How to Sew Nylon Webbing By Hand (Size Needle and Thread)
Just because there are sewing machines, doesn't mean that sewing by hand is obsolete. Sometimes hand sewing is the best way to go as there is nothing to break down and you do not normally lose your thread. Plus, hand sewing is a good back up when the power goes out. You can pretend you are in the pioneer days.
Hand sewing is not for those who do not like technology. It is a great way to handle different sewing projects like nylon webbing. All you need is a size 18 needle, nylon thread pulled halfway through so that it is doubled and you are good to go.
To learn more about hand sewing nylon webbing just continue to read our article. It explores the issue so you do not have to spend a lot of time researching this topic. Your time is valuable and better-spent sewing than researching.
Sewing Nylon 101
Is Nylon Easy To Sew?
This is not a difficult chore to do. Usually, you use your sewing machine to handle nylon web sewing tasks but when you only need to repair little areas, hand sewing is the better option.
Besides the material we already listed above, there are two more things you need to make this job successful. First, the right tools and those make any job easier. Second, you need a little patience. That is a virtue some people seem to fail to develop.
In this hurry-up world, having projects like sewing nylon webbing slow you down is a good thing. It helps you relax, enjoy the day, and take pride in your achievement. Once you get the hang of sewing nylon web, the job should be done in no time and you have spent some quality time with yourself.
Just make sure to put a thimble on your finger as pushing that large needle through the material may get painful after a while. Also, use a pair of pliers to pull the needle through the other end. Needles can be slick and you need a good grip to get the needle to the other side of the fabric.
How To Sew Nylon By Hand
Since we are talking about nylon webbing, we will continue with that subject as our example here. When you get ready to sew the webbing, make sure to use nylon thread. It is tough, strong and it should slide through the fabric easier than other threads.
Pull the thread through about halfway to make sure you have a double thread going through the fabric. The size 18 needle should be big enough to insert itself into the fabric and your thimble should be strong enough to push it almost all the way through.
Using about 2 feet of thread is good. When you have the needle threaded, you can start your stitches near the outside edge of the webbing and continue that way until you are done.
When your repair work is done, tie an overhand knot in the thread to secure it in place. Then continue to repair other problem webbing areas following the same pattern. If there is excess thread, then just cut it off.
Instead of using your fingers to pull the needle through, use a good pair of needle-nose pliers to do that part of the job.
Can You Sew Nylon Strap?
Yes, it is possible to do this but, and it is a big but, you may not have the hand or wrist strength to do this task by hand. You also may not have the right machine in your home either as it takes a heavy-duty sewing machine to handle the webbing and all the layers you need to sew through.
When you need to sew a nylon strap, it is best to try and get an old vintage or antique machine. Those sewing machines were built tough and can handle a lot of difficult materials like nylon.
Or if you cannot find one of those at a reasonable price, you may have to invest in a good industrial machine. These machines have the motor power to make sure the needle and thread do what they are supposed to be doing.
If you own a Kenmore 158 series sewing machine, then you are in luck. This complete series takes on ylon and does a great job sewing the straps or webbing together.
How To Sew Nylon Webbing By Hand
Earlier we mentioned that you should use a thimble and a pair of pliers to help you pull the needle and thread through this fabric. If you are tough enough and have the hand and wrist strength then those two items are not mandatory.
If you are using a sewing machine, upholstery thread is a good option over nylon thread. The latter is good but the former thread provides the strongest hold possible. Also, you should watch the motor to make sure you are not overworking it and burning it out.
You need the right machine to handle nylon webbing. It is not for those cheap economical models that only handle a few stitch patterns. If you are sewing by hand, then you want to start your next stitch spaced about 1/16 of an inch away from your previous stitch.
Plus, you need to make sure that the thread is going all the way through both layers. If not, then you will have some problems. Also, you can make your stitches stronger by sewing an ‘x’ between the stitch lines.
What Thread To Sew Nylon Webbing
There are several threads you can try to use. Vinyl threads do not sew that well no matter which fabric you pair it with. Most people recommend nylon thread and this is a good option to use especially when sewing nylon webbing.
Or you can go with upholstery thread which is made to handle a lot of rough treatment and should hold the webbing together very well. #69 bonded nylon thread is a very good option as well.
Finding these types of threads should be easy. Check with your local fabrics store or go to the big box hobby outlets that are found nationwide. Then you can try other big box stores and Amazon to get the right thread for your project.
Make sure to get enough of the thread as you should be doubling it up and using twice as much as you would normally thread. Plus, you should put at least 2 feet of thread through the eye of the needle to make sure you have enough just to start sewing nylon webbing.
What Size Needle To Sew Nylon
There are a lot of different needles you can use when sewing nylon. The one you would use would depend on the type of nylon you are working with. For example, ripstop nylon needs only a 70/10.
But if you are sewing the thicker and tougher nylon webbing, then you need a size 18 needle and nothing smaller. Whether you do this by hand or by machine, this is the needle size you have to use for this material.
What you have to watch out for is that thicker threads, as the #69. Nylon requires bigger eyes to go through. Smaller needles will strip the thickness of the thread and make it a lot weaker or do some other damage to the thread.
