How does a Sailing Making and
Sail Repair class goes?
Do you want to know how the class is organized? What will you learn? Is it fun? Will you make a sail or learn how to repair a sail or both?
This is the true story of one student attending the Sail making Class.
Arriving at the Sail Making loft
In front of the door of what appears to be a garage, we have an appointment at 9:00 a.m. for the sail making workshop. “Wear something warm,” we were told by the school staff, “it’s cold in a sail making workshop.” I wonder how we’re going to make a sail in two days; I can’t remember the last time I did any sewing, not since I was 12 at school….
The garage door opens and I discover a huge basement: it looks like a dance or bowling alley: the parquet floor shines and everything is perfectly clean. On the left are racks full of rolls, a large table, a computer and a blackboard and on the right five sewing machines: Phew, I’m in the right place! Let’s the fun begin!
Sail concept, design and calculation
Before making a sail, you need to calculate it and design it. Fortunately our instructor is here to explain everything. We are going to fabricate a sail.
After a coffee or a tea, we go around the table of the 4 participants and we are told that we have two days to make a sail: a jibe for a small sailboat.
François, the instructor and the owner of FAST Sailing loft begins with the theory.
Starting with a simple diagram on the board, he explains how to choose the right sail for the boat and the direction it is going. How to measure the sails and what measurements to take. For the shape and curvature of the sail, he is cutting out a simple sheet of paper. His diagram on the board is completed as he explains. He lets us touch and differentiate the different materials and helps us understand the advantages of one over the other, what we can expect in terms of performance, durability, price and use. In short, he gives us the keys to discuss and understand with a sailmaker, to diagnose a sail.
Design and trace the sail outline: crafting the jib
We use the software to make a precise technical drawing and then we use a thread and drawing pins to trace the outline of the sail on the ground. This is the silhouette of the jibe that we fill with fabric. François shows us how and then gives us the scissors to cut the fabric. It will be like this at each stage: he shows us how and then lets us do it ourselves, providing helpful comments and advice. Some will be more agile and quicker than others, but under François’ watchful eye and with everyone’s enthusiasm, everyone takes part!
It is a very good experience and hands-on sailmaking work.
Cutting, Sewing the sail
Learning from each other: boating stories
We share our meals at the big table, but also our sailing experiences, our projects and our sailing and boating stories. Some are here to learn how to repair their own sail, some wants to make their sail. In any case we are here because we want to improve our skills and knowledge and understand we will be able to talk to our sail maker with a good background. This class willalso help us choose the right sail for our sailing programs. It is not only a sail making class, it is a sail education class. All students seem to be very motivated and interested.
Sail assembly, Sewing and Crafting
In the afternoon, we set off for sewing. Those dedicated machines are not your regular sewing machine. They are all different and used for different kind of sails or material. François explains the different machines to us.
- how they operate,
- how to set them up,
- the zigzag stitch,
- how to make the sail glide.
This time we are no longer working on the floor, he has a table system that allows us to work sitting down. His workshop allows him to make sails for yachts up to 42 feet. We create a window, make the patches, understanding why a particular patch is in a particular place.
Before leaving, one of the participants has brought a sail. François takes the opportunity to tell us what he looks at first and share his diagnosis with us.
Second day of the class: Sail making final and sail repair tips
On Sunday, the day is devoted to making carnations and learning how to repair your sail by hand. We practice, we cut, we sew… the atmosphere is studious, we laugh a lot, we concentrate and as if by magic, at the end of this workshop the sail is ready.
Conclusion: what have I learned?
During these two days, I learn a lot of thing regarding the sails and how they are made:
- Basic design concepts to fit your boats and your needs
- Sail material: why they look so different
- Cutting sail clothes
- Sewing techniques and assembly process
- Final touch
- Skills and tips to repair my own sails on board or on shore
It was a really good investment in time and money. I met great people and had a lot of fun with a very knowledgeable and patient instructor.
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