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When putting our cabanon mistral up in the garden for our 13 year olds birthday sleepover we managed to rip the canvas with one of the poles. Don't ask me how, but I can tell you that strong words were said. We now have a 5 inch tear in the roof what it the best way to deal with this? Is there a do it yourself kit or will it have to be sent away?  It would just happen to be on the largest part of the canvas aswell.

Come on Val I know you'll have some gems for us!!!!

Many thanks

Alison

We have used Tenacious tape, had no problems, and very easy to use 

 http://www.needlesports.com/acatalog/Mail_Order_Repair_30.html

I tore a hole in my stub canopy last year. I could reach it with the sewing machine so...I zig-zagged the edges together to get the right shape. Then I cut up my peg bag (fortunately made of an identical piece of canvas) and put two patches on, one from underneath and a slightly larger one on top. I didn't urn the edges or stick it with anything, just zig-zagged it down. Then I ran a bit of seam seal over the seams, let it dry then gave it a quick spray with Fabsil on both sides. It was a very strong patch and held up to some very heavy rains when we used the TT again this summer, so I'm happy with it.

Incidentally I wetted the peg bag and let it dry before I cut the patches. This was to weather the bag canvas, just in case it was very dry. I used a strong polyester thread for the sewing but.

The patch is on a high-stress area over the centre stub canopy pole, where there's a lot of tension. So I really felt it needed to be stitched rather than just stuck. I was fortunate it was in an accessable area. If I hadn't been able to reach it with the machine I'd have either had to hand stitch it (very awkward and less satisfactory results) or take it to the local tent repair shop for patching.

So...where's your rip? If it's right in the centre where you can't reach it and the fabric is under tension in that area, you're probably better getting it patched professionally rather than risk a patch coming adrift on a windly night when the canvas is flapping around...and then the small tear turning into a big one! If you can reach it though and have suitable patching fabric and a sewing machine, a DIY patch will be as strong as a pro one, if somewhat less neat in my case.

Quote: Originally posted by dinopower on 19/8/2009

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TVS in Bolton do do repairs but this may be costly to send as its the big part of the tent.  We have used them before and they did an excellent job,

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TVS are excellent and one of the top choices for complex repairs, but most local tent repair companies would be able to handle a simple patch relatively cheaply I would have thought.

Val

Will you come camping with us please. I can think of no camping calamity you couldn't either immediately fix or have a solution for

It'd be like having our own personal AA for campers

Thanks everyone

It isn't in a high stress area so might try tenacious tape first, unlike Val I'm really really bad with a sewing machine so I might create more problems than I solve!

If not the OH travels up and down the country and would be able to drop it off at TVS

Once again thanks for all you help and advice without you I would have just curled up and sobbed!!

Alison

Quote: Originally posted by dinopower on 19/8/2009

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TVS in Bolton do do repairs but this may be costly to send as its the big part of the tent.  We have used them before and they did an excellent job, I suppose its down to if you want to attempt the repair yourself or get someone else to do the hard work for you.

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Slightly off topic,

I notice you spell your name with 2 "r"s, I have never met anyone else who does as mine is spelt "Garreth" too