Black Is Back!

Well after too long now, we've finally managed to get our most popular black 65g ripstop nylon kite fabric back in stock.

We also now have fresh stock of those existing popular colours that were running low... our apologies go to all those who we couldn't fulfill the orders to their requirements - but we can now! :-) Since this was our first fabric shipment this year, we fully expected the prices to have gone up, but no... we got luck. Our great prices remain unchanged for this season!

For a full and up to date product inventory please see our website - www.ripstopshop.co.uk   

Recession - Repair over replace!

Since we're all feeling the crunch, I've come to the conclusion that it's time I start repairing my toys instead of just buying new ones. When money is tight, typically we (I) break things the most! Sods law eh!

Here at the RipstopShop we decided to broaden our range of repair tapes, and fabric choice...  the ripstop nylon repair tapes are now online, and the fabric will be with us very soon!

Let's make the most out of what we've got, and only buy the bits we need, rather than entire new things!

Ripstop Nylon

While cotton and silk are very popular fabrics for use in making clothes and other household products, there are some things that just need to be a little stronger and more durable. When making products that you need to be reliable and indestructible, you should consider using ripstop fabric. Ripstop fabric is lightweight, making it ideal for lots of different purposes, and it resists tearing and ripping.

Ripstop fabric is a very useful and versatile type of fabric. It is typically made out of nylon (and referred to as ripstop nylon fabric), although other materials can also be used to make the ripstop fabric. The main component of this type of material is nylon threads, however, the threads can be woven through any number of materials, such as cotton, silk, or polyester; it is the interlocking patterns sewn by the nylon thread that gives ripstop fabric its unique strength and properties. Even if the fabric gets a hole or small tear, the interlocking thread pattern makes it impossible for any damage to spread to the rest of the fabric.
              
Ripstop fabric comes in so many different varieties that the uses for it can be endless. The fabric is available in various weights, from lightweight enough to use for articles of clothing to heavy enough to use in a hot air balloon. It can be fireproof, waterproof, and water resistant. It also comes in many thicknesses, from thin as silk to protective enough to shield policemen as part of riot control uniforms.

One very common use for ripstop fabric is in the production of tents and sleeping bags. The fabric used to make these products is water resistant, making it perfect for use in the many different conditions presented by Mother Nature. It is used for making kites and parachutes, perfect for boat sails, and a great material for commodities such as suitcases and backpacks.

If you are looking for ripstop fabric, you shouldn’t need to look much further than here!

Ripstop Repair Tape

Ripstop Sail Tape (Roll) Kite Repair:

Instructions:
1. Clean area of kite to be repaired.

2. Lay out sail area to be repaired flat on a table and remove all wrinkles.

3. Match up sail using grid in fabric.

4. Round corners of the tape.

5. Place tape over cut. Do not pull or stretch the tape. Tape should go beyond the cut by at least 10mm

6. Match another piece of tape on opposite side of sail.

How To Cut Ripstop Nylon Sail Cloth

Most sources will tell you to use a hot knife for cutting, either a soldering iron with a filed point, or a specific hot knife.. while this does work, the build up of residue on the tip of the knife or iron gets VERY hot, and can cause an uneven, and unclean cut edge.

On the contrary to what you'll find elsewhere on the internet about cutting Ripstop Nylon with a knife not working, we know with years of experience that it in fact does work.

We recommend; and practise ourselves, using a craft knife with snap off blades for best results. It's a simple method, inexpensive, and reliable. Everything you want when working on a small or large scale.

Cut Ripstop Nylon on a very hard, flat surface, (we use a heavy duty glass sheet on a flat work top) making sure you change the blades on a regular basis.

We also recommend hemming all edges of the Ripstop Nylon with a sewing machine, this reinforces the edges, and reduces the risk of fraying and ageing.

What is Ripstop Nylon

Ripstop Nylon was originally developed as an inexpensive synthetic replacement for silk in the production of parachutes during the second World War, but has found a vast range of uses in our current modern day.

It is a light-weight nylon cloth with inter-woven ripstop reinforcement threads in a squared pattern. It is woven with coarse, strong warp and filling yarns spaced at intervals with the intention of stopping a rip from tearing any further, "Rip Stop".

It is produced in a range of weights and textures, waterproof, water resistant, fire resistant, zero porosity (will not allow air or water through), light, medium and heavy weight. Textures range from soft, silk like to crisp or stiff ones that feel crinkly to the touch. Ripstop nylon is often used in yachts for sails and spinnakers, hot air balloons, kites, parachutes, camping equipment such as lightweight tents and sleeping bags, flags, banners, old military uniforms and many other applications which require a strong lightweight fabric.

Ripstop reinforcement can be made by using simple webbings or dacron tape. These materials are perfect for stiffening edges, and for adding durability to a peice where frequent rubbing will occur.