Hand Sewing Ripstop Nylon

[JakeFarley]

Got a long tear in the canopy of one of my old kites and don't want to have it repaired professionally (not worth it). I'm thinking of using ripstop tape on both sides and then hand sewing (Don't have a sewing machine). Any advice on how to hand sew would be appreciated. Anyone use a Speedy Stitcher awl? What stitch pattern and technique?

[tmcfarla]

I did this on a tear from trailing edge to leading edge and it is fine so far. Repair tape on either side of canopy, then hand-stitched the perimeter of the tape with uv resistant sail repair tape. Resale value goes to zero, but seems to work fine. I don’t know anything about sewing and didn’t do any fancy stitch or anything.

[Kitemenn]

Did the same, use the zigzag pattern. This should reinforce it good enough

[Janus]

Got a long tear in the canopy of one of my old kites and don't want to have it repaired professionally (not worth it). I'm thinking of using ripstop tape on both sides and then hand sewing (Don't have a sewing machine). Any advice on how to hand sew would be appreciated. Anyone use a Speedy Stitcher awl? What stitch pattern and technique?

I use the speedy stitcher with the smallest needle for repairing or making things on my harness or stitches in the spliced ropes I make.
For repairing the canopy.. I don't know.. think the needle is still to big and will leave a to big hole..
Machine use the tripple zig zag pattern.. that would be a lot of stiching work with the "speedy" stitcher..

[Herman]

Two people and two needles (one at either end of thread) is one way.

[Foil]

I would try Tear Aid type A, permanent repairs to sail or kite cloth without stitching, incredible stuff, once applied correctly it won't tear again, and can't be removed, basically invisible at around a few feet away, the surrounding cloth will give way before Tear Aid type A (not Type B as that is for other materials)
Only down side is the cost, and a couple of Chinese copy's to avoid on eBay, but they don't use the correct logo so easy to spot and avoid, buy only from regular dealers who have good feedback and solid background,
Easy to cut and a Muppet can do a good permanent repair job
Too expensive to use for kites torn in two, but up to say a 60cm tear then sure, I would use it.

[BWD]

Sail tape and hand stitching is fine by me. Have several kites I fixed this way, no issues for years/scores of sessions.
The resale value to zero thing is a bit of exaggeration O believe.
But I might not buy a used kite via internet with this kind of repair. Still would if I could see it and inspect repair quality. Would pay less though, at least $100 less I think... so usually worth it to get a pro repair in a way. But not if you are on vacation and need to fly the kite!

[edt]

Don't bother with the sewing awl it's faster with a regular needle polyester thread sail tape and maybe a thimble. I used to do this before I got my sewing machine. Save the awl for fixing the harness. Don't patch both sides it's better just to tape a single side. You can get a decent used sewing machine for $100 so it's a good investment. the reason you only patch one side is that if you use patches on both side it creates a section where it's as stiff as cardboard and then the canopy flaps around that stiff section creates a wear point you want to make sure that your patch is flexible so only patch a single side


Pro repairs are cheap and always best but sometimes you want to do it yourself

[FLandOBX]

I would try Tear Aid type A.....

Tear Aid stretches. It's appropriate for bladder repairs where stretch is desirable, but not for canopy repairs where you want a secure, non-stretch mend. Will it work? Sure. But it will not replicate the flying tension that your kite had before the rip.

For canopy repairs over 1", use rip-stop nylon sail tape on both sides and stitch with UV resistant tape. A hand stitch is fine. You can zigzag if you want, but a straight stitch will work just fine and is much easier if you're working without a sewing machine.

[PullStrings]

Had 3 long tears a year ago on my 12m
Ripped in the surf shorebreak
Looked like impossible to save
But i fixed it perfectly without sewing
I bought two rolls of Tear-Aid type A.....3" x 5ft....Amazon sells it about $ 23 per rolls
Made strips 1.0 inch wide
First i tacked the panel pieces together with circular quarter size just on one side
Then on both sides i use strips of tape....make the strips 6 inches long...and overlap them 1/2 inch as you go
Very sticky stuff....of the 6 inch strip peel off 3 inches using tip of small scissor and fold over...apply the 3 inch then the rest of it
Flies like brand new
Repair still holding perfect even after one year / 2 dozen sessions in 20-25 mph
Kite must be washed / dried before doing job
The areas were the tape goes must be cleaned with Isopropyl Alcohol 70% and fully dry before you begin tacking panels

As far as Speedy Stitcher it is great at sewing blown out dacron casing LE
Did several repairs with it.....some were nearly 4ft long
Make sure to buy the narrower needle sold separately
For the thread buy a spool SGT.KNOTS
Polyester sewing thread #138 16oz white

You can find a video about it on YouTube about it

Good luck
Take your time