Hello everyone, this will be my first post aside from the “introduce yourself” subforum. I’m not entirely sure where to ask this question, but I thought since I’ll hopfully one day be sewing and selling my work, maybe this would be the place to ask.
And I do apologize if this is something I shouldn’t be asking here. I’ve been trying to find the answer to this question all over the Internet but I can’t find it anywhere. Locally here in Taiwan I’ve asked sewing shops and our seemstress, but they just tell me “Don’t worry, it will be fine. Just do it the easiest way.” (They tend not to care about details here at times.
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So my question...
Does anyone know if a straight line bar tack (two or three passes) is terribly inferior to a proper bar tack (criss-cross pattern) for load bearing purposes?
I’m trying to sew 1” nylon webbing with polyester thread, to be used for motorcycle luggage straps. I’ve mocked up a set that I’ve been using for the past couple months using only bar tacks (three tacks, two passes each) and they seem to be holding up fine to the amount of pulling I do to get them super tight.
But I worry for a product that people will (hopefully!) want to purchase, if this type of stitch is acceptable? From what I’ve seen in other straps made for this purpose, they use either bar tacks with the criss-cross pattern or a box-x. And the box-x is basically a straight line bar tack at the top and bottom of the box.
The problem is, I only have a Juki industrial straight line machine. It’s great actually. It sews through many layers of webbing like it’s nothing. But without the money to buy something more versatile, I’m stuck with what I have.
On a side note, I CAN do a box-x. I’ve been practicing every day. But I have questions about that as well. (Will leave it for another thread) And for quickness and simplicity sake, I’m hoping to do bar tacks if possible.
Lastly, I apologize if my terminology is off. I’m a guy with very little experience in sewing. The only connection I’ve had to sewing was an old high school “adult prep” class that taught me how to sew a button which proved quite useful over the years!
Thank you for any help and suggestions.