How to sew outdoor fabrics with a rolled hem foot, including lightweight and waterproof fabrics
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- Опубліковано 1 січ 2017
- The double-rolled hem is the preferred method for finishing single-layer fabric edges on outdoor fabrics. I have heard some complaints on Hammock Forums that the rolled hem foot is problematic for these applications, leading to inconsistent results and big headaches. Instead, DIYers are resorting to using hundreds of pins to secure the edges of hand-rolled hems.
In this video I troubleshoot the problems and show you how to sew outdoor fabrics using a rolled hem foot, including challenging fabrics, such as very lightweight (1 oz Hyper D ripstop nylon, 0.66 membrane taffeta) and waterproof (1.1 oz silpoly), using a rolled hem foot.
You can put a rolled hem on your single-layer hammocks, tarps, underquilt protectors, and other outdoor fabric projects without needing a thousand pins.
You can roll a hem on fabric cut with a catenary curve, or on the bias of the fabric.
The trick is to use a strip of tissue paper beneath the fabric to provide traction between the feed dogs and the fabric, and to pre-fold and guide the fabric into the foot while sewing. If sewing a straight seam (not a zig-zag), the tissue paper will easily tear away when you are done sewing, and your seam will be straight and true.
If you are new to the rolled hem foot, I suggest you practice your skills on scrap fabric first.
Good luck!
Music: I dunno by Grapes (Creative Commons License).
i have no interest in this subject, and no reason to be learning any of this information, yet I'm 45 minutes into this video and I am fascinated. Excellent video, great explanations, easy to follow. it's so generous of you to spent so much time teaching everyone how to do these techniques successfully.
Then sow a tent, go on an epic hike, cycletrip whatever, and have yet another, greater, revelation.
@@Husholdninger What is a revelation is that one can sow a tent! Where do you get tent seeds?
@@davejentsch824 farmer's market
@@Husholdninger Actually I'm planning a Dyneema [Cuben Fibre] tent and this was part of my R&D!
Yes, this is an absolutely brilliant tutorial. (I used to be a teacher, it's incredibly difficult to actually put all the necessary steps into a lesson. Usually you'll teach and reteach a lesson many times before you really know how to get it across.) And the camera work is as good as I've ever seen it. (When I was learning to sew a couple years ago I watched a lot of Jellyfish's videos. That it's 3 years later and she only has 5k subscribers tells a lot about our world. )
I've done these hems and not very well. But I did make a rain fly that I camped all over the UK and Ireland under. It's incredibly satisfying to set-up in 3-4 minutes in blowing wind and rain a fly you've made and then spend a very comfortable night under its shelter in blowing rain and 25 mph gusts. (The trick to a rain fly is it's all triangles, so not a lot of room inside - but those triangles are stable. Good tents are more like bubbles, lots of room and head space inside. That bubble gets moved around a lot in high winds. So flys are more quiet.) I think if I get off my butt I'll pull out my silnylon stash and sewing machine and spend a couple of hours just making these double rolled hems. I've got the foot I just never figured out how to actually use it correctly.
I've used the tissue paper trick with very fine mosquito netting - works great. Probably learned it from this video four years ago.
If I have anything to offer it's that you can sew ugly and still sew something very useful. Another tip is I don't use D-rings, I only use grosgrain loops- super light weight, super strong, far more versatile than any hardware. Just sew another loop along the edge that flaps up, then when you set up stick a stake into the loop, turn it around to wrap the stake then push the stake into the ground - done in 10 seconds.
I wish I had learned skills like this in high school instead of all the algebra, advanced algebra, and calculus I never have had a need for. It is obvious to me now at 52 years old that most of what I learned in school only benefited the people who taught it to me. It gave the teachers a job.
I do gear repair for outdoor products as a side business. It's called Gear Guru. I cannot tell you how EXTREMELY useful this information and demonstration is. I have always just held everything in position by hand. I NEED to get a rolled hem foot for my machine. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. The tissue as a backer is GENIUS. This has been my biggest problem. Keeping the fabric from slipping through the feed dogs and foot. I always held it in place with my hands so spread out. Fingers spread out everywhere. trying to hold it in place. Feed. Reposition. Fold. Hold. Feed. Reposition. Fold. Hold. (ARGH!!!). You have helped maintain my sanity. I am giving you a great big Internet HUG! Keep doing videos like this. I love it!
