Ripstop Nylon Questions

[temom]

I went through my stash looking for fabric to make backpacks out of, and found a nice heavy ripstop nylon.
I don't know much about it, but isn't it supposed to be strong?
How do you get the wrinkles out of it?
Do I need a smaller needle, and can it be a universal, or should it be a sharp?
Will a regular presser foot work, or should I use the teflon foot?
And finally, if I get my act together, is it strong enough to machine embroider on it?

I would appreciate any guidance you can give me!

[lendube]

I went through my stash looking for fabric to make backpacks out of, and found a nice heavy ripstop nylon.
I don't know much about it, but isn't it supposed to be strong?
How do you get the wrinkles out of it?
Do I need a smaller needle, and can it be a universal, or should it be a sharp?
Will a regular presser foot work, or should I use the teflon foot?
And finally, if I get my act together, is it strong enough to machine embroider on it?

I would appreciate any guidance you can give me!

Okay, Theresa, I've worked with it so here's my 2 cents worth.
Yes, it's strong.
I ironed it with a low iron. Try a damp pressing cloth first and go from there.
I used a regular needle.
I used a regular foot.
I embroidered very successfully on it.

My biggest projects were a tackle box and fishing chair, both for dh a few years ago. They've held up well.

[bridesmom]

I have also used it,
I used a microfibre needle (sharp) #70 (#10 US?)
I used a regular foot
Also used a longer stitch length.
Embroidered on it too, and it worked great!

[LeapFrog Libby]

Is rip stop nylon the flag material.. If so , I have some of that in my stash, and never got the nerve to use it. How did you finish the edges. Mine seems to ravel a lot.

[lendube]

I just serged I think.

[temom]

Thanks, Laura and Lennie. I knew I could count on you!
Libby, I was planning on serging all the edges, so I will let you know how it goes. When I make the bags, I start by serging all the edges, then I machine stitch them together. I find that my serging isn't strong enough for heavy use seams. I don't know if that is a user issue or not.

[bridesmom]

I didn't need to serge, it didn't ravel at all. Come to think of it, I did finish off the seams with waterproof tape so that wouldn't ravel at all.

[LeapFrog Libby]

Sometimes, I serge for regular seams, then if it is in for a lot of handling I will sew a seam beside the serged seam with my regular machine. Like the steering wheel covers, that get handled and pulled on and off a lot..