How To Sew Ripstop Nylon Fabric: The Ultimate Guide

Ripstop nylon fabric is known for being extremely lightweight yet durable. With its signature grid pattern that gives it its trademark strength, ripstop nylon is the go-to choice for many outdoor gear and apparel projects. However, working with this unique material on a sewing machine can be intimidating for beginners.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know to successfully sew ripstop nylon fabric.

What is Ripstop Nylon Fabric?

Ripstop nylon is a tightly woven fabric made from nylon threads in a reinforced crosshatch pattern. During the weaving process, thicker threads are interwoven at regular intervals in a grid format which helps the fabric resist tearing and ripping.

The ripstop construction gives the fabric high tear strength and durability while maintaining a lightweight feel. Ripstop nylon is weatherproof, wind resistant, and abrasion resistant while remaining breathable.

You’ll commonly find ripstop nylon used for:

Outdoor gear like tents, tarps, sleeping bags
Apparel like jackets, pants, hats
Accessories like backpacks, duffel bags
Kites and parachutes
Upholstery and sailcloth

There are a few different varieties of ripstop nylon:

Plain ripstop – the standard type with no additional treatments
Water-resistant ripstop – has a durable water repellent (DWR) coating
Waterproof ripstop – coated with polyurethane or silicone
Flame retardant ripstop – treated to be fire resistant

What You’ll Need to Sew Ripstop Nylon

Sewing ripstop nylon fabric isn’t much different from sewing other lightweight or slippery fabrics. You can sew it successfully on any standard home sewing machine.

Here’s a checklist of must-have supplies:

Ripstop nylon fabric – Choose an appropriate weight for your project. Heavier weights are more durable.
Sharp fabric scissors or rotary cutter – Cut fabric smoothly without fraying edges.
Pins or weights – Hold pieces in place when cutting and sewing. Avoid pins that leave large holes.
Marking tools – Chalk, pens, etc that mark clearly on ripstop and remove easily.
Sharp sewing machine needles – Sizes 70/10 to 80/12 work best. Sharps or microtex style.
All-purpose thread – Polyester or nylon threads have enough strength. Match bobbin thread.
Walking foot (optional) – Helps feed slippery fabric smoothly. Check for puckering without it first.
Nonstick presser foot (optional) – Prevents coated ripstop from sticking while sewing.

Let’s look at how to prepare ripstop nylon fabric for sewing.

Pre-Sewing Preparation Tips

Washing

Pre-washing ripstop nylon isn’t necessary and could negatively affect water-repellent coatings. If you do wash, use mild soap in cool water and air dry or tumble dry on low.

Pressing

Avoid overly hot irons which may damage the fabric. Press using low heat through a cloth, or finger press seams.

Cutting

Use very sharp tools for clean cuts without fraying. Cut pieces a bit larger to account for slipping. Sew immediately after cutting.

Pinning

Pin only in seam allowances to avoid large holes. Clips, weights, or masking tape work too.

Marking

Test pens/chalk on scraps first. Water-soluble markers usually work well.

How to Sew Ripstop Nylon Fabric

Now let’s get to the fun part – time to start sewing! Follow these tips and techniques for smooth sailing as you sew with ripstop nylon fabric on your home machine.

1. Use the Correct Needle

Select a sharp needle in the 70/10 or 80/12 size range
Sharp points pierce the tightly woven grid better than ballpoints
Larger needles leave bigger holes and weaken seams

2. Thread with All-Purpose Polyester or Nylon

Avoid cotton thread – it lacks strength and durability
Match top and bobbin thread colors

3. Check Presser Foot Settings

Walking feet improve feeding of slippery fabrics
Nonstick feet prevent sticking of coated ripstop
Lower presser foot pressure slightly if needed

4. Mind Your Stitch Length

Keep length longer – around 8-12 stitches per inch
Shorter stitches perforate the fabric and causeearly wear

5. Go Slow and Guide the Fabric

Allow time for the dense weave to feed smoothly
Guide fabric under foot to prevent skewing

6. Consider Stay Stitching Curved Areas

Stay stitch 1/4” from edges to stabilize stretchy bias grain

7. Finish Seams for Added Strength

Serge or zigzag stitch seam allowances to prevent fraying
Topstitch for reinforcement

8. Create Durable Hems

Turn up hem twice to encase raw edges
Topstitch hems for a clean finish

9. Check for Puckering

Loosening top tension slightly can help ease rippling seams
Use a temporary stabilizer if fabric puckers excessively

Helpful Tips for Sewing Other Ripstop Projects

Outdoor Gear

When making functional outdoor gear, opt for heavyweight ripstop nylon with waterproof polyurethane coatings. This offers maximum strength and weather protection. Some tips:

