ARMY TM 10-1670-279-23&P
AIR FORCE T.O. 13C5-27-2
NAVY NAVAIR 13-1-28
2-18. Repair - Sewing Procedures (cont).
(2)
Other parachute items. Stitching and restitching on other parachute items constructed from cloth, canvas,
and webbing should be accomplished with thread which matches the color of the original stitching, when possible. All
straight stitching should be locked by backstitching at least 112 Inch. Restitching should be locked by overstitching each
end of the stitch formation by 1/2 inch. Zig-zag stitching does not require locking; however, zig-zag restitching should
extend at least 114 inch into undamaged stitching at each end, when possible. Restitching should be made directly over
the original stitching, following the original stitch pattern as closely as possible:
c.
Darning. (Refer to tables 2-2 and 2-3). Darning is a sewing procedure used to repair limited size holes, rips, and
tears in assorted air delivery items constructed from textile material such as parachute canopy gore sections and the
cloth and reinforcement webbing of packs. A darning machine should be used to darn small holes and tears where fabric
is missing. Darning of previously patched material can be performed provided darning size limitations prescribed in the
paragraph applicable to the item are not exceeded. A darning repair will be performed using the following procedures:
(1)
Using an authorized marking aid of contrasting color, mark a square around the damaged area and ensure
that the marking is at least 1/4 inch back from each edge of the damaged area. The marking will be made
with the warp and the filling of the material.
(2)
Darn the damaged area by sewing the material in a back-and-forth manner, using size A or E nylon thread,
allowing the stitching to run with the warp or filling of the fabric(A, figure 2-32).
(3)
Turn the material and stitch back and forth across the stitching made in (b) above until the hole or tear is
completely darned (B, figure 2-32).
(4)
If applicable, restencil informational data, gore number(s), or identification marks using the criteria in
para. 2-20.
d.
Zig-Zag Sewing. (Refer to Tables 2-2 and 2-3). Air delivery items, except parachute canopies, made from textile
materials that have sustained cut or tear damage may be repaired by zig-zag sewing provided the applicable damaged
area does not have any material missing and the cut or tear is straight or L-shaped. Should the damaged area be
irregular shaped or have material missing, the repair will be achieved by either darning or patching, as required. A zig-
zag sewing repair will be accomplished with a zig-zag sewing machine, using the following procedures:
(1)
Set the sewing machine to the maximum stitch width.
(2)
Beginning at a point 1/4 inch beyond one end of the cut or tear, stitch lengthwise along the damaged area to
a point 1/4 inch beyond the opposite end of the cut or tear (A, figure 2-33). The cited stitching procedure will
also apply to an L-shaped cut or tear (B, figure 2-33).
(3)
If applicable, restencil informational data or identification marks as prescribed in para. 2-20.
2-54
