Monday, 1 February 2010

Domestic sewing machine does the job!

I got down on the floor today and set up our little "Brother" sewing machine. It handled the coated nylon sail thread and Novathene fabric quite well.
I had to set up the industrial sized spool of thread on a rod supported by two saw horses above the machine but that was the only problem I encountered other than setting up the thread tension correctly.
Once I'd done some practice runs on some scraps of cloth I sewed up the seams. I only broke 3 needles!
Lastly I sat down to hand sew the two joins in the bolt rope with waxed sail makers twine.

The sail now only needs bending back onto the spars and then I can set up for another dry run.
I'm learning patience which does not come naturally to me.
I do love the process of sewing by hand, there's something hypnotic about the activity. The result is so satisfying, so strong. I like to think of the power this inanimate sail is capable of producing, quite magical.
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Toroa by Harmen Hielkema & Mike Toy.

Header Photo: Toroa at Rawene by Julie Holton.

This blog is dedicated to the memory of my father Roelof Hielkema who instilled in me the willingness to learn.
These pages are intended to inform and add to the growing body of knowledge concerning the Canoe Culture of the Pacific, past, present & future, from the Tupuna, the Ancestors of the Pacific cultures to the people of the world.

These pages contain Images and text relating to our two proas, Toroa & Takapu, some history relating to our experiments & experiences.

The dissertation that I posted on this blog in April 2008 "Takapu The Proa" was written by me in 1997 in response to an assignment that I was set whilst studying for my design degree. The dissertation covers many issues that a proa enthusiast may benefit from reading about.

Waka define culture as culture defines waka

Waka reflect the individuality and uniqueness of a society which in turn is governed by the geography, geology, topography, climate, location, resources, isolation, origin, flora, fauna, flotsam, jetsam, etc.

Waka are our link to the past, they have shaped our present and define our future.

Waka are the vessels of knowledge, physical and mental development, freedom of bondage to the land, key to our inquisitiveness, expressions of our ingenuity and courage, our love of shape and form, the seat of our power.

Waka are the source of our material culture, from which all processes are derived.

Waka are who and what we are.