patching ripstop nylon?

Nothing special to working with it really. If it's a linear tear I'd suggest using some nylon or polyester heavier duty thread, and setting a wide zig-zag with a very short stitch length, i.e. as many SPI as your machine will allow and still move, if it's not stacking lots of stitches on top of itself, make a few passes.

Then if you want to be really sure about it, slather some SeamGrip all over the stitch work.

I've made a nylon tarp and hammock and repaired my pack once. I sealed the fabric edges with heat from a flame (don't let it catch on fire–easy to do! lol), and then sewed a patch of similar material which extended about an inch past the rip in all directions. Put a rolled hem on the edges of the patch, put in place with glue stick, sew close to edges of patch, then put a line of stitches about 1/4 inch on both sides of the rip. I'd do this patch on the outside so that the rip edges are hidden and don't grab onto things, causing a new rip eventually.

Edit: As Javan mentioned, use quality polyester thread, such as Gutterman. The edges of my rip were badly frayed, calling for fairly intensive patching work to actually replace lost material.

I repaired a collapsible canteen that was punctured in southern California and used that canteen for another six years before it sprung a leak again.

That is some good stuff. Unless you have a huge tear it will hold well and is flexible enough on small dabs to repair about anything.

Thanks, all — that's very helpful!

-Ben

for that type of tear is the tent repair tape at REI- no sewing necessary