear explanation and reason of what's being done

A great help in demonstrating seams - I suggest using two colors of fabric and then show a close-up of the end. Great video.

Thank you!!! You saved me a lot of time and research and I will be buying your acrylic basting tape and soapstone pencil!!! 🙏😊

Thank you so much. I "upgraded" my hobby from hand sewing to machine seeing and Im eager to make me a camping tent. Among the dozens of tutorials on YT, this is the most, to the point, clear and best explained one I saw. (No rambling,etc) SPECIALLY!, for the clarification of the characteristics and results of the diferent types of stitching (water resistance, etc.etc.)

Seamstick may build up on the needle, but usually the fabric cleans the needle as it enters and exits the fabric so it is not usually a problem with medium to heavy fabrics. If your using the seamstick or basting tape on lighter fabrics it may not clean the needle well and if the glue builds up on those lighter fabrics you can use a cotton ball with alcohol to clean the needle (usually needed only once per bobbin fill).

Great video. To the point, and detailed enough for a complete noob to follow. Thank You!

Thank you!!! Your videos are so helpful and so clear to understand and see what’s going on step by step. I have learned a lot in your videos thanks again!

Excellenté! I'm " attempting " custom canvas cabana drapes for my patio. I'm using natural heavy canvas.

What we show on the website is a very close up picture, so we can show you the weave of the fabric (kind of like the picture on a cereal box which has been enlarged to show texture). The Sunbrella fabric is rather smooth. You can order a fabric sample if you like at Sailrite.com.

Excellent guide. Just finished my first flat felled seams in heavy canvas with basting tape thanks to this.

Great video! That's sewing in a nutshell and probably 90% of what we need to know about sewing.

I'm getting ready to make my truck cover with sunbrella and your video help me alot. Thank you for share your knowledge!

This is probably the best video out there explaining these seams. I'm making a plain canvas sun shade for my sail boat to be used when pier side. It's 16 ft by 9 ft with a seam at the 8 ft center. I was at wit's end trying to figure out the best, strongest way to join the two canvas sheets, and the "flat felled seam" is the way to go. *This is how a "how to" video should be made.*

Thank you!...great video! I learned more in 11 minutes than I could've imagined!

Great video. Just the right mix of content, well presented and factual. Thanks.

I ordered some waterproof canvas to line 2 chrome baskets that will go on top of my fridge. I don’t know how to sew, don’t have a sewing machine, and certainly not one capable of handling the fabric. As I never even earned my sewing badge as a cassette scout trying to make my girl scout shorts over 30 years ago, I’m not surprised.😂 Because this needs to be a quick project, will only be used to store and camouflage items stored in the baskets, I might simply duck tape the corners together. So, I hope you’ve had a good chuckle.😜

Very clear, helpful presentation of these three seam types.

I just watched a bunch of other videos that were almost an hour long. Mostly a wast of my time, people unprepared, "Oh wait I forgot something in the other room". What? MATT has great production values, consistency clear and gets the job done. Not hard to rewind to review, not a lot of filler chat. Great video!!!! You ought to do a how to on making the videos!!

We are using the Sailrite Ultrafeed LSZ-1 sewing machine sold from sailrite.com it is part number 102600.

I get more and more confident with every video!

Wonderful. Thanks for posting this video

Wonderful tutorial!!! Clean, clear and concise demo with narration. Oh, and the 80’s techno music is rad😉

I almost always use the semi flat felled seam. I like having one unexposed stitch and I recommend #138 Polyester and Not #92 or if you don't mind spending more you could use Teflon thread which will never rot or damage due to UV rays. The full flat fell seam is stronger initially until the UVs get to it which could be 6-8 yrs with #138 polyester in California sunshine as an example. I find myself restitching #138 at approx the 8 yr mark enabling another 4-5 yrs before needing replacement.

@Morganmoonshine Since we are sewing Sunbrella Marine / Awning Grade fabric we are using a #20 needle (135 x 17 style for Ultrafeed #7010) with V-92 Polyester thread (#20204). However, if you do not have a heavy duty sewing machine you may want to use a #18 needle with V-69 Polyester thread (#20203).

Great demo! Thank you!

Thank you so much. Great information and instructions

Well done! Other instructionals should learn from the clarity and simplicity of this style.

Thank you for this video. I was going to make canvas covers for our patio chairs. Had no idea how to make the seams. I chose # 3 and it is working. I could not find the binding tape. JoAnne, I would have had to order it and it would take a week to get it. Wanted to make them now. Soooo, I use Gorilla mounting tape. It is an inch in width, but that was okay as I drew the 1/2 in line an just put the tape to the edge of piece one and piece 2 went along the 1/2 inch mark. Then folded the edge over it. My Viking 980q with a denim needle went through all of the layers. I had a little issue with the bobbin tension, but it had to do with how I was pushing the fabrinc through Thanks again for your video.

