Scrim repair

[NolaTek]

Hey all,

Anyone know anything about scrim repair? I have a small hole that is about 2 1/2" in diameter. Any thoughts on repair aside from sending the whole thing back to a Rosebrand dealer for repair? I'm located in the New Orleans area, and would love a local solution, but am open to any at this point. hanks in advance.

[spiwak2005]

Don't know if this is the right answer but in a pinch I once cut a piece out of the offstage side and used that as a patch for the onstage hole. It worked because it was such a small hole. I'm wondering now if I didn't ruin the integrity of the curtain that way though.

[NolaTek]

Unfortunately the whole scrim is on stage for this particular production. I might give that a shot after the show closes. Was yours a standard sharkstooth scrim?

[spiwak2005]

Yes it was sharkstooth. I made sure our costumer sewed up the ends that I cut the patch from so it didn't just keep unraveling.

[Van]

I don't really know any resources in the New Orleans area, but if you can find a seamstress that does "Tatting" or lace making then she/he should be able to handle this repair. You can't simple "sew it up", it has to be re-woven. I'd kill somebodya if they intentionally cut a hole in my scrim, even on the offstage area....

[NolaTek]

Thanks, I'd much rather repair than move the hole (I'm sure the producer would agree!). I'll look for a seamstress or perhaps a clever costumer who is up to the task. As a side note: Do you think I would need to get the entire thing fire-proofed again?

[kicknargel]

There's an article in the Yale Tech Briefs with a technique that we've used. You should be able to acquire a little scrap of scrim from a local dealer, or maybe Rosebrand or somewhere. You mount the damaged area into an emroidery hoop, cut away any damaged, dangly parts, then cut a patch to fit the hole as perfectly as possible. You have to have the area you're working on lying flat and supported. You set the patch in place, then "weld" it in with little dots of Sobo glue (availble at hobby/fabric stores) around the perimeter. The result is not absolutely perfect, but it's the best method I've found.

I tried to re-weave once, but never got it as good as I wanted. I have heard that a real pro can do it.

Nick Kargel
www.youwantwhatproductions.com

[Van]

WOW ! Great Advice Nick.

Nola, Just the area that you repair.