Hey, like four + years ago, I watched this video with the idea of making an ultralight camper-trailer with this kind of fabric as it's shell. I imagined myself going with bonded seams at that point, because laziness. But inspired, I bought my own machine - went out and bought a double rolled hem foot right away. I have a serger too now and after three winters' work, my glorified tent-on-wheels is actually habitable. I got 3M Thinsulate liners I'm working on that velcro in place on the walls, its tight.
This video showed back up while I was doomin' at 1am just now and I was like, "This is it! This is the origin of Toby Wheeler!!!". This video is WHY my rig looks as sweet as it does, my panels look perfect, and it opened the door to better colors on better fabrics that I wasn't thinking about and it matches my Subaru like wha-BAM! For real, EVERYBODY at the KOA asks "wHaT'd Ya pAy FoR tHaT?"
Good to see this again!
Recognition of sparks of creativity like this are why I bother to check out comment sections. You rock my dude
I NEED a video on this!!!! Please! That sounds so cool!
This is a great piece of teaching. Demonstrate fundamental concepts and skills, then higher level concepts but repeating and highlighting the fundamentals at the same time.
Wow! This is one of the best instructional sewing videos I've ever seen! #1 - you practice the art of the "close up". Well done! Enough of the videos with the camera stuck in concrete about 3' from the sewing machine. #2 - take nothing for granted about the knowledge level of your viewers. I'm a beginner so I'm a blank slate when it comes to sewing. Thanks for realizing this! #3 - you're explicit. You move the camera angle and edit to befit the subject under discussion so there's little doubt about what you're explaining. Doing all this takes a lot of time and patience but shows you're truly interested in your audience's ability to grasp what you are teaching. VERY WELL DONE!!
Thank you for taking the time to help an old man figure this out. I appreciate all of your tutorials.
I'm glad you find it useful!
I'm sewing kites ie .75 spinnaker ripstop nylon. Super slippery. Tails need hemming and you are a great teacher! Thanks indeed.
Awesome video for someone new to sewing with ripstop! Going from standard weight to light weight and back I thought my machine was possessed. This explains the do's and don'ts and proper techniques. Thanks again.
Thank you! I've learned so much from your video. I never knew there was such a thing as a rolled hem foot. This will make my projects much better.
I’m making a beach shade and this video was extremely helpful and I love your explanations along the way. Also I’m a guy and need all the help I can get.
Amazing presentation and instruction. Clear, to the point and with an absolute precise delivery of the needed content. Very much appreciated. Thank you.
Just made my first lightweight hammock tarp, didn't do much research and bought iron-on hemming tape and borrowed an antique Singer sewing machine from a family member.
Took a good few hours, manually hemming using the ripstop pattern as a guide. 3" at a time with the tape and iron and then went around and did it again. Then sewed the entire thing, turned out really nice in jungle DPM. Cost me around $15 in materials.
This is a great instructional video! You mentioned mistakes I’ve made in the past. Thanks for the tips.
great video found it very useful as im about to make a tarp with some light slippery ripstop on an old industrial brother i got cheap just bought a rolled hem foot for it thanks again very informative
Your tutorials are amazing! Thank you for helping us poor DIY'ers make their own quality gear!
Excellent presentation. Concise and spot on throughout!! Well Done.
Excellent instruction! I have a few sets of these hem rollers and wondering about how to use in detail. Will keep in mind when I go to use eventually. Thanks for sharing!
EXCELLENT VIDEO. I need to replace my outdoor pillow's fabric is worn out, I'm so glad I came across your tutorial.
Ashamedly, I just watched the first 6-8 minutes of this video some months back and I continued to struggle. Today, I completed the video and am so glad I did! I am looking forward to trying the tissue paper! Thanks so much for this tutorial!
Julee Ringer good luck!
I'm only 6:19 into this video and I'm so grateful for the clear instruction! I have tried to figure out a rolled hem foot and just gave up. I will continue with the video now to learn even more.
This was great. Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge. Going to be making a hex tarp for my hammock this week, this is going to save me from many mistakes.
Good luck with your tarp!
Brilliant video, so informative! Just bought a machine and hoping to sew at a decent standard, subscribed - thank you
Amazing! Thank you for taking the time to explain it.
Thank you for this tutorial, I just baught a sewing machine specifically for sewing some ultra light backpacking gear like tents and stuff sacks using silnylon and dyneema. I've been practicing on other synthetic lightweight fabrics before I get to the expensive stuff. That paper tissue backing is a genius move, as I was having issues with the material binding up. Again thank you for the tutorial im sure you saved me from making some costly mistakes.
