Mending canopy

cagey

cagey

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Equipment, basic ordinary old electric sewing m/c, sail repair needles,thread palm etc although canopy is very thin
Skill level, zero but I’ m handy with most things.
Question canopy needs repairing. It’s old and thin but amazingly after dose of silcone it’s watertight. Only want to patch that’s good enough to last this season. Maybe 5 small areas
1 how do I stitch it and maintain watertight integrity
2 should I put 2 layers of material, 1 either side of original canopy or if 1,sew it on top or bottom of original.
3 what material should I use or buy ,probably ask skb there advice as they will be making new one.
I’ve left it too late to have it done properly but I quite fancy giving it a go.
Help or pointers please
Ta
K
 
If you're patching a canopy, then the patch should go on the outside. A reasonably robust domestic machine should cope with it. The material is almost certainly acrylic canvas: given that you're patching I wouldn't bother with branded stuff like Top Gin but just get some generic stuff of eBay. Treat with silicone after repairing should keep it reasonably waterproof.
You may find using narrow double sided tape good for keeping the patch in place whilst you do the sewing.
 
As per Duncan, make the patch first ie sew a hem all around it. Then sew the patch onto the outside. If it's only for one season ordinary sewing thread will probably be enough.
The other option is gaffer tape stuck inside and out, no sewing.
 
cagey said:
Equipment, basic ordinary old electric sewing m/c, sail repair needles,thread palm etc although canopy is very thin
Skill level, zero but I’ m handy with most things.
Question canopy needs repairing. It’s old and thin but amazingly after dose of silcone it’s watertight. Only want to patch that’s good enough to last this season. Maybe 5 small areas
1 how do I stitch it and maintain watertight integrity
2 should I put 2 layers of material, 1 either side of original canopy or if 1,sew it on top or bottom of original.
3 what material should I use or buy ,probably ask skb there advice as they will be making new one.
I’ve left it too late to have it done properly but I quite fancy giving it a go.
Help or pointers please
Ta
K
Click to expand...

Has UV got to it, if so dont wast your time.often stitching gets affected first, once the fabric is uv damaged thats it get your beer vouchers out
 
You might find that having kept your hood going for one year, you just keep going. I have been doing mine for 15 years now! It got a new window this winter, it's third!

Just put a patch on the outside. If you can, darn the hole, first. I don't bother folding over the edges of the patch, I heat seal the material with a soldering iron. Stick the patch on with double sided sticky tape - you only need a few small pieces to locate it over the hole. Keep the sticky tape away from where you will be sewing as the glue gets on the needle and can gum up the sewing machine. If your machine does zig-zag stitching, it makes a neat job if you zig-zag over the heat sealed edge. Use a good thread with UV protection - it disappears very quickly under the sunshine. It's easy to sew acrylic canvas, almost any machine will do it.
 
K, if you want to borrow Don Casey's book on canvas work, I can send it. He covers repairs of sailcloth. Basically you sew a patch, using double tape to locate it, then cut out the bad cloth beneath it. If the warp and weft are really worn and loose you will be better off making a double patch, above and below the worn area.
 
Thanks for all the advice, and Tim thanks for the offer but I’ve found enough through all the answers to make a passable bodge.
Ta
 
cagey said:
Thanks for all the advice, and Tim thanks for the offer but I’ve found enough through all the answers to make a passable bodge.
Ta
Click to expand...

Easiest bodge is gaffa tape. It will last a season or two and once the material is flat its quick to do
 
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