UQ patch question

[Sailor]

I've got a SnugFit that acquired a couple of holes from a spitting raucous alchy stove. Each is a couple of inches on the out nylon shell, and I've got original fabric for the repairs. I'm wondering a few things:
1) how crucial is the thread on small patch, you s'pose?
2) I assume I should hem the patches to prevent them from fraying?
3) should I come up with some kind of sealant to prevent down from leaking between the stitches?
4) stitching should be as close together as possible, yes?
5) is there a regulation stitch?

thanks

[gargoyle]

I'm assuming (yea, I know..never assume..) that your doing this patchwork by hand?
Yes. hem your patches first to keep them from fraying. If the holes are all located in one general area, a large patch may look better than ten little random patches.
Pin patch(es) over the hole(s).
Thread color to match the thread in quilt will also look better. Polyester thread is the recommend material, avoid cotton...
If the holes are small and not fraying due to the melting process, you might be able to gather the "hole" and stitch each side together?
Being the fabric is not sil, a small iron patch may work?
A curved needle would be my needle of choice, keep stitches consistant, and try to match the stitch lengths already in your quilt.
A small piece of double sided tape may seal the down and hold the patch smooth while stitching.

Sorry about your quilt.

[Ramblinrev]

1) how crucial is the thread on small patch, you s'pose?
2) I assume I should hem the patches to prevent them from fraying?
3) should I come up with some kind of sealant to prevent down from leaking between the stitches?
4) stitching should be as close together as possible, yes?
5) is there a regulation stitch?

thanks

The thread for a patch is as important as the thread for the main piece. IOW use normal thread that you would use for making the project.

Personally I would not hem the patches. I find trying to do that is a true PITA. I would either heat seal the fabric or run some clear nail polish or "Fraychek" or a similar product along the cut edges. That will seal the edges and keep them from fraying out and is much easier IMO than hemming them.

How adventurous are you? You can buy heat activated interfacing which can be ironed on and adhere the patch to the shell, seal and waterproof the patch all in one step. (Wonder Under is one brand name.. there are others as well) HOWEVER nylon can be very heat sensitive so if you decide to go this way make very sure you test the heat settings on the iron on scrap fabric and follow the directions explicitly.

The stitch spacing is probably not critical unless you need to make the patch downproof. Even then there is a fine line between too close and too far apart. However if you chose to use a non-sewing attachment method the stitch spacing becomes moot.

Preferred stitch would vary according to what you want to accomplish. I would suggest you go to the library and get a book on "sewing" not making gear. A good sewing book will give you all the information you need for hand stitching just about anything you can imagine. Hand stitching is an art in and of itself with many different varieties of stitches, each with their own quirks and uses. But it is very much on the sewing end of the spectrum.

[Sailor]

--Need to get poly thread;
--too chicken to try the iron on--this stuff is (I've proved) head sensitive
--like the fingernail polish

thanks guys!

[KerMegan]

if you go with the polish/fraycheck option- paint the edges of the patches, then trim them straight just where the dry stuff starts.this will avoid blobs on the edges and little fuzzy bits developing later.

[Sailor]

if you go with the polish/fraycheck option- paint the edges of the patches, then trim them straight just where the dry stuff starts.this will avoid blobs on the edges and little fuzzy bits developing later.

thanks. after that's dry, I will paint the original fabric and patch again, press them together for a seal, and then sew

[Barefoot Child]

I would do the repair job as directed by Gargoyle IMHO/HYOH.