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(Flat Seam Method)
1. CENTER CREASE YOUR CLOTH
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  • Unfold cloth over kayak​

  • Fold in half in long direction

  • Hold tension against your partner

  • Crease center fold

2. STITCHING THE BOW

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  • 2 yards of cord  (single strand)​

  • pinch cloth where it leaves the kneel

  • sew snug along outline of wood (1/2 stitches)

  • stop where you can slide off the sewn sock

  • back tack last stitch

  • take needle and clamp to stern

3. STRETCHING AND SEWING THE STERN

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  • take slack out of stern​

  • pre- stretch cloth vigorously

  • mark cloth at end of stern under max tension

  • slip cloth from bow sock and slide to mark

  • make new running stitch tightly down 4" and back tack

  • slip off stern and return sewn sock to bow

  • lever cloth with your foot over stern

  • finish running stitch around stern piece​

4. CUTTING EXCESS FABRIC

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  • let boat lean towards port side​

  • let port side of cloth fall out of way

  • lay starboard side over port

  • start cutting at cockpit (do not cut cockpit area)

  • cut cloth 3-5 inches away from deck stringer

  • repeat in stern

  • lean kayak on starboard

  • repeat cutting process​

5. STRETCHING WHILE SEWING CENTER    STREAM

* See alternative method with welting cord ​

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​   * right hand people start port side sew cockpit to bow​​ ​​10

   feet of cord (single strand of art sinew)

  • clamp tightened rolled ends together

  • sew from about 6" inside cockpit area

  • sew along starboard edge of deck stringer

  • stop 14"-18" from bow tip (bardarka)

  • stand on other side of kakak

  • repeat in stern

6. FINISH RUNNING STITCH ON THE    
   BOW

  •  

  • ​​re-thread existing cord on bow​​

  • pinch together and sew around outline of bow

  • ​​sew until you connect to your deck stitching

  • meet the deck sewing

  • connect with a square knot on port side

7. CUTTING FOR FLAT SEAM

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  • ​split into 2 pieces​

  • hot cut the port side at 3/8"

  • hot cut starboard side at 3/4"

8. FINISHING DECK SEAM WITH FLAT        
   BLIND STITCH

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  • ​9' sewing cord on a 4" curved needle

  • fold longer starboard over smaller port side

  • 1/2" stitch through fold

  • 1/2" stitch in boat parallel to fold

9. CROSS STITCHING BOW AND STERN

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  • ​Trim cloth around bow and stern at 3/8"

  • 12' of cord (bow), straight needle

  • whip stitch 5/8" apart starting from kneel on port

  • return with same cord ,use same holes port side

  • repeat same process on stern for balance

  • can cross stitch entire kayak if you choose

10. SEWING IN THE COCKPIT
 

  • ​over tension the cockpit ring with strap

  • center ring

  • adjust tilt and spin to center

  • cut cloth flush to top of coaming

  • drill extra holes on front sharp radius (if needed)

  • fold cut edge under and make crease flush with holes

  • clamp new creased edge completely around cockpit

  • 20' cord, hide knot between cloth and wood

  • sew in and out around cockpit​

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