Making sleeping bags or quilts

Guide: Repairing sleeping bags & quilts at home (easy and durable)


A tear in a sleeping bag or quilt can feel like a disaster, but in most cases it can be repaired both neatly and durably at home. And contrary to popular belief, you rarely need to sew if it's just a hole or a tear in the outer fabric. The most durable and easiest way is often to do what you do when mending tents:

• reinforce with a durable tape
• or gluing a piece of fabric over the damaged area.

Start by checking where the damage is and how big it is. If it's a small tear or hole in the fabric, cleaning the area thoroughly and making sure it's completely dry before repairing will often go a long way. Once the surface is clean, you can use Gear Aid Tenacious Tape Transparent, which is a durable repair tape that adheres well to many common synthetic fabrics. Cut a piece to cover the damage with a good margin around it, round the corners if possible, and then press the tape firmly into place so that it sits tightly against the fabric. If you want to make an extra robust repair, you can reinforce from both sides if possible.

If the damage is more severe or if the fabric around the hole feels worn , it may be better to make a permanent reinforcement by gluing a piece of fabric as a patch. This involves cutting a piece of fabric slightly larger than the damage and attaching it with a suitable repair adhesive, just as you would when repairing a canvas. It provides a durable repair that will withstand a lot of use and help stop the tear from growing.

If, on the other hand, details have come loose, such as rubber bands, buttons, drawstrings or fasteners, a different type of repair is often needed. In some cases, you can do it yourself if you have the right small parts at home, but it can also be worth getting help from a tailor or contacting us if you want help with a neat and safe solution.

If you want to be able to fix your sleeping bag or quilt at home, it's a good idea to have some simple repair items ready. Tenacious Tape is one of the most useful products, but even scissors, a cleaning wipe and some repair glue can make a big difference. With the right stuff at home, you can greatly extend the life of your equipment and prevent a small damage from becoming a big problem.