I have tried using those hem-roll feet without success. I'm just a self taught DIY kinda guy. This video, I've stumbled upon, has answered it for me!! THANK YOU !!! The next time I get my 404 out, I an giving this a go! (or whichever machine I have this foot for. I know I have a couple machines with it. I hope I have it for my 404). Thanks again! I hope it works 1/2 as simple as you have demonstrated here. Cheers!
I'm wanting to get the "Double Roll Hem Foot" but, I've been scared to. it looks to be an Hard to learn and Operate item to me, until now. After you showing us all how to use it.
I Think I Can, I Think I Can.....he-he. I Appreciate your video's A Lot!
I want a sewing machine and a rolled hem foot now! Thanks for the vid
Jelly, thank you for the tutorial, I did a double roll hem pinned the entire hammock the first time, this time I am trying to use the rolled hem foot and and it seems like toddler steps. All over the place but will be using the tissue paper trick.
Excellent video and instructions. Thank you for making and posting it.
THANK U !!! I`m amazed about ur detailed sewing! in two days i`ll hav a try with my ripstop-nylon...! THX
Useful tips, I'll be making some shade sails soon and this will help me with some fussy materials! Thanks!
Great work, thank you so much showing us your craft, greatly appreciated.
I’m late to the party on this video. Not only do I appreciate the clear instruction, but I have the same machine which makes things even easier.
Your videos are really great - super helpful to a sewing newbie like me. I had been researching DIY hammocks and hammock gear for the last few days before I came across your channel. Thanks so much for the information and I can't wait to get started on my hammock!
Craig Butterfield it is always great to hear about people getting into making their camping gear. Best of luck!
One question - what software do you use to lay out your designs?
I am making a 9x9 hammock tarp from 1.1 silnylon. My wife's old singer was very problematic, so I took it to a mechanic. It is now tracking and stitching much better. Turns out, he is a backpacker too. I made Amsteel whoopie slings for his hammock. he gave me the rolled hem foot. So, to make the thing work I need to raid my wife's sacred stash of wrapping paper...
Excellent... Thank you for the video. I'm going to watch it again....
Excellent tutorial and information. Now I just need a Rolled Hem Foot!
fabulous tutorial ... easily the best I've seen :)
With a little practice you can learn to use a foot like that with one hand freeing your other hand to guide/pull the slick fabric from the rear. Years ago I had to sew using a rolled hem foot. It was a little bigger and we had to be fast! I hated that job but I always thought that was pretty cool how that foot worked. It has a nice flow and goes quite nicely.
Thank you for the video, I am trying to get into making my own tarp and hammock and am a total newbie to using a sewing machine. Your video has taught me a great deal and is full of super useful information for beginners like me. Keep up the great work!
Good luck with your tarp!
Thanks, I have the pattern and most of the material. Now it is just practicing on scraps to get consistent with using a sewing machine. Any tips and tricks for proficiency other than sewing a bunch of stuff together? lol
The best way to learn to sew is to actually sew. The silicon coated tarp fabrics slide around so much that they are much more challenging to sew than conventional fabrics. Keep practicing.
Really peaceful video.
Awesome video. Very good explanations!
Wonderful video, so fine way you explain it all.
Thank you.
Mads
I am going on my bicycle now. ;-)
Excellent video. I’ll be trying the hem foot again with your tips. It’s funny, your version of “out of control” sewing and mine differ. I’m trying to get it right though.
Great instruction, thank you. Love the gangsta tunes at the start 😁
I wish she would make videos again. She’s a deep well of knowledge.
That was really helpful. Thanks!
I'm having no luck with my roll foot on 1.1 oz silnylon, but your tips with the gift paper, and leading into a new seam with an old is awesome. My stitches are much nicer now. Thank You!
Would a walking foot work with a rolled hem foot?
@@lyndapayne1680 No Idea what your'e asking. Sorry!
Excellent video, thank you!
Thank you ! I'm greatful for the knowledge ! 👍👍
Thanks! Very informative.
Thanks 👍 great video 👍
Working on making the rolled foot, work for me, sewed about 10 feet of rolled hem tonight, hoping someone does not give me sewing under the influence ticket.
Enjoy. Sometimes the influence just helps us relax.
