Hi Ian,
I had a splurge on my ripped rugs over christmas... the worst one was brand new and i just couldn t bear to throw it away. I used the neck from it to make patches and also used the fasteners for another rug. Maybe you or someone you know might have a beyond repair rug which can be sacrificed?
this thread shows the result! http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?p=11418762#post11418762
They supply saddlers etc but will sell to the public. most of my rugs have come with patches to make small repairs, not that they have needed repairing.
Cordura is tough and best suited for repairing rugs, abbey won't sell to you as they are trade only, see if your local saddler will sell you some off cuts, people often ask me for odds and ends.
Oz