Hi all, we've got a camper trailer with zippered flyscreen doors which are starting to fray along the zipper.
When it was made the zip was sewed in with only one line of stitching either side, and now it is fraying back to the stitching.
We got advice that it could cost $1000.00 to fix due to the difficulty of removing the tent from the trailer and re attaching it (6 hrs). They need to remove it to get it into the sewing machine.
What about a hand held sewing machine? We had them for bag sewing on the harvester when I was young, so I imagine such a thing is available for upholstery.
Another option might be glue. One of our sons suggested a hot glue gun but we're not too sure about that. We dont want to end up with ugly mess.
Any ideas?
Geoff.

Would wire staples be too ugly? I have a hand-held stapler (Swingline, no other ID) I use for basting as I'm a lousy seamstress. You might need to re-squeeze with pliers if the zipper track interferes with the stapler anvil. With plenty of staples, from both sides if you like, should be stronger than stitching. And an accidental design "feature" if you space them regularly.

I think hand-held sewing machines make a cable stitch (only one spool of thread), and unravel if the right loop is released. Beneficial for bags of grain, not so good for your need.

Cheers,
Joe

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Hi Geoff,
Would it be possible to use some kind of Material over the Fraying, & glue down with Contact Adhesive, as it is a bit pliable.
Sorry, only guessing.

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Regards,
issatree.
Have Lathe, Wood Travel.

As one who does this as a very part time hobby, I think the best option will be to have it re sewn, you could save some dollars by removing and refiitting the tent yourself, with a couple of mates as Joe said the stitch that bag stichers use is not realy strong enough, it is designed to be easily pulled apart, the only other heavy duty hand held that I am aware of is used use in the geo textile industry, but I think that also is a chain stitch machine

G'day Joe, Issatree and China, thanks for your interest. Yes I see what you mean about the bag stitcher. The actual removal of the tent off the trailer would be a huge job to my way of thinking, with overlayed interior trim etc. It is the hard floor type that is the top when you're towing.
We might see if we can partially open it and pull the fly screen out and then close it loosely and see if we can get at it that way.
The material strip and contact glue idea might be the easiest and quickest way to go in the end.

Regards, Geoff.

Another labour intensive method is to hand sew it. Saddlers do it so the needles and thread is available. Just thought I would trow in something from the darkside
Pete
(part time darksider)

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Well thanks fxst. Not such a bad idea when you consider the labour intensity of removing the tent from the trailer.
And because we use one door more than the other do that one first and the other later. Just need to get swmbo to give me some tuition.
G.

Back in my F/X days, I sometimes had to rig something with fabric and we NEVER had enough time to think it through. We used a glue-like product called Fray-Check that was available in sewing/cloth stores.
I would not advise hot glue unless you can remelt and smear the stuff to get it to penetrate both the screen and the fabric. Plus, one mistake and the zipper will never work again. Seems to lose much of it's adhesion if/when it gets wet.

Hi RV, thanks for that advice, I'll see if I can find something like Fray- check in Perth. Maybe one of the camping stores might be the go.
Geoff.