difference, but if you check the metal slug you
Use a mild soap solution, rinse thoroughly, and hang the
can see that the roping palm is designed for larger
canvas up to dry.
size needles. This is the palm to use when jobs
All covers, awnings, and paulins should be
require the largest needles-sewing on bolt
inspected frequently and carefully, and all rips and tom
ropes, for example. They are designed to be
or loose seams should be repaired. If a grommet tears
worn in the palm of the hand and are used to aid
out, sew a patch over the spot and put in another
in pushing a sail needle through the material
grommet. A larger size grommet may be substituted for
being sewn.
one that has tom out if it is in a spot where appearance is
unimportant. You can save time and trouble if you file
Sailmaker's hook or bench hook. This hook (fig.
away or enter into a log all information pertaining to
5-11) has a swivel eye. It is used to hold the ends
renewing canvas articles aboard your ship.
of two pieces of canvas being sewn together, as
shown in figure 5-11.
Measuring Canvas
Beeswax. This substance can hardly be called a
Take great care when you measure and cut
tool, but it is a necessary item. It reduces the
canvas--MEASURE TWICE AND CUT ONCE.
wear on the sail twine while sewing is being
When you measure canvas for items that will be
done, and it retards deterioration. To use it, run
stretched taut (awnings, for example), DEDUCT one-
the sail twine through the block surface of the
half inch for each linear foot in both width andlength. If
beeswax. This gives the twine a waxed coat.
the canvas is to be loose (as for hatch hoods and gun
Sail twine. Many different types of twine are
covers), ADD one-half inch for each linear foot in both
used for sewing, but lacing twine (already
width and length. Use the old article for a pattern
waxed) is best for hand-sewing.
whenever possible. When the old article is not
available, make a sketch of the item, showing all the
Stitches and Their Uses
necessary dimensions, and work from that.
The following are some of the common stitches that
SEWING CANVAS BY HAND
you will find useful in your work:
In most instances when you are required to fabricate
Round stitch. The round stitch is the stitch most
articles, you will need the appropriate tools, a few of
commonly used for joining two pieces of canvas.
which are as follows:
Turn back the edges, hold the pieces together,
and send the needle through both pieces at right
Sail needles. Needles are numbered according to
angles to the seam, as shown in figure 5-11.
size; the higher the number, the smaller the
needle. The heavier the canvas, the larger your
needle should be. After being used, needles
should be dried carefully and oiled or stowed in a
container of powdered chalk to prevent them
from rusting.
Palms. Two types of palms are issued in the
Navy; the sailmaker's palm (fig. 5-10) and the
roping palm. At fast glance you probably see no
Figure 5-10.--Sailmaker's palm.
Figure 5-11.--Round-stitching a canvas held by a bench hook.
5-8
