When a backpack has torn a hole, you have three options. You can sew the tear up, you can buy a new backpack, or you can keep using the backpack if the tear is not too bad. If it is, and buying a new backpack is not a viable option right now, sewing it up is your best bet. Sewing a backpack isn’t that different from sewing any other kind of clothing item, whether shirts, sweaters, pants, and so on. In fact, it can be easier to sew a backpack than to repair other types of fabric. The reason for this is that fabric threads can become loose more easily than backpack threads can. Even better, the time to sew up a tear can take mere minutes, depending on the size of the tear, of course. (If the tear is large, you might want to consider buying a new backpack anyway.)

Keep in mind that the technique you use depends on the size of the tear and how much the mend will show. Most backpacks are sewn at six to ten stitches per inch of fabric. Usually six to ten stitches is the standard to aim for because anything above ten stitches or below six begins to degrade the fabric’s strength. The fabric used for backpacks is called “denier”, although denier is a unit of measure rather than a true style of fabric. Denier is a unit of fineness of silk and artifical fibers like nylon, the most common fabric used in backpacks, which is equal to one gram per nine thousand meters of yarn. Here is an example: nine thousand meters of four hundred and fifty denier fabric would weigh four hundred and fifty grams. Denier is a way to measure the heaviness and the strength of fabric.

Another factor you should be aware of is the fabric’s tenacity. Tenacity is how long the fabric can resist additional tearing after the original tear has started.

For the basic technique for sewing a backpack, you’ll need:

Tools such as a steam iron and ironing board, sharp scissors, sewing needles in a variety of sizes, sewing machine, tailors’ chalk or pencil, and a  sponge.

Materials such as iron-on mending tape, thread in appropriate colors, patching materials, heavy brown paper, and tissue paper.

Don’t forget you’ll also need around fifteen minutes or more, depending on the severity of the tear. You can sew the backpack either by hand or by machine. Sewing it by machine may be too difficult on the device you have at home, so it’s better to sew it by hand.

Here are the steps:

1) Since most tears follow the grain of the fabric they will generally be straight or in a L-shape. If the fabric is medium-weight or heavier, use the iron-on mending tape. Cut a piece of tape about an inch longer and wider than the tear. Round off the corners.

2) Lay the backpack on the ironing board in such a way so that the tear faces wrong side up. Another way of putting this is to have the backpack inside out and on the board so that the tear on the inside faces up towards you. If it is too hard to lay the item out so that the edges of the tear stay together, get a temporary large patch made of fabric or heavy brown paper and lightly baste it to the side of the fabric opposite of where the mending tape will go. Take care that the basting threads are far enough away so that they will not be caught by the mending tape.

3) Put the mending tape on the tear, adhesive side down. Carefully position it; then use the tailor’s chalk or pencil to mark the tape at several points around the tear. This is to guide your iron leater on. Remove the mending tape briefly and heat the area to be mended up using the iron.

4) Replace the mending tape on the tear inside your markings. Following the directions on the mending tape package, iron it down completely. Make sure the tape is fully bonded to the fabric. Let the tape cool before moving the mended item. If you used a basted patch, remove the patch after the mended area has cooled.

That’s all there is to it. You should have a mended backpack ready for use. Be sure to take better care of it so the tear doesn’t open again. If it does, constantly re-mending it will wear down the fabric.

Backpacks, like everything else, aren’t invincible. They can be torn, ripped or even shredded with the proper force and equipment. When this happens, repairing it is easy (unless it was shredded, in which case you might want to think about buying a new leather backpack). Backpacks tend to get damaged in the same places: the zipper, the straps, or the corners of the backpack due to pressure from internal contents, such as books. Repairing damage like this is pretty easy. All it takes it suitable thread and a sturdy needle, since backpack fabric is thicker and tougher than other kinds of fabric. Backpacks can even be made from the ground up using old fabric such as old jeans, for example. But that is the subject of another post.

To sew up a tear or rip in a backpack it’s considered best to go with heavy duty nylon or polyester thread as this will support the thick fabric better. Another type of thread to use is thick string or even very thin rope if the damage is serious. Make sure your needle is built to handle both the thread and the fabric. A light needle with likely break under the strain (in which case you have another problem on your hands) and a too strong needle will not work due to the fact that the needle will not sew properly because of the thickness of the needle. Think about it, you do not need to use the equivalent of a miniature sword to repair a hole the size of a quarter.

The basic protocol to follow is not that different from regular sewing, except you probably should not use a machine to do it. Instead, do it by hand. You will get a better sense of repairing it that way and also learn some minor repair skills so you can repair other backpacks in the future. If you are fond of backpacking, this is a very valuable skill, especially if your backpack breaks when you are out on a trail and there is no chance of easily returning to your base camp. In mountainous terrain, your backpack is your best friend, and it’s ridiculous to presume that it will not break so it’s safe to leave your repair tools at home.

Safety cannot be ignored when you are a hiker or backpacker. Following proper safety constraints may alleviate you from the pain of ever having to repair a backpack in the first place. If not, simply sew the rip, tear, or hole using a piece of material similar to the material the backpack was made from. It’s the easiest and simplest way to repair a backpack.