How to Mend Canvas
Canvas is one of the most durable fabrics available, but sometimes accidents do happen, and canvas can rip. This can be particularly disastrous if you're out on a camping trip and a big hole in your tent appears. But remembering this simple guide can help you out of a jam; provided you've brought the right tools with you in case of emergency.
Things You'll Need
- Patch piece of canvas
- Heavy-duty scissors
- Wax paper or foil
- Needle and thread
- Canvas or fabric adhesive
- Waterproofing Sealant
Instructions
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Make an accurate assessment of just how big the problem is. This means measuring the hole by length and width. If it's an L-shaped hole, make sure you take into account that you'll need to cover the entire damaged area with your canvas patch.
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2
Cut out your canvas patch to be at least two inches longer on all sides than the hole is. For example, if the hole is a straight 5-inch rip, you'll need your piece to be 9x4. If it's an L-shaped tear, 4x2 inches, you'll need an 8x6 patch to adequately cover it all.
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Cut out a second patch, of the exact same dimensions as the first patch. You'll be placing one on either side of the rip in the canvas to ensure that the fix is as strong and durable as the rest of the fabric, and to prevent further tearing.
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Apply fabric adhesive on one side of each of the patches. With each side of the hole pulled as closed as possible, place one patch on top of the hole, and one on the bottom. If the hole is not pulled closed, the canvas will warp after the repair is complete.
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Lay the repaired area flat on a table or a bench. Just make sure you lay something under it (like waxed paper or aluminum foil) just in case the adhesive leaks out. That could make your canvas stick to the table surface, ruining the canvas, the table surface or both.
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Lay a large, heavy book on top of the canvas repair. Lay some waxed paper underneath the book to protect it. Ideally, you should grab a block of wood or a hardcover book that you don't care about, and if you can, clamp it down on the canvas repair with some big clamps or a vise or two. This ensures that the adhesive will set uniformly and well.
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Finally, once the adhesive dries, you're ready to sew it up to add the last bit of strength to the fix. Sew completely around the tear, about one-half-inch away from it. Sew a complete circle for the best strength.
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Before you put the repair to heavy use, it's a good idea to test it out. Pull on it in all directions to make sure that your fix is going to hold. It's better to find out now and have to do it again than to get soaked on a camping trip when you can't do anything about it.
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Waterproof the new stitching on the canvas by applying a commercial canvas waterproofing gel. This will require drying out the canvas completely, coating it with the sealant, and then leaving it overnight in a cool and dark place.
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Tips & Warnings
Leave some canvas repairs, such as on sails, to professionals. The consequences of an improper repair could jeopardize your safety.
References
- Photo Credit Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images
