Mending a Waterproof Breathable Bike Jacket

Hi All,

This time last year, I bought my DB a waterproof breathable bike jacket for his birthday. He loves it, but earlier this year had an accident, leaving his helmet, jacket and himself damaged. Luckily, he wasn't hurt beyond bruising, scrapes and shock, the helmet had to be replaced, and there is some damage to the jacket - although not major. Its amazing actually, since DB showed me where he had his accident, that nothing worse happened! He came off his bike and slid about 100 yards down a very steep hill!

Anyhow, being a nice sister, I have volunteered to mend the jacket. DB is coming to visit me soon and bringing the jacket along with him. I've had a look at:

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you so much Penny! and:
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the damage to the jacket is mostly in one place in the form of a large scraped and worn patch where is was between DB and the road.... I was thinking of buying either (a) some similar material or (b) a thinner material like rip stop nylon, making a patch the right size, putting seam sealing tape between the patch and the jacket, sewing round the edge and maybe across the patch,then sealing the whole lot - or maybe just sealing the edges of the patch, so as to maintain breathability (which is what DB needs the jacket to have). Does this sound like the right way to go about this repair? I'd appreaciate your advice, never having sewn this type of fabric previously. Do I need to have a particular type of needle for the machine? And am I correct in thinking a normal straight stitch is all that is needed? I've noted Penny's advice to use 100% polyester thread.

Having looked at:

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should be able to get some suitable fabric for the repair, and they carry the seam tape. I wonder if they'd sell me a patch sized piece of fabric? ;-) It's either that or I have to think up something inventive to make with the excess fabric! Perhaps I could make my DB a bum bag or bike pannier or something similar.... Anyone for fluorescent yellow?! ;-) TIA, Sarah

Reply to
Sarah Dale
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use a wpb fabric in a close color if you can find it, or something waterproof. Most ripstops are water repellent only unless they have a waterproof coating. If you have to use something waterproof, most repairs are not big enough to affect the breathability of the coat. If you do not use something waterproof or wpb,you will create a wet spot on the coat next time it is out in the rain.

You do not put seam tape inbetween the main fabric and the repair piece; you seam seal AFTER all the sewing is done, from the wrong side. Use Seamgrip adhesive if you can't get any tape. If you purchase 1/4 of a yard that should be all the fabric you need. Needle just match the fabric weight, and any good thread will work for a repair.

penny

Reply to
small change

Ok, noted. I can get wpb or waterproof fabric from Point North. Not being really into all this outdoor wear material, I hadn't realised rip stop nylon was only water repellent.

Eek! I hadn't noticed that - having double checked the nice pictures on that website, I can see it now. Given I'm doing a repair and there is no actual hole in my DB's jacket (amazing resiliance in that fabric when you think about it), I had thought I could sandwich the tape between the jacket and patch, sew the patch on and then seal the patch to the jacket with seam seal tape. This, I can see now, may not work.... I could give it a try on scrap pieces.... Would this method work with the adhesive?

Or would you recommend cutting out the damaged section of the jacket so I can access the patch seams from the inside and seal them as per proper method? Or maybe just skip the seam seal and double stitch the patch?

I was thinking myself that a fat quarter would be all I needed. I shall get my brother to measure all the damaged areas on the jacket before I order, but memory tells me it was mostly one single very scuffed area at about 4 - 6" diameter. It really does depend on what Point North's minimum order / cut length is as to the smallest piece that I will be able to purhcase. At least their P&P doesn't seem to be too extortionate. Hopefully they also stock flourescent yellow thread.

Many thanks for the hints and tips Penny, much appreciated.

Regards,

Sarah

Reply to
Sarah Dale

The tape is only adhesive on one side, that's why it won't work. OTOH, if you can get your hands on some Sewfree adhesive from

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in Finland, that is adhesive on both sides.

The fabric is scuffed and and not ripped? I don't understand.

If you are going to cut out the damaged section, do it after you sew the patch on or the panel may lose it's shape.

Let me out line the steps I use for patching, that might help.

  1. get matching or close match fabric.
  2. make patch about 1" around bigger than repair area. Edge stitch patch, make sure it's the right size.
  3. if item is lined, open lining so you can get to repair area
  4. pin patch carefully, make sure clothing is not pulled out of shape, patch is flat, edge stitch on to garment
  5. Cut out damaged area under patch ( optional) leave aboutr 1/2-1" inside sewing
  6. Seam seal sewn patch from inside with correct seam tape or Seam grip adhesive
  7. Close lining.
Reply to
small change

Minor clarification - rip stop may or may not be waterproof. Both kinds of fabric ar sold.

Some outdoor gear shops sell Gore Tex patch kits - though 6" might be a big bigger than they sell. Colours are limited. They have the advantage of being self adhesive. Check around, the following (especially the second) are a start.

Mike

Reply to
Michael Daly

Thanks for the idea and links Mike. I shall have to see if I can get something similar in the UK - once I have my DB measure the damaged area. It may be a simpler way to go than making a patch.

Many thanks,

Sarah

Reply to
Sarah Dale

When my DB fell off his bike, he slid on his back (or may be it was his side) for some distance on tarmac. Speaking from memory (as I saw the damage to the jacket back in May and was suffering from morning sickness at the time!) most of the damage to the jacket was limited to scuffs and abrasions and possibly some tiny holes in a 4 - 6" diameter area, where most of my DB's body weight rested during his slide. It was almost like the coloured part of the wpb was skin, and this was what had worn off, exposing 'flesh' underneath like a bad scrap on your knee. Possibly a couple of small rips / other damaged spots but I honestly can't remember. The jacket and his bike helmet certaintly saved him from far more serious injuries. Considering what had happened the damage to the jacket was relatively minor. Tell you what, I'll either get my DB to take a photo, or take one myself when the jacket is delivered for mending and either post it on the web or send it to you, so you can see for yourself.

That's what I had envisaged doing after my re-think yesterday. Many thanks for the extra hints and tips - noted and filed very carefully.

I shall tell my DB he also needs to thank you - and point him at your website - I'm sure he'd be interested. He's into bicycling in a serious way doing 30 - 50 mile runs, and also done a couple of triathalons.

Thanks again,

Sarah

Reply to
Sarah Dale

Well having just spoken to my DB, he tell's me my memory is useless, and there *is* a hole in the jacket!!! I do apologise Penny for mis-leading you there. Morning sickness at the time of viewing and the 5 month time elapse probably didn't help :(

He tells me there is a hole approx. 1" by 4", and the overall damaged area maybe 4" by 6". Plus one other smaller hole.

Sarah (hoping her memory will come back when the baby's born....!)

Reply to
Sarah Dale

the repair kits are great; really good stuff but they only come in basic colors like black and navy, maybe red.

Reply to
small change

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