Who repairs their own rugs?

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weebarney

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I have a serial rug wrecker and I've decided I need to learn to do some simple repairs myself, question is what sort of needle to I need to repair surcingle straps? And what sort of thread do you use?
 
If you mean by hand, then saddler's needles and nylon thread, both available from Abbey Saddlery, a trade supplier. I'd also recommend you get a saddler's palm to help you push the needle through the heaviest bits. If you're contemplating using a domestic sewing machine (and it is possible to do if you are very careful), use button thread and the heaviest needles you can buy (the ones recommended for sewing jeans).

I repair all our own rugs, and tack, but then I have leather sewing machines as part of our business. It is perfectly possible to do with basic leather working skills; if you can thread a needle and push it through the holes then you can repair tack (or rugs). I'm surprised more people don't do it, but then nobody repairs or makes anything any more, do they.
 
I repair my own - I used to just patch everything, but now I use the Horseware rug repair kit - it contains rug patches, and Stormsure glue which has so far held all this winter season and completely waterproof. For little rips, or rugs like fly sheets, I just stitch myself.

But I am a cheapskate who hates spending money on repairs. I prefer to do it myself.
 
Cortez said:
If you mean by hand, then saddler's needles and nylon thread, both available from Abbey Saddlery, a trade supplier. I'd also recommend you get a saddler's palm to help you push the needle through the heaviest bits. If you're contemplating using a domestic sewing machine (and it is possible to do if you are very careful), use button thread and the heaviest needles you can buy (the ones recommended for sewing jeans).
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yeah it's just by hand as haven't got a sewing machine , thanks I will try that supplier, my dad did have a palm wotsit but it's knackered now so I'll look to get one of them.
 
khalswitz said:
I repair my own - I used to just patch everything, but now I use the Horseware rug repair kit - it contains rug patches, and Stormsure glue which has so far held all this winter season and completely waterproof. For little rips, or rugs like fly sheets, I just stitch myself.

But I am a cheapskate who hates spending money on repairs. I prefer to do it myself.
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The latest job that needs doing is a surcingle repair, I've ordered the replacement part just need to stitch it up with something substantial.
 
I do if I have time and its not overally trashed, usually my boy just gets nicks under the trees/on bushes on his or some lovely field mate has bitten him on the wither. I buy the patches of material specifically for horse rugs off eBay. I use a leather needle which I also got in a pack off eBay. It really pays to get the right needle or you can be there for ages with a very sore hand!
 
I have a rubber that hangs off the back of rugs and pulls the tail flaps off. I have had to repair myself and I buy webbing, fittings etc from here www.lyndashorsewear.co.uk. They deliver quickly and you should find all you need. I do use my sewing machine with strong jeans needles. Try a thimble if hand sewing as your fingers will become sore.
 
I do, I don't buy anything special, I've an old XL oilskin trousers that i use for patches, no idea where it came from but it would fit 3 of me in it, well now it's full of square holes i've used for rug patches. I just sew them on with strong thread and waterproof the seam. nothing special, easy
 
I find that plaiting needles and thread will do for most jobs, I rub a candle over the stitching afterwards
 
I too have a pair of serial rug wreckers - they can and have trashed 2000 denier rugs in one week before.
I try to fix anything small myself so long as it isn't the surcingle or chest straps - (I don't have a saddlery needle and only normally use heavy duty needles bought at supermarkets and sewing sections of department stores, and will now have to have a look at the above recommended place to buy some as they sound rather more use than the ones I currently use).
I cannot buy any rugs below 1200 denier due to their antics of quite literally towing each other round the field by their rugs at speed tends to trash them fairly quickly :-(
 
Cortez said:
If you mean by hand, then saddler's needles and nylon thread, both available from Abbey Saddlery, a trade supplier. I'd also recommend you get a saddler's palm to help you push the needle through the heaviest bits. If you're contemplating using a domestic sewing machine (and it is possible to do if you are very careful), use button thread and the heaviest needles you can buy (the ones recommended for sewing jeans).

I repair all our own rugs, and tack, but then I have leather sewing machines as part of our business. It is perfectly possible to do with basic leather working skills; if you can thread a needle and push it through the holes then you can repair tack (or rugs). I'm surprised more people don't do it, but then nobody repairs or makes anything any more, do they.
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Cortez I think you have just saved my fingers!
 
I repair all my own rugs, would much rather spend the money I save on other things!
I have heavy duty needles from eBay and use leather thread or heavy duty camping stuff. I don't find the patches stick tbh and sewing, although time costuming It stops the rug destroyers ruining good rugs in weeks!
 
I mend mine too but i have got heavy duty industrials. Most rugs could be repaired hand stitched though and ones that are truly past it can allways be used for patches and spare straps and fasteners
 
Ive only ever tried to fix one rug and it didnt work but my friend said she uses fishing line instead of thread because its really strong - dont know if its true or not though :/
 
My wife is a bridle stitcher by trade so she repairs any rug damage herself by hand. She uses saddlery needles & an awl. She does however say that repairing rugs really knocks her saddlery needles about & soon blunts them.

She tends to rub candle wax over the thread before she sews as this is done when stitching leather & it helps the thread pass through the holes easier.
 
Another vote for Stormsure :)

I use fishing line for sewing patches, and it's also good for leatherwork. It's cheaper, comes in different weights and is nearly invisible on the finished item.

I keep a curved upholstery needle and a doll needle in my needle kit.
 
Another vote for speedy stitcher, I have used it to repair countless rugs including replacing belly straps. When fixed with that they stay fixed!
 
Very easy to use, it comes with instructions and even if you lose them you can find instructions on the internet. the only thing is you have to stitch all the way through the rug, it does make a neat strong mend though and if you do it properly you don't have to re do it.
 
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