Excellent videos - clear and concise. Thanks very much!

Excellent presentation and superb content. Carry on!!

Great informative tutorial, many thanks.....!

Excellent demonstration...Thank you,

great explanation -- thank you!

Very professionally presented & narrated, excellent...

A timeless video.

Thank you, very informative.

Great vid. Can you please do a vid demonstrating full flat felled zipper seams? Thank you

Good advise and information. Thank you.

Great video with lots of good information. Like your Rolex man!

Great, informative video. Thanks

Thanks great clear and helpful lessons

Thank you! Greta clip.

Fascinating!

Your videos have saved people thousand of dollars

Awesome video - thanks for posting!

perfect intructions

Sincere thanks, on your series of instructional videos. Working with cordura 1000 bag/pouch project (newbie here), and several of these videos has helped me procure the right materials and tools. Thanks again.

I think something that would be really helpful for illustrating the construction of these seams would be an actual illustration showing an "end view" of all three seams side by side. I get it now that I've done a few flat felled ("double overlapped" in my mind) seams, but I had to watch a few times for it to sink in.

Nice explanations with regard to seam strength in relation to material!

My patio chairs seat webbing was polyester canvas, grade I have no idea. I need to replace the webbing that ripped through in the center after exposure to sun and weather. It goes around and between the chairs two dowels, which is nothing like sling chairs as far as I can determine. I have bought Ottertex waterproof canvas to do the work and size 18 needles and upholstery thread that is supposed to be for "outdoors" use, for my Singer heavy duty 4452 machine. I have more than enough fabric and so believe that I should use the full flat felled stitch to do the job, as well as double up on the material to insure it's sturdy enough. My questions are; What size stitch would you recommend (using the S2 setting for doubling the stitch one time through seems ideal), Do you have any experience with the Singer heavy duty machines? Thanks so much, in advance , for your time and efforts to answer as well as for the informational video.

thank you i shall de watching more of your vids

We like to train our customers to use basting tape, endlessly consumable, highly profitable, quickly used basting tape.... lol. cant say they arent upfront about it

Rad video!! Thank you:)

Just viewed your video, excellent refresher for me. I do have a question for you though, was wondering why you don't use a double needle for last two seams rather than flipping and trying to have it come out straight in appearance. Is your machine unable to take a double needle?

great vid, thanks

Lol @ 4:57 This is the absolute truth. Sailright gives the hard sell on that basting tape no matter what kind of seam they're doing.

Vary vary helpful thanks

That is correct, we do not sell double needle sewing machines and most of our customers do not own one. But, if they do, yes it should be used.

Great video. Are the procedures any different for very large panels? I'm making a cover for my canoe and the first step is sewing together two 4'+ by 15' panels and it would be great to have a seam where all the material stays to the left side of the needle rather then trying to bunch it up on the right side of the needle.

Out of curiousity, what kind of thread do you use and has it been UV treated. This would make a big difference to UV exposure and would be less of a concern. I’ve used the spray on UV treatment on canvas that repeals water. Very cheap and easy to do but make sure you do it away from the boat/etc that you are working on as it dries out on any surface and leaves a mark (which is waterproof!!!).

Thank you! Very kind! 🙂

Very educational for me. Please link your product recommendations, like the 3/8 seam sealer and such. I'll go to your website and see if I can find them. Have a blessed day

how can you do that last seem on a large project? it looks like there has to be enough room from the needle to the back of the sewing machine for your fabric

great explanation

Good info.

Thanks!

Great video thanks!

Ok.. subscribed and noitfied, i have a 10x12 canvass and need a tent for this coming winter. Living in Northern Canada.. great and informative video by the way.👍

thank u im still learning you made that so simple please stay in touch I need your help

Thanks alot

Thanks

Sorry what about the tape does it clog up the needle, also will a flatf felled seam cancel out the need for hemming.

Hi what sort of needle are you using as I keep having problems with glue pulling thread after sewing through the tape

Could you tell us the needle size and the thread size and type and part numbers used in the videos

Cómo hago para que el plástico munero 40 no se rallen cuando se está cosiendo

Great vid and whats your machine?

How does a French seam compare to these? I like to add one on top of exposed seams as reinforcement and wear protection.

good concise video, do you have any on sewing thermal bubble type insulation?

The flat seam is much easier to do on compound curves. Do you have any tricks to make such curves easier with the semi flat felled seam and the full flat felled seam?

Thanks for the great video. Do you think this basting tape would work on a micro-fleece backed fabric? I'm specifically interested in its properties in helping to waterproof seams, but I don't have canvas fabric, I have a 3 ply waterproof fabric that has micro-fleece backing.

Great video, thanks! Is there a quick trick way to peel back the seamstick paper?

Does that tape gum up the needle?