You can’t scrimp when it comes to needles. That means that the size 18 may be the smallest size you should use. You can go to a size 20 a size 22 and still be successful with your sewing project.
Can You Sew Ripstop Nylon?
Yes, this is also a possibility and the best needle size for this project would be the aforementioned 70/10. When it comes to thread, a lightweight nylon thread is okay and probably preferred but you can get away with using polyester or other varieties of nylon thread.
One key to sewing nylon ripstop is that you should not pin the material. Use painter’s tape instead. That way you retain the integrity of the fabric. Then as you sew, keep the stitch lines straight. The grid on nylon would be a good guide and help you maintain that even look.
For the stitch length, you do not want small or short stitches. Medium size may be the best option but do a test first to make sure you have the right length. One way to reinforce your stitches is to use a topstitch when sewing this fabric together.
Finally, when cutting the material use very sharp scissors and that reminds us that you need to make sure your needles are sharp, new, and not bent.
Sewing Machine That Can Sew Nylon Webbing
We talked about this earlier and if you own an antique seeing machine, they may be the best machines to sew nylon webbing. Their parts are made from metal, they were built to handle almost all fabrics and their motors are top-notch and full of power. The Singer 99 is one good example.
Then you can try the entire Kenmore series 158 as those machines are designed to handle thicker and tougher fabrics like nylon. Other brands can handle this tough task.
If your sewing machine says HD on it, then that sewing machine should be able to handle nylon webbing. HD doesn't stand for High-Density TV but heavy duty and that is the type of machine you want working on nylon.
Either that or an industrial machine and those get fairly expensive, even the used models. There are just too many individual sewing machines that will handle nylon webbing. The best thing to do is to go to the dealer of your favorite sewing machine and see what they have available.
How Do You Sew Nylon Mesh Fabric?
First things first. When you are using your sewing machine to sew mesh fabric together, you need to thread it with upholstery thread. This is a strong thread that will keep your mesh together.
Next, you should be using a loop stitch and when you have stitched all the way around, you should use an overhand knot to tie the thread together. The key to working on a mesh is to go slowly, don’t let your machine race or speed up and the reason for this caution is that you probably will burn out the motor if you go too fast.
Also, be prepared to stitch around the mesh several times to make sure the mesh holds together well. Mesh is a delicate fabric so you should have more stitches to keep the stress off the material. Double-check your tensions to make sure they are set properly.
How To Sew a Nylon Bag
To start, go with the right needle. It should be a 70/10 universal and not a ballpoint needle. Then switch to a roller presser foot to avoid having the nylon material getting stuck in your machine.
Next, your stitch length should not be too small. About 11 stitches per inch should handle the seams and you should be using a good, strong nylon thread. You can go with upholstery thread for the extra strength or polyester for softness, but that option is up to you.
When it comes to making the straps, go with nylon webbing that is about 1 inch wide. This width should allow you to hold up to 750 pounds in the bag if the fabric can hold that much.
Make sure you have the right amount of length to those straps and stitch the ends in a continuous loop style. Give your handles enough overlap allowance to make sure the fabric won’t rip when carrying your contents.
How To Sew a Nylon Flag
The first step is the most important. You need to decide what you want on the flag before you get started. You have unlimited options here. Then you will need to make your pattern and you can do this through the computer if you want to use a variety of different programs.
Next, get your materials in the colors you need and cut those materials to size. Now get your sewing machine ready, select the right tensions after threading with a good nylon thread. Of course, depending on the project and type of nylon you can go with different thread types.
Use a 70/10 universal needle or a size 18+ if you are using thicker nylon. Now start sewing the different pieces together using a good stitch length that will be secure enough to handle the wind and other elements if you are hanging your flag outside.
If you put it outside, expect some fading to take place in a few months.
How Do You Cut Nylon Fabric?
The best way to cut nylon is with very sharp scissors. Then you have to make sure your cut is very straight. After you finish cutting the nylon, you need to worry about fraying as nylon does fray very easily.
Another way to cut nylon is with a very sharp rotary cutter. This cutting tool does not eliminate fraying risk. You will have to attend to the fraying issue before moving on to the next step in your sewing project.
If you are trying to cut ripstop nylon, you can use the above two tools or do what is called hot cutting. This method uses a soldering iron and the heat melts the fibers together solving your fraying problem before it gets started. Use this method on a good sheet of glass so you do not burn furniture, your carpet, and other items nearby.
Can You Sew With Nylon Thread?
Yes, you can and this is one of the preferred threads to use when sewing different kinds of nylon. The thicker the nylon thread the larger the eye of the needle you will need. When you use nylon thread, you are adding strength to your sewing project.
Also, the thread you use depends a lot on the thickness of the nylon you are sewing. The thicker the nylon the stronger the thread has to be. When you upgrade to a thicker thread, you need to upgrade your needle to a larger size.
Nylon thread is a good choice when sewing nylon but the thinner nylon can also be held together by a polyester thread.
Some Final Words
Sewing nylon webbing is going to be a difficult chore. Not just because it is a thick material and hard to get the needle through but also because it is a slippery fabric that may be hard to control.
The key is to have a lot of patience, good hand and wrist strength, and the right tools. A thimble and a pair of pliers are part of the right tools ensemble. Once you are done, you should feel good as nylon can be difficult to work with.
