Mending a Waterproof Breathable Bike Jacket

Posted by Sarah Dale on November 13, 2005, 4:33 am

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:

http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/tips/wb.asp

Thank you so much Penny! and:

http://www.cascadelayers.com/tseam_seal.htm

Now 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:

http://www.pointnorth.co.uk

I 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

Posted by small change on November 13, 2005, 11:38 am

Sarah Dale wrote:
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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

Posted by Sarah Dale on November 14, 2005, 2:55 pm

small change wrote:
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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.

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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?

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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

Posted by small change on November 14, 2005, 3:27 pm

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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 www.selbykaava.com in
Finland, that is adhesive on both sides.

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

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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.

Posted by Sarah Dale on November 15, 2005, 2:36 pm

small change wrote:

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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.

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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

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