Use heavy duty thread like Bonded Nylon
Seal seams with waterproof tape for added protection
Avoid pins, clips, or bulky seams that could allow moisture seepage

Apparel

For clothing items like jackets, look for midweight ripstop with durable water repellent (DWR) finishes. This will offer good wind and moisture resistance while maintaining breathability for comfort. Some tips:

Interface buttonholes and plackets as needed for stability
Clean finish internal seams using French seams or binding
Use washable fabric markers to transfer pattern markings

Upholstery

Ripstop nylon is a popular outdoor upholstery fabric for its durability, fade resistance, and easy cleaning. Some tips when sewing slipcovers, cushions, or other projects:

Use upholstery weight thread for added strength
Opt for heavyweight, coated ripstop nylon fabric
Interface waistbands and openings to maintain structure
Create closures using durable fasteners like hook & loop tape

Kites/Parachutes

Extremely lightweight ripstop nylon with silicone coatings is suitable for aerodynamic applications like kites and parachutes. Some tips:

Use extra fine nylon or polyester thread
Seal seams thoroughly for air permeability
Create reinforced ripstop nylon rope sleeves
Allow adequate seam allowances for load-bearing seams

Troubleshooting Sewing Issues with Ripstop Nylon

Working with ripstop nylon does take some practice. Here are solutions to some common sewing challenges you may encounter:

Problem: Fabric slips and shifts while cutting and sewing

Solution: Use pattern weights instead of pins to secure pieces. Hold fabric firmly when starting stitches to prevent it from getting pulled into the throat plate. Add tissue paper between fabric and presser foot if slipping continues.

Problem: Seams pucker

Solution: Slightly loosen top thread tension and presser foot pressure. Use a temporary stabilizer or tissue paper underneath if puckering persists.

Problem: Needle breaks

Solution: Ensure you are using the correct sharp needle size for the fabric weight. Check for burrs or damage on needle plate, throat plate, feed dogs or presser foot which could be snagging fabric. Replace needle at first sign of skipping stitches.

Problem: Thread breaks

Solution: Thread breaks often occur when stitch length is too short. Lengthen stitch length to 8-12 stitches per inch. Ensure needle size matches fabric weight. Hold thread tails when starting stitches.

Problem: Seam allowances fray badly

Solution: Finish seam allowances with zigzag stitching, serging, or binding before assembling garment.

Caring for Your Ripstop Nylon Projects

Wash in cool water with mild detergent
Air dry or tumble dry on low heat
Avoid exposure to high heat or direct sunlight
Use fabric sealants sparingly to maintain breathability
Store ripstop nylon garments and gear in a cool, dry place

With proper care, your ripstop nylon gear and apparel will last for seasons of adventures ahead!

FAQs: Sewing with Ripstop Nylon Fabric

Is ripstop nylon easy to sew?

Ripstop nylon does require some special handling compared to woven cottons or stable synthetics like twill. The open weave can be slippery and prone to fraying. With the right supplies and techniques, sewing ripstop nylon on a home machine is very achievable. Go slowly, use the proper needles, threads, and stitch settings, and you’ll get great results.

What needle should I use to sew ripstop nylon?

Sharp sewing machine needles work best for the tightly woven ripstop fabric. Sizes 70/10 or 80/12 are recommended. Avoid large, thick needles which could damage the fabric. Ballpoint needles may have trouble piercing the weave. Change needles frequently.

What thread is best for sewing ripstop nylon?

All-purpose polyester or nylon threads have the strength needed for ripstop fabric. Avoid cotton thread, which is prone to breaking. Match top and bobbin thread colors. For heavy outdoor use, specialized threads like Bonded Nylon may have even greater durability.

Does ripstop nylon fabric need to be hemmed?

Since ripstop nylon frays readily, hems or other means of encasing raw edges are highly recommended. Options include double fold hems, zigzag finishing, binding seams, or Serging seam allowances. Unfinished edges will continue to fray with washing and wear.

Can you sew ripstop nylon on a regular sewing machine?

Yes, ripstop nylon can absolutely be sewn successfully using a standard home sewing machine. Choose an appropriate sharp needle for the fabric weight, polyester or nylon thread, and either a walking foot or nonstick foot if possible. Adjust stitch length to 8-12 spi and sew at a slow, steady pace guiding the fabric. With a little practice, your machine can handle ripstop projects beautifully.

I hope this guide has given you all the tips, tricks, and how-to’s to confidently work with ripstop nylon fabric on your future sewing projects! Let me know if you have any other ripstop sewing questions in the comments.