We got our tanbark spritsail kit from Sailrite, rolled out the panels, (Edit: Now is a good time to sew on reef point reinforcement patches, BEFORE panels go together), seamed them with double back tape and sewed the panel seams together on the Sailrite Ultrafeed LSZ-1. Made a few adjustments to the machine first, lots of pressure foot tension is required.
Skipper knocked me over to get to the sail.
Here is everything that came with the kit, plus we ordered #4 and #1 grommet tools.
The vertical panels for the spritsail come on a roll. Save the tube, you might use it later to roll up parts of the sail when sewing.
This is the double sided tape used to baste the panels together. It is awesome. We pressed one side down, then peeled off the white protective layer a little at a time when we basted the panels together.
Here are the panels laid out, ready to baste. STOP. Now is the time to sew on the reef point reinforcement patches, that way you only one panel has to be manipulated through the machine vs the whole sail.
The instructions told us what stitch width and length we needed. The sail can also be sewn with a straight switch machine.
Sewed the first panel with the Sailrite LSZ-1 machine.
Skipper sewed her first sail panel!
Sail panels all sewn.
Skipper has been sewing for many years, and she has a Masters Degree in Costume design. So she knows her way around a sewing machine and it is a treat to watch her manipulate fabric.
Everything came out great, corner and reef point reinforcements next, then grommets.
08 Jun 17:
Sewed on some of the reinforcing patches for the tack, reef tack and peak of the sprit sail. They are 4 layers of different size material, smallest patch goes on first. We taped them all together then taped them on the sail on the marked locations.
The reef point patches are placed differently than the tack and clew patches. They also may need to be trimmed. So take a minute to review the instructions before sewing. We didn't but they still look nice and will work as needed.
Reinforcement patches were 4 layers thick and they are installed with the smallest patch on the bottom of the stack. We used a chalk pencil to mark their location on the top side of the biggest patch so we knew where to sew. On white fabric you may be able to see the layers through the fabric. If not use a pencil to mark where to sew.
More patches. This sail is four sided so there are extra corners and edges.
Reef patches need to be trimmed and placed lower than tack and clew patches.
Sewing a sail takes a lot of presser foot tension.
Here are the settings we used for stitch width and length.
16 Jun 17:
Cut a 3 inch square pattern for the reef point patches.
Cut the 3 inch square reef point patches, 2 per reef point.
Marked location for reef point patches with a chalk pencil.
Wound another bobbin.
Basted the reef point patches with double sided tape.
Sewed on the reef point patches. Would have been easier to do before the panels were sewn together. A LOT easier!
Basted the double hem with double sided tape. First fold is to the hem line, pull the protective cover off of the tape. Press the fabric down. Then baste again and fold over a second time to cover the edges of the reinforcing patches.
Baste, fold, crease, pull and press a second time
Fini!
Sewed the hem about 1/8 inch from the inner edge.
Sewed the prefolded 2 inch luff reinforcing tape.
Creased, basted and sewed the 3 inch luff tape.
Last stitch on the sail.
Time for grommets! Placed the male grommet and marked the inner circle with chalk. These are #4 grommets.
Poked a starter hole with the Skipper's pokey thing.
Cut the hole. Go slow and check the fit frequently. The grommet should fit snug.
Placed the male grommet half in the base.
Placed the female half of the grommet over the material and bottom grommet.
Placed the anvil.
Pounded the grommet until we couldn't see between the grommet and the fabric. Usually 4-5 hits.
Check the inner edge of the grommet to see if the lip of the male grommet rolled over the edge of the female grommet.
Reef point grommets are #1 size.
The final grommet, also know as "The Wine Grommet. Notice I found a bigger maul.
Our first sail!!
Click here for the full build log.
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