Thoughts on rug repairs?

[Ginge Crosby]

So the ginger ninja has got into the habit of shredding his rugs..... Actually i think it may also be one of his field-mates who particularly likes grabbing onto neck covers and hanging their full body weight off it....

So i've started repairing them myself as having them sent away and done was costing a fortune (as is replacing them all!). Just wondering if anyone has any tips for repairs/reproofing?

I've already patched his fly rug with part of a net curtain..... the oxfam lady obviously thought i was crazy when i bought a set of net curtains and told her they were for my horse.

I've been patching holes in his T/O rugs with an old 'shreddie' that was beyond repair, then sealing the edges with Stormsure. I'm planning on reprofing with nikwax after they've been washed.

I do all of my repairs by hand, as I don't have a sewing machine, but I was wondering if I invested in one does it need thicker needles (possibly a stupid question....
I use Wenzel thread at the moment, but is there any other kinds that anyone can recommend?

Cheers

 

[noblesteed]

I use stormsure and patch from an old rug.
I stick the patch on with cured stormsure, but then I also go round the edges of the patch with it to ensure a waterproof seal. Then dust with talc to get rid of stickiness.
To sew them you need an industrial sewing machine, a regular one isn;t tough enough.

 

[QUICKFIRE]

I haven't repaired a rug for years, I used to spend hours hand stitching and repairing rugs, good old days of canvas rugs ! NOT! Thank heavons for high denier rugs, I don't even bother sending them for cleaning now, normally change them every 3-4 yrs, and alway buy the same rugs, send the old ones to auction and always get a good price for them that goes towards the new one. I find this more cost effective.

 

[Shay]

You can do it on a domestic machine - I do. But you do need a thick canvas needle and waxed cotton quilting thread.

Depending on the extent of the damage I either stitch the rip or stick on a patch. I find I get better results by over stiching a rip - especually on the nice rip stop rugs which means it doesn't go too far. But it can get a bit complex with turn out rugs as you need to split a seam, get into the rug itself and repair only the top layer. If you stich through the wadding and base layer the rug will leak. Its a bit like trying to sew up a duvet cover with the duvet still in it.

If you don't feel up to that - sticking a patch works fine. I then re-proof by hand. I like Hydrophane bit it seems to be a bit difficult to get hold of just now. I did the last 2 with Nicwax.