Thank you so much Ms... er... Jellyfish, for your report. :)
Seriously: this video has so many great tips for newbies, like myself, who are just starting out and need lots of hand-holding while we stumble through our first attempts.
One small question, though. I've read on some hammock camping forums that a longer stitch is better because every perforation of the needle weakens the fabric; "use the longest stitch you machine will do" is one comment I've seen on more than one forum. So, while a rolled hem on most items is just to keep things neat, is it a good idea to use a longer stitch for sections that will be under stress -- like catenary curves?
Just asking.
Oh, one more thing...
I also want to congratulate you on your IN FOCUS macro shots -- 90% of the videos on UA-cam have poor focusing when they show the details (which we need to see) -- but you nailed it: crisp, clean focus.
You rock
Johnathan Wilkinson I usually set my stitch length at about a 3. I would err on the longer side, for sure.
"Alright I'm done playing games now.... You're gonna be in for a world of hurt."
Great video, thanks!!!
I just bought some 7D ripstop from Rockywoods Outdoor Fabrics. I want to make a ultralight tarp. This stuff is EXTREMELY thin and EXTREMELY slippery. Hopefully this video will help me put this tarp together without my head exploding.
Do you have any experience or tips dealing with cubin fiber?
Excellent!
What type of thread are you using, please?
Wow, lots of good stuff in this video. Question! Have you ever tried using an even feed foot to sew on these slippery fabrics like membrane or or silpoly?
This is a very good instructional. You are a good teacher and likely Taylor.
Do you happen to know where I can find these made for a vintage Kenmore model series158 ?
They are still in popular use, but surprised to have trouble finding accessories that weren't standard with the machines originally.
Gday and thank you for your tutorial, is there any chance you would be able to advise the best thread to use for sewing an awning made of the thicker poly tarp material? Please and a thank you. 😁🙏👍💛
Jyy..... Thanks so much for the outstanding tutorial !! I"m a guy and a beginner, hoping to eventually sew some outdoor clothing and tarps, and maybe a backpack or two. You' information is excellent and your photography is excellent as well. Thank you for your thoroughness. ONE question... when you are sewing, and you are using the tissue paper, how to you guide your material. Were you lining your fabric up on the inside edge of your presser foot or the outer edge... or what?? Again, Thank You... beautiful job!! Best wishes..... Ax
PS:
I would love to see a tutorial on sewing "cargo" pockets or "box" pockets on jackets, like a fatigue blouse or pants.
Thank you!
what size foot are you using? sorry if you already said. thanks so much for this video. it makes life so much easier when you know what you are doing on a sewing machine!
thank you
Curious what is the part number of the foot? I have your same machine Emerald 118 and the Husqvarna website says "not for Emerald 118".
what happens if one of the stitches becomes loose and has a change to tear and compromise this entire rolled hem?
Very detailed thank you
What size needle are you using?
That is a wonderfully clear demonstration, thanks so much. Could I please ask what you might use to mark lines and to cut these materials? Thanks Eddy
Pencil, scissors 🤭
what kind of thread, and the size needle was you using? great video, thanks so much for sharing!
Would you known if the Brother's sewing machine would have an attachment as the one you are using?
Esse tecido é o mesmo q faz parapente?
What kind of neddle and thread did you use for this fabrics?
Best video about sewing these fabrics. So so informative. Thanks 1,000x. I’m getting ready to sew up a membrane silpoly tarp for my hammock and this info is perfect.
By the way, did you burn your hand putting something in the oven? I’ve had a burn mark on my hand in the same exact place from baking haha.
Good luck with your project! I am always burning myself on the oven.
what needle and thread are U using? can basting tape be used on the 1.1 silipoly?
Great video, which size is the foot?
Can you please show a flat felled or French seams when sewing with silnylon or hyper D etc. to make say an outdoor windbreaker? Btw, you are an awesome teacher. Thank you.
Certainly. Stay tuned.
Thanks! I appreciate it.
Very helpful to a n00b like me, thanks
What thread and needle?
Thank you so much for this video! I have a project requiring Rip-stop fabric, may I ask, what size needle and type of thread did you use for this handy video please?
If it helps, the RipStopByTheRoll website has a page on needles and threads. They suggest:
90/14 needle and Gutermann Mara 70 for all but the heaviest pack fabrics and webbing
100/16 needle with Gutermann Mara 50 for heavy pack fabrics and webbing
70/10 - 90/14 needle with Gutermann Tera 80 for webbing, reinforcement areas, packs, tarps, and sewn channels on hammocks
Super video! I bought a rolled hem foot. What I time saver over all the pinning I used to do. I’m still struggling a bit with stitch length even with the tissue paper. Any suggestions would be appreciated. As a side note, I grew up as a child in Sudbury MA. I’m betting you are from the northeast as well. I’ve Long since moved and lost the accent but listening to you reminds me of home.
