How Do You Repair A Tent. ....

[bcashwell]

my wonderful dog tore a hole in my tent, what is the best way to repair it. 1864 shelter tent, the hole is about 4 inches by 8 inches tore long ways on 3 sides

 

[johan_steele]

Needle, thread and a little time.

 

[Frederick14Va]

Is it a closeable tear in the fabric... or a gapping hole with missing chunk of fabric.... ?

 

[bcashwell]

it's closeable.

 

[Michael W.]

Duck Tape. Not Really.........(Did they have duck tape in the 1860's?)

 

[1stMN]

Depending on how accurate you're wanting to remain to the period, there are some tent patch kits that could fit the bill...of course that wasn't an option in the ACW. Amazon has several options for those, though.

 

[bcashwell]

 

[Frederick14Va]

it's closeable.

Simple enough... can make use of a simple whip stitch, lock stitch or even what today we call a "baseball" stitch to secure the torn edges back together... it still may leak a bit there if caught in drenching rain... Could also close it with whip stich then put patch piece on underside and stitch them both together for added strength...

Have repaired a number of them over the years damaged by various sources.... One of my older A-tents a squirrel got into a shed and tore up a nice hole in it... looked like a cannon ball had gone through it...lol..... took a similar piece of drill and patched from inside...

 

[Phiip McBride]

I won't be a smart aleck and say you have two choices: Use a credit card for a new shelter half, or use needle and thread.

But in all seriousness, I recommend doing what I did with an expensive torn gum blanket. I did what a soldier on campaign would do. Without any sewing skills or experience, I used a big needle and some sort of heavy thread and stitched the tear closed. I still use the gum blanket either over me or under me at every reenactment I attend, and it now has a very authentic look to it.