The Big Book of Boat Canvas: A Complete Guide to Fabric Work on Boats

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Part One: A Few Fundamentals

1. The Sewing Machine

2. Tools and Hardware for Canvas Work

3. Sewing Terminology and Techniques

Part Two: Topside Projects

4. Color Considerations

5. Fabric for Exterior Projects

6. Canvas Bucket, Ditty Bag, or Rigger's Bag

7. A Simple Duffel Bag

8. Ready Bags and Sea Sausages

9. Spar Bag

10. Life Jacket Bag

11. Sheet Bags, Tool Bags, and Lazarette Shelves

12. Sailboard Bag

13. Bicycle Bag

14. Building an Awning

15. A Dodger, A Bimini, or Both?

16. Riggin a Rain Catcher

17. Secure Your Ship with Weather Cloths

18. Hatch Dodgers

19. A Simple Wind Chute

20. Deck Cushions

21. Sail Covers

22. A Cover for the Yacht Tender

23. Building a Winter Cover

24. Windshield Cover

25. Hatch Covers

26. Custom Covers for On-Deck Equipment

Part Three: Interior Fabric Work

27. Design and Color Considerations in Interior Fabric Work

28. Fabrics for Interior Projects

29. Interior Cushions

30. Sheets and Quilts versus Expensive Upholstery

31. Curtains

32. Locker-Mounted Laundry Bag

33. Galley and Navigator's Strap

34. Lee Cloths

35. Creating Storage out of Open Shelving

36. Protective Carpet Runners

37. Fitted Toilet Seat Cover

38. Tablecloth, Napkins, and Placemats to Fit Your Table

39. Canvas Insert for Pipe Berths

40. Screens

Appendix 1. Care and Cleaning of Clear Vinyl and Acrylic Canvas

Appendix 2. Glossary of Interior Fabric Terms

Appendix 3. Sources

Index

The Big Book of Boat Canvas is a thorough revision and updating of Karen Lipe's two popular earlier books, Boat Canvas Cover to Cover and More Boat Canvas, combined with a whole new section on below-decks sewing projects. In this latest volume Lipe ranges well beyond the boundaries of traditional canvas work to create a comprehensive guide to fabric work on board. You'll find dozens of traditional canvas projects--sail covers, awnings, duffel bags, dodgers, and Biminis, wind chutes, winter covers--all with clear, step-by-step instructions, generously illustrated. You'll also find dozens of not-so-traditional fabric projects to add comfort and a touch of elegance to your below-decks spaces: custom interior cushions, fitted sheets and daycovers, privacy curtains, lee cloths, even a tablecloth to fit your varnished table. Lipe offers a veritable minicourse in interior yacht decoration, dozens of useful sewing tips, a careful detailing of materials nad tools needed for each project, and an extensive discussion of modern fabrics appropriate for exterior and interior use. In short, this handy book covers everything you need to know to sew comfort, utility, and style into your boat.

"A treasure of functional and fanciful projects you can sew yourself."--Multihulls

"You'll find this book of the utmost practical help."--The Ensign

It passed what is for me the acid test of a how-to book: The Big Book of Boat Canvas made me want to get at some long-neglected projects and even to try some that I never thought I could manage."--SAIL