Try a 3 or 3.5 for stitch length. I am born and raised in the Mid-Atlantic.
Outstanding Jelly!! Many of these materials for UltraLight are a pain.
Have you worked much with DCF? Granted there is a lot of double sided bonding taping and taped seam sealing with DCF, but there is still reinforcement points (like for Ridgelines and Guylines tie out points) and even perimeter hems that are sewn.
Have a great day :-)
Beautiful job. Btw, at 20:20 you said not to leave the foot up with lighter weight fabrics. Not sure what you meant by that. Is it just because they will get away from you without being secured? I don't understand.
Thank you! I appreciate you showing how to work with these fabrics using a rolled hem. Any suggestions on how to cut ripstop to minimize all the fraying before I sew the hem? What thread do you like for these fabrics? Thanks again!
If you cut with a hot knife, you won't get fraying. I think that is the only way.
As for thread, I only sew with gutermann. Mara 50 or 70, depending on the weight of the fabric.
Flapjack or Mara 100, for really light weight fabric.
crepe paper streamers work amazing. Already cut to width and comes in long rolls!
Brilliant!!!
it rips out really easy and I find that is grips better!
hi, with this rolled foot do you think that if i have rip stop nylon with climashield insulation on the back that they will both will fit through the foot, or will it be too thick?
A double-layer of ripstop is probably the most one could sew with this foot. I suspect climashield wouldn't fit.
That hyper D is sweet
Oh yes. It is great.
Excellent explanation. Thanks.I got a "shade waterproof cloth" ( very thick).your fabrics are very thin..What type of needle shall I use?
Blue Royal I’d try a size 12 sharp (microtex)
ok,thank u
Hi, I hope you could help me? I was using outdoor fabric and with an outdoor thread My thread would bundle up on the quilting needle. I'm learning and the thread and needles were suggested to my by the ladies at Joanns.
If your thread is bunching on your needle, the needle is too small for the thread. A good way to tell the right size needle is to take the needle off the machine, thread a needle, and then hold the thread on both sides of the needle about a foot apart. The needle should slide along when you raise one end and not snag or jump down the thread.
What size Rolled Hem foot are you using for Tarps and UQ protectors? 4mm, 6mm, 7mm?
I have watched all of your videos and they have helped me tremendously in understanding my tasks and projects. Thank you so much for making the detailed training videos.
2 mm. This is the exact foot that I have: www.husqvarnaviking.com/en-US/Accessories/Narrow-Hem-Foot-2-mm
The narrower the hem, the easier it is to go around curves. On straight pieces, it doesn't matter.
Could the stitch length be increased to compensate for the slippage?
In my experience, adjusting the stitch length didn’t resolve the slipping, but give it a try on some scrap fabric.
what type of thread do you used for these types of fabric? also I'm looking at using a thin urathane coated polyester tarp material to sew a bicycle bag for over my sleeping bag. any suggestions? this will be my first project using this type of material
I'm using Gutermann Mara 70. The Mara 70 seems great for most applications that aren't taking strain. If you are going to sew straps on your bicycle bag, maybe use a Mara 50.
Thanks. I just realized I meant to say Bivy Bag lol.
Mara 70 should be more than adequate for bivy bag.
I know it an older video... But... What sort of thread do you use to sew these fabrics?
Gutermann Mara 70. Use a high quality synthetic thread.
Is there a recommended needle size for 1.9oz DWR coated ripstop nylon? I keep binding it up in the feed dogs and I am wondering if the needle size is part of the issue. Sometimes I can sew without issue but then suddenly bind. I suspect the thread tension has something to do with that too. The tension spring on the tension dial (or knob) was broken when I got the machine and I just used part of the remaining spring to form the loop that the thread goes around. Anyway, is there a suggested needle? And is a rolled hem foot the same as a binder foot? I am using a Singer 630 Deluxe Sig-Sag Sewing machine. I am waiting on replacement gears too, I had a dry rotted one fall off, so I am replacing them all on the bottom axle.
