Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Repair of drapes

Message

While talking to customers occasionally this topic comes up.  So I thought I'd share it here in case anyone is in a bind. 
If your velour drapes get ripped, what do you do?  I've seen duct tape--which makes me shutter; I've seen safety pins--which rip the curtains and rust into them;  I've seen whipstitching and basting-- which doesn't last.  Mostly I've seen people do something temporarily and then let them alone to have them degrade over the next few years.  They are throwing away the value of drapes that can be repaired.

If you have the budget to get them professionally repaired, then definately do so.  (Get them cleaned and retreated while you are at it) But if--like most people--you have no budget for repairs consider the following steps for velour...

First assess the condition of the drapes overall.  1.) If they fall apart in your hands or rip easily, they probably are dry rotted and have reached the end of their lifespan.  So look for new drapes. 2.) If they have a chunk out of them,  but are otherwise strong, then you need a patch.  Find an appropriately sized colored piece of similar velour and attach it as below.  3.) If you have a straight tear, without a chunk missing, you need to do something to prevent loss of the flocking and can repair it as below.

The tough thing with velour and velvet is that they are flocked fabrics.  So the weave holds short upright tufts that give these fabrics their luxurious look and sound absorbing properties.  Once ripped the flocking falls out easily. So the longer you go without a proper repair the worse the tear gets.

Step 1: With a correct color button thread, sew by hand zig-zaging across the cut.  You want the cut to have stitches 1/4" in from the cut because of step two.  If you are adding a patch, you want to continue this on all sides of the patch.
Step 2: With the same button thread sew a double ring around the cut catching each of the threads in Step 1.  This can be done with a sewing machine or by hand.  If the tear is too far into the curtain a sewing machine will be difficult. (Too much material to get into the sewing area).  If you are sewing a patch, you need a double ring inside the patch and a double ring outside the patch.
Step 3.: Use an iron-on patch to reinforce it from behind--'yes' like the denim knee patches--ironed on from behind.  For extra strength you can sew through the patch.  If you are repairing a missing chunk*, make sure your patch is bigger than the chunk which you are adding.
Step 4: Apply fray guard glue to the front surface of the original cut. Don't skip this step because it will hold the flocking in place.  If any flocking is still coming off, whip stitch it in place.

*Making the patch and cutting the replacement chunk can be tricky:  Lay the material flat on the ground if possible, then trace the missing piece on paper to make a pattern.  Cut your replacement chunk from this pattern.  I make the replacement just a tiny bit bigger than the pattern.

Done.  Your repair won't be perfect, but with care can be surprisingly invisible. You can sometimes do this by lowering the curtain in place if that gives you access to the damaged area.  If you remove the entire curtain, be prepared for the difficulty in rehanging a curtain that may weigh 175 pounds on each side. 

If you have any grommets torn out, repair them by making a similar repair as above around the grommet and fold the patch over the original grommet area (front and back).  Now punch the grommet hole and attach a new grommet.

If anyone is interested in how to repair scrims, just ask and I'll post it.

Anyone else have tips?

Author	Message
vickifrank Celebrity Joined: 9/21/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 332	Topic: Repair of drapes Posted: 7/12/12 at 7:41pm
	While talking to customers occasionally this topic comes up. So I thought I'd share it here in case anyone is in a bind. If your velour drapes get ripped, what do you do? I've seen duct tape--which makes me shutter; I've seen safety pins--which rip the curtains and rust into them; I've seen whipstitching and basting-- which doesn't last. Mostly I've seen people do something temporarily and then let them alone to have them degrade over the next few years. They are throwing away the value of drapes that can be repaired. If you have the budget to get them professionally repaired, then definately do so. (Get them cleaned and retreated while you are at it) But if--like most people--you have no budget for repairs consider the following steps for velour... First assess the condition of the drapes overall. 1.) If they fall apart in your hands or rip easily, they probably are dry rotted and have reached the end of their lifespan. So look for new drapes. 2.) If they have a chunk out of them, but are otherwise strong, then you need a patch. Find an appropriately sized colored piece of similar velour and attach it as below. 3.) If you have a straight tear, without a chunk missing, you need to do something to prevent loss of the flocking and can repair it as below. The tough thing with velour and velvet is that they are flocked fabrics. So the weave holds short upright tufts that give these fabrics their luxurious look and sound absorbing properties. Once ripped the flocking falls out easily. So the longer you go without a proper repair the worse the tear gets. Step 1: With a correct color button thread, sew by hand zig-zaging across the cut. You want the cut to have stitches 1/4" in from the cut because of step two. If you are adding a patch, you want to continue this on all sides of the patch. Step 2: With the same button thread sew a double ring around the cut catching each of the threads in Step 1. This can be done with a sewing machine or by hand. If the tear is too far into the curtain a sewing machine will be difficult. (Too much material to get into the sewing area). If you are sewing a patch, you need a double ring inside the patch and a double ring outside the patch. Step 3.: Use an iron-on patch to reinforce it from behind--'yes' like the denim knee patches--ironed on from behind. For extra strength you can sew through the patch. If you are repairing a missing chunk, make sure your patch is bigger than the chunk which you are adding. Step 4: Apply fray guard glue to the front surface of the original cut. Don't skip this step because it will hold the flocking in place. If any flocking is still coming off, whip stitch it in place. Making the patch and cutting the replacement chunk can be tricky: Lay the material flat on the ground if possible, then trace the missing piece on paper to make a pattern. Cut your replacement chunk from this pattern. I make the replacement just a tiny bit bigger than the pattern. Done. Your repair won't be perfect, but with care can be surprisingly invisible. You can sometimes do this by lowering the curtain in place if that gives you access to the damaged area. If you remove the entire curtain, be prepared for the difficulty in rehanging a curtain that may weigh 175 pounds on each side. If you have any grommets torn out, repair them by making a similar repair as above around the grommet and fold the patch over the original grommet area (front and back). Now punch the grommet hole and attach a new grommet. If anyone is interested in how to repair scrims, just ask and I'll post it. Anyone else have tips?
	_____________ http://www.studio-productions-inc.com 1-800-359-2964 The theater scrim people

	IP Logged

vickifrank Celebrity Joined: 9/21/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 332	Posted: 11/12/12 at 11:03am
	I'm adding to this post to answer "where do you get a matching velour for a small patch?"....Sometimes the pocket or vertical side of the drape (which also has a chain pocket) has extra material that can harvested for a small patch from inside that pocket. Also some seams have additional material that can be harvested. Be careful when cutting these to not get too close to a seam. Notice that many times there isn't a chunk missing, but an L shaped tear can look like there is missing material. Fold the tear flat and carefully look to see if significant material is missing. Also notice that the longer you let a rip go without repairing, the more flocking gets torn away and more damage there is.
	_____________ http://www.studio-productions-inc.com 1-800-359-2964 The theater scrim people
	IP Logged

Props, Scenery, Costumes and Makeup
Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :Producing Theater :Props, Scenery, Costumes and Makeup