Sewing enviromesh?

[WendyC]

I've got a couple of pieces of enviromesh which if sewed together would be big enough to cover a tunnel. I've hand sewn a short length before but has anyone run it through a sewing machine and if so any tips? I think it might be rather slippery to feed correctly.

[Pa Snips]

Just a thought...would it be possible to stick the two pieces of enviromesh together using that iron-on hem tape stuff, then run it through the sewing machine?

[WendyC]

That's a thought but I wonder what temperature you can iron enviromesh to. Strangely it's not a regular in the ironing basket. Have to try a test piece

[Two_Sheds]

For slippery fabrics: sandwich it between two layers of paper, then stitch.

simply rip away the paper when you've done

[Linnea]

Acutally not too bad to sew but a bit slippery. oh but watch the thread, don't know if my machine is on it's way out but the thread kept jamming and I got nylon thread so it doens't rot outside as quickly as I think cotton would.
I've thought about ironing two bits together too but didn't want to ruin an iron testing it out!

[lottie dolly]

try a bit first on a large stitch,holding it firmly,and taking it slowly,get the feel of what you got before belting down,also maybe need to put reference marks on first,as with any fabric on a long stretch it can be out at the end,
another try out for you,if you have a zig zag stitch,try it on the very edge of the two together,as TS said paper is the recognized method,
when i join long lengths of debri net up,there is the holes you can match up,so as not to get any gathers in,also MUST take your time as you will have a large volume of do what it wants fabric,
another awkward fabric i have machined is the plastic woven as in tarpaulin and the stuff with the string interwoven as in the blow aways,and always make sure the needle is down into the fabric before you make any adjustements to your fabric,as not only will you break the needle,but loose where you are in sea of fabric,try a thicker needle,all the best ,i will have to have a go with my mass of environmesh

[Sanjo]

I used home made bias binding from an old sheet and sandwiched the two pieces together between the binding.

[cazp]

I used to Harrods "heavy duty insect mesh" which is like enviromesh for my cloche covers which was lovely to machine sew and really strong too.

As suggested previolsy I used a large stitch to make the job easier and also used a synthetic thread so it doesnt rot. I didnt use paper and it seemed feed ok.

Another thing is that my mesh did fray on cut edges so I left a wide seem allowance - and used biased binding to finish the edges (I wanted these covers to last a few years given cost of material!)

[Aberdeenplotter]

a wee useful tip for cutting environmesh to prevent fraying. heat a soldering bolt to its maximum and the "cut" the mesh with the hot metal. Works a treat.

[Snadger]

Instead of sewing the mesh, you could overlap and put a support under the join and fasten with drawing pins.........

[WendyC]

Thanks for all the helpful tips. I'm glad I wasn't mad in considering it! Will try out and report back.

[Two_Sheds]

heat a soldering bolt

Good if you've got one, ideal. If not, heat up some scissor blades over a flame

[Sanjo]

Good if you've got one, ideal. If not, heat up some scissor blades over a flame

I would never have thought of that and yet it is so logical!!!

[lottie dolly]

have got a bit of net from the lottie just to try it out,it machines lovely no bother or slipping,BUT,when you pull the two halves,as in tention when you got it stretched over your tunnel,will split where yourv'e just sewed,allowing bugs in,unless you got a very fine weaved selvage edge,thats the problem i have with mine,the wave parted in lots of places,am very dissapionted with it,and wondering how to best use it at the mo,need to think when my head has cleared of MUST do things,

[Sanjo]

Could you not double it over and sew this seam and then put a binding over the seam.?