Is the thread breaking in the needle when you try to sew? If so, you probably have a thread tension issue. If the binding is happening because you aren't getting enough slack in the thread, you also have a thread tension issue. I would look into getting your machine tuned up. The tension could be on the top or on the bobbin thread. Try a size 12 microtex needle. That is a good multi-purpose needle and it should do a nice job on 1.9 oz waterproof fabric. Regarding the binder foot, that may be a "bias binder" foot? If so, it will add a separate piece of edging to your fabric. If you can show me a picture of what it looks like, I can help you figure that out. Good luck.
Make sure that when you thread your machine the presser foot is UP. If your presser foot is in the down position, the tension discs are not grabbing the thread, and that can also cause tension trouble.
This is a great review of tension on a sewing machine. ua-cam.com/video/YSSHUjOsVUw/v-deo.html
Sometimes the thread breaks, sometimes it does not. The "binder foot" that I have is titled "Binder Foot" in the manual and is described "used to apply ready-made bias
tape or unfolded bias binding to an unfinished edge. Such a trim can form a colorful finish to children's clothes, aprons, and household linens. It can also be useful for binding seam edges that might ravel". It looks something like this: ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/images/multi-slotted-binder-160359.jpg
I did not know this, I will make sure to do so.
What size is your hem when finished? I tried this with a narrow hem foot and my hem was an 1/8th of an inch. Would you recommend 3/8 or 5/8 hem?
A narrower hem is much easier to sew on curves. I would go with 1/8 before one of the wider hems on carenary curves. Wider hems are good for straighter seams.
Jelly Fish thanks so much for your help! Love the videos!!
@jellyfish
Heyo Lady,
I was wondering if you knew about hot air balloon making eventually. ?
I like that green RipStop fabric. :)
I am looking for hot air balloon blueprints of 10 gores and bulbous.
I looked for ages on the Internet and found nothing :/
Thanks a lot for any tip or help,
Thomas from Belgium
What are your thoughts/experience on sewing these difficult fabrics using a walking foot?
I think the Viking line of machines has a walking foot that can also attach the various presser feet, but it's not cheap. -- Went to look up the part # and apparently it's not for the Emerald line, which is what you're using. Figures.
I'm debating picking one up anyway (I have a Viking 600).
I love a walking foot! I have their standard walking foot and just shot some video using it (will upload soon). My foot doesn't adapt for the rolled hem foot, though.
Jellyfish Report Sweet. Looking forward to seeing that.
Do you normally use such a thin rolled hem? I thought it was good to sew it twice, so it would have to be approx a 1/2 inch?
The nice thin hem is working great. I've never seen a rolled hem sewn twice.
Oh, got it - thought that there had to be 2 stitch lines
"just get on your bicycle..." ❤
I use binder clips but this would certainly be faster.
Hello. I'd like to do rolled hem with ripstop nylon, around 1.5 oz, for a hammock. But I want to hand sew. Is it possible to do a servicable rolled hem on ripstop using hand sewing?
If so, should I use perhaps a backstitch, or a running stitch? Perhaps running stitch is too weak.
Also, should I use the same stitch length as would be used with the sewing machine, so about 3 mm?
I've seen that when making a hammock using lightweight ripstop, they do a double row down the sides and a triple row along the top edges of the rolled hems.
And I believe I have to use a fine hand needle, like a 75 or 60.
This is the only method I know to do a rolled hem by hand. It is usually for silk scarves. ua-cam.com/video/vKD1mQOuQfY/v-deo.html
I think you could modify this and shorten the stitch.
The side rolled hem on a hammock is not weight bearing, so you can probably get away with one pass. Because you'll have to knot off every few feet, you reduce the risk of stitches popping under strain and fraying out.
For the end channels, I would do 3 rows of stitches, and back stitch them all. Those need to be strong.
I see, thank you so much! So it's not viable to do backstitching for the sides too? And with ripstop I don't think there are threads, so I won't be able to "pick up" threads. I guess I just go straight through instead?
You certainly could back stitch. As for threads, just go through small amounts. It sounds like a nice project for a rainy day.
In my case, probably take me a rainy month ;) But that's ok. I'm not sure what you mean by going through small amounts of thread. Do you mean how long the thread line is on the needle? Mm I'm think it's something else.
As well, do you think running stitch for the sides is a bit weak? I saw another use wide running stitch in this situation and I thought it could come undone easily.
Hand stitching, the length of the thread is pretty much limited by the length if your arm. When you use that up you'll have to re-thread the needle.