Can I use Juki DDL 555 to sew canvas?

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   We have a Juki DDL-555 and I need to make a full canvas cover for my boat. It'll be a small project nothing major. I bought some #18 needles I got a sample of some T90 polyester thread from the sewing shop. Was wondering if I can sew through canvas and clear vinyl with this machine? How many layers do you think it would handle? 

I was told by the store manager that my machine wouldn't handle the T90 thread and he recommended the T60 or even the lighter 40's. Also, he said that I don't have a walking foot? Isn't it just that little foot that pushes the fabric, which I do have. 

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dannieboiz Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 09 October 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3	Quote Reply Topic: Can I use Juki DDL 555 to sew canvas? Posted: 20 October 2009 at 4:04pm
	We have a Juki DDL-555 and I need to make a full canvas cover for my boat. It'll be a small project nothing major. I bought some #18 needles I got a sample of some T90 polyester thread from the sewing shop. Was wondering if I can sew through canvas and clear vinyl with this machine? How many layers do you think it would handle? I was told by the store manager that my machine wouldn't handle the T90 thread and he recommended the T60 or even the lighter 40's. Also, he said that I don't have a walking foot? Isn't it just that little foot that pushes the fabric, which I do have.

MattGrant Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Admin Group Sailrite Employee - Expert Joined: 21 April 2005 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 859	Quote Reply Posted: 20 October 2009 at 5:06pm
	Juki is a good machine. It should handle this nicely. I would say you should be able to sew at least 6 layers. I would also imagine that T90 (V-92) thread will work fine. Most industrial machines can handle thread of this weight without adjustment. Lack of a walking foot is a problem but it will still function properly so long as you help the material through. What you have is a drop feed mechanism. All of the feeding is done from the lower side of the fabric. A walking foot machine (like the Ultrafeed) has a feed dog that works in combination with an upper walking foot which pulls from the top side. So in effect you get purchase on both sides of the fabric. The difference is extreme. Hint: Use basting tape (#129) to hold Sunbrella panels together prior to sewing. This certainly helps and is highly recommended when sewing without a walking foot. Tidbit: Some machines have separate "walking feet" attachments. These do not work well and seldom provide any additional purchase on the material. With lighter fabrics they do help with plaid matching. In other words, they keep to bottom and top material layers feeding at a consistent rate. Hope this helps! Thanks, Matt Grant Sailrite
	Best Regards, Matt Grant Sailrite

dannieboiz Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 09 October 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3	Quote Reply Posted: 20 October 2009 at 5:13pm
	Yah, I'll be getting some Seams tape for this project. Actually, my wife is the one who's going to do the sewing, I'm just doing the cutting. For a 19" boat, how much thread do you think I'll need if I went two lines?

MattGrant Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Admin Group Sailrite Employee - Expert Joined: 21 April 2005 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 859	Quote Reply Posted: 21 October 2009 at 11:14am
	A 4 oz cone should do the job nicely. Thanks, Matt Sailrite
	Best Regards, Matt Grant Sailrite