2/2/2009
7:39:27 AM 

Login: kane ( all lower case )
Password: kane4install (all lower case

2/7/2009
12:59:49 PM 

After carefully viewing this video, I thought I would offer my humble opinion of some of the installation methods that were used.

Cutting Seams

I personally prefer a hawkbill knife over a razor knife when cutting woven seams. If any of you have ever worked with woven goods, you should know that they can get really tough to cut through at times. The problem I have working with a razor knife is the blade is too pliable and the slightest movement in your blade can ruin your seam edge. Now a sharp hawkbill knife will not bend so easily and it will cut through the material really well.

In the video, they cut their seam over the field piece. Let's face it, accidents do happen no matter how long you have been doing something and cutting the face pile of the material can lead to many problems and that's a road you don't want to travel on. I prefer to put some scrap pieces of material under the cutting edge. This way you are protected if an accident does happen.

Back to seam cutting. There are times when scissors are needed to cut your seams. It is up to you to know which one to use. The more methods that you know of, the greater the success of your job.

Seam Sealing

In the video, they are using a blue tip nozzle to apply the seam sealer. This nozzle has never worked well for me. I prefer the red nozzle from Roberts. It has a smaller hole than the blue one and it gives me more control when applying the seam sealer.

When you get hold of a really thin piece of material like the one used in the video, it becomes very difficult to regulate the amount of sealer being applied. These are really difficult for me because I have fat round fingers and I do not want to get too much seam sealer into the seam. My personal method is to use a small paint brush on these particular materials. It gives me more control and this technique also works really well on even the most delicate materials. You know, the ones that fall apart if you look at them wrong.

The main thing you need to do when sealing these materials is slow down and don't overdo it. Here's a tip - if you have seam sealer on the hairs of your fingers, you may be overdoing it. Do not get seam sealer on the fibers - and if you do, don't rub it into the fibers. Remember to take your time because in this case, slower is better. With practice, you will get better over time.

Kool Glide

When using the Kool Glide, make sure you have the seam tape aligned and keep a check on the alignment as you go. Always mark where the front arrows are. In the video they used a razor blade to mark the fibers. Never use your razor blade to mark the face fibers. This can cause unsightly marks that will not go away. I prefer to use knitting needles for this.

When you get to the end of the seam, you need the 'T' mode setting for it but don't forget to trim the wall so you are heating the glue at very end of seam.

Also, in the video they trimmed the seam using a razor knife. This is a bad habit because if you nick the fibers in the surrounding area, it will tell on you. Maybe not today, but soon thereafter. I prefer scissors for this part of the job. One snip and your done safely.

As a side note, they used one-inch tackless strip when J pin tri-tackstrip would have been the preferred choice for achieving a proper stretch.

I hope these suggestions prove helpful to anyone working with woven goods.