Composting and sewing (not sowing)

My compost bins are approximately 1.2 x 1.2 metres and I cover them with a very cheap layer of camouflage tarpaulin bought on eBay. They’re now very ripped and need replacing.

As we are having new carpets laid soon I was thinking about making a tarpaulin ‘pillow’ and filling it with carpet or underlay offcuts. My question is, would sewing the tarpaulin pillow seams be beyond the capacity of a domestic sewing machine and would I need to find someone with an industrial machine? Or is the whole idea ridiculous and I should forget it?

I know I can use carpet offcuts to cover the bins but they get sodden, heavy, smelly and, being completely precious about these things, I don’t want the garden to look like a waste tip - not even the compost area!

Thanks for any advice.

 

I think it would be a bit thick for a domestic machine. My Mum had an old Singer treadle machine which would cope with anything but modern machines are more delicate. Could you use glue or a heavy duty stapler?

 

Of course - heavy duty staples. Why didn’t I think of that? And even with my level of incompetence I could probably manage that. Thanks @Baalmaiden

 

You can get "Heavy Duty" domestic sewing machines e.g. the Singer HD range, which would probably do it, but I suspect you're not wanting to invest in a new machine for this job.

 

I don't think I'd try to sew tarpaulin on my (domestic) machine.

 

I would not use any of my domestic machines for tarpaulin and some of these are white rugged. I've had people ask me to repair outdoor items on my industrial equipment and I decline. I will only sew new or cleaned fabrics. Most pros do not want to contaminate expensive equipment.

Would it not be better to buy light weight tarps which are pretty inexpensive and then sew those?

 

To be clear, the tarpaulin is not waxed sailcloth, rather it is like that black plastic weed suppressant fabric. It’s very cheap - 3m x 3m for about £9.

 

In that case you may be OK. Why don't you do a test with a small piece? Make sure you have an appropriate needle fitted and sew slowly.

 

Ah, slight problem there @Escarpment - I don’t have a sewing machine! I have to rely on the goodwill of friends and payment by Prosecco.

 

You could put a strip of say calico around the edges of each side (sewing 2 layers: one tarpaulin and one calico) which will not be as thick, then you could sew the two sides together, calico to calico.

 

That might be OK. Go carefully, stop if the machine shows any sign of struggling. If it's smooth plasticky material a leather needle (chisel tip) might work better than a regular one, or (conversely) a microtex extra sharp if you have one in a suitable size, but try a regular one first if that's what you have. I'd try a size 16/100. Set the stitch length as long as it will go - less chance of the material tearing along the seamline later. If it doesn't feed well due to slipperiness, putting a strip of thin cotton fabric underneath (against the feed dogs) might help.

 

If sewing you could use a sail needle with sail thread and one of these leather palm things to push the needle through but might be time consuming. Or as Baalmaden said find an old singer without the treadle. Feed it in with one hand and turn the handle with the other.

 

What aboutusing a strong industrial glue to stick velcro on the seams

 

Probably could be heat welded using a domestic iron on edge; shielded between greaseproof paper. Start at medium setting and vary according to results.

 

You can buy sticky Velcro with glue on the back. No sew @BenCotto