How to Sew Up an Awning
It is sometimes possible to hand sew an awning that has been damaged from exposure to the elements without taking it down. Hand sewing is not the way a professional canvas trimmer would repair an awning, but it will get you through another one or even two years before dealing with the expense of replacing your awning. While small holes can be patched, you need to make sure the only thing wrong with the awning is broken thread in the seams before choosing this repair option. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Fabric brush, soft bristled (optional)
- Ripstop tape, matching the canvas (optional)
- Scissors
- Ladder
- Ultra-violet protected hand sewing thread
- Curved upholstery hand sewing needle
Instructions
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1
Position the ladder on solid ground, and have someone hold it steady for you. While ladder safety is always important, hand sewing an awning can take quite a while. If the hole is big, you might get tired from extended time on the ladder, making it extra important to have the ladder securely positioned.
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2
Inspect the damaged area of the awning, looking for small holes or dry-rotted fibers in the seam folds. If you find either holes or weak fabric, brush the damaged area gently with the fabric brush to remove loose dirt. Use the scissors to cut a piece of ripstop tape big enough to cover the hole, or long enough to run along the damaged area of the seam. This will reinforce the fabric before you begin sewing, helping your awning last longer.
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3
Thread the curved needle with the UV coated thread and knot the ends of the thread.
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4
Push the needle into the awning one inch from the end of the torn seam, hiding the knot in the seam folds as you pull the thread through. Move the needle 1/8-inch toward the hole and poke the needle tip down through the canvas. Pull the thread tight and then move another 1/8-inch forward. Continue making these tiny 1/8-inch stitches all the way across the damaged part of the seam. Follow the original seam line. Anchor the thread by making three tight stitches, one right on top of the other.
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Tips & Warnings
You might have to pull hard to get the raw edges back together if the awning has been damaged for a long time. If you cannot get it to pull closed, you can add up to 1/2-inch to each side of the canvas by attaching ripstop tape. If you use ripstop tape to widen the seam, you will have to fold the tape over on itself or put a small scrap of fabric on the back to keep it from sticking to your hands.
The stitch you are using for this repair is called a running stitch. It is usually used as a basting stitch, but the stitches you make for this task are very small and tight, unlike a basting stitch.
References
- Photo Credit red awning image by Rikmo from Fotolia.com
