Repairing/sewing ventile

[Selous]

Hi,

I have a DPM smock style double layer ventile jacket. I have torn the thread holding the flap that goes over one of the waist pockets. Just an inch or so is torn away. It's the stitching that's torn. The fabric itself is still intact.

Any advice on repairing it?

Seems to me I simply need a fine needle and some cotton thread, but I'm very conscious that I am stitching an unusual material. Are there any special tricks?

Any advice gratefully received.

Regards

Richard

 

[Robbo]

Ventile is just very tightly woven cotton, so I'd assume a fine needle and cotton thread would be fine, but I'm going by the info I've read here on previous threads.

So perhaps it might be best to wait on someone with more hands on experience.

Andy

 

[Selous]

Thanks, I have to say that's the way I was thinking but I'd be grateful for some informed comments before I put knife to skin!!

Regards

Richard

 

[bikething]

Try contacting the manufacturer (Talbot weaving ?) - I know someone who was making a ventile smock and got lots of advice on how to sew it (Polyester thread and a heavy gauge needle IIRC) they even sent a little "ventile" name tab to sew into a side seam

 

[andy_e]

Get some Gutterman extra-strong polyester thread, will probably last longer than the ventile does.

Get something like this ...

http://www.profabrics.co.uk/shop/show_product_info.php?id=RB30-99

or this ...

http://www.profabrics.co.uk/shop/show_product_info.php?id=RP60-99

The second one is more thread than you're likely to ever need, unless you take up home-making gear

 

[John Fenna]

Personally, I use a core spun poly cotton thread.
The cotton is spun around a poly core giving you the strength of poly but as the cotton outer swells with the wet it helps block the stitch holes - just like the Ventile does - and helps keep the fabric working as it should.

 

[andy_e]

Sounds good John, will need to remember that for if I ever need to repair my own Ventile. You have any suppliers, or brand recommendations?

 

[John Fenna]

Sorry mate - cant find a label on the big box of thread I have had for a while now (enough to last a lifetime now I am no longer making so much gear [though if plans fall into place I may need it all and more and have to find a suplier myself! - more on this if my plans pan out!])
Check you local sewing shop or Pointnorth/Pennine Outdoor.
Just looked at the sites myself - it could be the Koban75 from Pennine outdoor fabrics that I have.

 

[andy_e]

Cheers John, thankfully my Ventile is still in good nick (for now) but I'm sure Selous can put that info to good use in the meantime. Good luck with your plans, hope to hear more when the time comes.

 

[Selous]

Thanks for all your comments. I must say, I'm taken by the idea of core spun poly cotton, John. I'll look out for that.

Thanks again.

Richard

 

[Risclean]

Polycotton thread available here -

http://www.empressmills.co.uk/acatalog/Polycore.html

I've got some 25s and 12s it has a good feel to it. 36s should be fine for normal use and you get a good choice of colours. Gutermann extra strong is polyester 40s, and Gutermann topstitch is 30s.