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Repairing Stretchy Fabric

Original Post
D Stevenson · · Escalange, UT · Joined Dec 2010 · Points: 25

Hey everyone,

I've been repairing my own gear for years, and have known how to sew since I was about 10 years old, yet I have never worked with anything with significant stretch.

After a year and a half of hard use, my Patagonia Rock Crafts have a hole worn in the back pocket. Patagonia is dropping some fabric scraps in the mail so I can patch it myself.

Anyone know of good/best practices for patchign stretcy fabric, especially in a place that sees a lot of stretching? I'd be afriad the stitching would limit the stretch, tear out, and make the hole bigger.

Any thoughts?

D Stevenson · · Escalange, UT · Joined Dec 2010 · Points: 25
John Marsella wrote:Decent machines have special stitches for stretchy fabrics. I suppose you need to pay attention to the direction of the stretch, too?
Yeah, with wear it is it'd be a pain with my machine...

I guess I'll just try to do a zig-zag stitch by hand like my machine does.... god it'll be ugly, hah.
Tosch Roy · · Bend · Joined Nov 2010 · Points: 45

Sometimes you can get away with using a straight stitch but stretching the material as you sew it. Thicker materials tend to work better with this technique.

D Stevenson · · Escalange, UT · Joined Dec 2010 · Points: 25

Thanks for the tips, everyone. I guess I should tear the pocket off, repair it, and so it back on with the same stitching that Patagonia used at the factory.

If I'm lucky, they'll send me a scrap big enough to just sew on a new pocket.

D Stevenson · · Escalange, UT · Joined Dec 2010 · Points: 25

I know how to sew... might as well do it right?

SavageMarmot · · Nederland, CO · Joined Jul 2012 · Points: 190

Sew it up! Major props to you for making the effort and saving some frogskins! I'd think of it like sewing up a 5.10 handcrack on lead. Use your rope to hook it together but remember about drag! Sewing isn't much different than leading from a theoretical point of view when dealing with stretchy stuff. Except for the danger factor. Wheee!

Tom-onator · · trollfreesociety · Joined Feb 2010 · Points: 790

I'm not a seamstress, but I am married to one.
Mrs. Erectus suggests finding someone with a serger.
The stitching works well with streatchy fabrics such as fleece.
And match the fabric's streatch as John mentioned.

D Stevenson · · Escalange, UT · Joined Dec 2010 · Points: 25
Tom-o Erectus wrote:I'm not a seamstress, but I am married to one. Mrs. Erectus suggests finding someone with a serger. The stitching works well with streatchy fabrics such as fleece. And match the fabric's streatch as John mentioned.
Thanks for the tips-- Patagonia sent enough fabric to replace the pocket, I might drop 'em off at the alterations place that's done some of my gear repair in the past. It's in such a high-wear area I might as well have it done right the first time.
Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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