(→Patches) |
(→Patches) |
||
| Line 5: | Line 5: | ||
===Patches=== | ===Patches=== | ||
| − | Usually it's best to patch, even if you're just fixing a tear that could be sewn back together. Using a patch moves your stitching further from the damaged bit, so you'll probably be sewing through less worn material, and also spreads out the load on the repair. It's best to make patches oval, or at least do give them rounded corners so they have less of a | + | Usually it's best to patch, even if you're just fixing a tear that could be sewn back together. Using a patch moves your stitching further from the damaged bit, so you'll probably be sewing through less worn material, and also spreads out the load on the repair. It's best to make patches oval, or at least do give them rounded corners so they have less of a tendency to lift. If you've got an old suit, the least worn bits of it can be used for patching material. If not, a fair bit of good material for patching can be harvested from your current suit by removing or shortening the inside pocket, or by slightly shortening the legs. Before sewing or gluing the patch on, wash the oversuit (this is easily done by wearing it in the river and wriggling around on the rocks) and dry it. [[User:Duncan.collis|Duncan Collis]] 08:16, 2 June 2008 (BST) |
===Gluing=== | ===Gluing=== | ||
Revision as of 07:19, 2 June 2008
Contents
Cordura Suits
I intend to fix my cordura suit and try to get it to last another expo. Could I have some advice / discussion on how this is best done, and where the necessary patching stuff can be bought in Cambridge? -Aaron 22:20, 1 June 2008 (BST)
I did a lot of oversuit patching last year - I started off with a brand-new Warmbac suit, and Razordance very rapidly wore it out; the cordura wore thin and then would catch and tear. There are a couple of places where (strangely) the cordura has completely gone, leaving only the transparent waterproof membrane on the inside. Anyway, I digress... Duncan Collis 08:16, 2 June 2008 (BST)
Patches
Usually it's best to patch, even if you're just fixing a tear that could be sewn back together. Using a patch moves your stitching further from the damaged bit, so you'll probably be sewing through less worn material, and also spreads out the load on the repair. It's best to make patches oval, or at least do give them rounded corners so they have less of a tendency to lift. If you've got an old suit, the least worn bits of it can be used for patching material. If not, a fair bit of good material for patching can be harvested from your current suit by removing or shortening the inside pocket, or by slightly shortening the legs. Before sewing or gluing the patch on, wash the oversuit (this is easily done by wearing it in the river and wriggling around on the rocks) and dry it. Duncan Collis 08:16, 2 June 2008 (BST)
Gluing
I tried using glue (bought in Bad Aussee, but I can't remember what sort it was - I think Olly B reccommended it), which on its own wasn't hugely successful. Unless the amount of glue was just right and the patch was stuck on after just the right amount of drying time, it didn't stick very well. Duncan Collis 08:16, 2 June 2008 (BST)
Sewing
Frank brought along some vicious sailmaker's needles, a couple of sailors' pads and a reel of "Whiplash 2000" fishing braid. This was excellent for sewing on patches. To hold the patch in place, just gaffer it on and then stitch through the patch, suit and gaffer. I tried gluing first and then patching, but the glue made it harder to push the needle through and didn't really seem to be necessary when using Frank's indestructible fishing braid as thread. Smearing glue over the stitching seems to be worthwhile, although the best thing to use for that is probably Aquasure. Duncan Collis 08:16, 2 June 2008 (BST)