Creating sails

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Creating sails

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21 November 2012 at 00:20 #37700
Who Boot
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@whoboot
Hi

I wonder if anybody would be able to suggest suitable ways of creating sails that are wrapped up and tied around their masts? I have built a model of a paddle steamer that had sails as alternative means for mobility if it was not using steam. On my model, however, the sails will not be used and will be clinging around the mast. If you were to look at the cover of the book called Confederate blockade runner 1861-65 you'll see what i mean (Just type it on the Internet to see). I'm modelling a blockade runner from the American Civil War.

I tried using tissue paper soaked in glue to creat the sails, let it dry and then paint it. But it turned out not very good. There were too many creases and folds in the tissue after it had dried. Maybe I should use real cloth which is quite thin. I wonder if anybody has any ideas please?
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21 November 2012 at 00:20 #6839
Who Boot
Participant
@whoboot
21 November 2012 at 06:41 #37704
Bob Abell 2
Participant
@bobabell2
Hello Who

Take a look at my Great Eastern

I have used pieces of sail material folded in a concertina manner and tied to the mast

Bob
21 November 2012 at 06:47 #37705
Bob Abell 2
Participant
@bobabell2
Close up photo

Note sail material is less at the top

Original photo by Dave Wooley

Bob
21 November 2012 at 07:44 #37706
Paul T
Participant
@pault84577
Linen or Calico folded into position and treated with a spray starch looks just like sailcloth and for extra reality use a haberdashery basting thread and a fine needle to apply stitching.
21 November 2012 at 08:02 #37707
ashley needham
Participant
@ashleyneedham69188
Not that I can boast about making decent sails, but all that i have read leads me to believe that the only way of simulating good reefed or rolled up sails is to actualy make some sails and roll them up. By this i mean you will have to use sail-y material as per paul`s suggestion above.

Ashley
21 November 2012 at 09:02 #37708
Kimosubby Shipyards
Participant
@kimosubbyshipyards
Greetings Who,

I've looked up Blockade runners and I assume yours is like the attached?

That being so, you only have two "gaff" sails to create. Depending on your scale, I would use either a white thin cotton hankerchief, or section cut from cotton shirt or cheap cotton pillow case etc. You want unbleached material if possible. A quick folded hem around the sail edges using pve glue would work nicely. Once dried stitch onto masts with a spiraling stich, then haul all in tight to the mast as if the brails had been hauled taught. To keep gathered at the mast tie some robands equally spaced.

Looking at the image posted, there is now reuirement for it to be folded in nice and neat.

Kimosubby.
22 November 2012 at 14:16 #37735
Who Boot
Participant
@whoboot
Thank you to everybody who replied. I will look for an old hankerchief (a clean one) and spray it with starch and thread it to the mast as per suggestions.

What a brilliant looking model you have in the Great Eastern, Bob.
30 November 2012 at 07:49 #37921
Bob Abell 2
Participant
@bobabell2
Hello Who Boot

If it`s not too late, here is the definitive method of creating furled sails….

**LINK**

Bob
30 November 2012 at 08:42 #37922
Kimosubby Shipyards
Participant
@kimosubbyshipyards
I don't know about you "Boot" but Bob's post is a definite Eureka moment for me. I've already got a copy in my files and will certainly employ this method for my next diaroma based on an "American" brig of the 1800's.

Thanks Bob, great find!

Kimosubby
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