How to Sew Coated Polypropylene Fabric Without Breaking a Household Sewing Machine

It's possible to sew coated polypropylene on a regular-duty sewing machine, though I don't recommend doing it frequently because it is hard on the machine.

1. No pins: Don't try to use sewing pins. Pins just poke holes in the coating layer and increase the chance your sewing machine needle will hit a pin and break while you're sewing poly-pro.
2. Think big: Use a big sewing machine needle, such as a denim needle. If you try to use a delicate needle, it's just going to break and could even damage your sewing machine.
3. Grab the tape: If you have too much trouble keeping poly-pro layers together, use heavy-duty packing tape and sew right through it. Just have some acetone (nail polish remover) or rubbing alcohol handy to clean the needle if you do this, because it gets sticky.
4. Flatten layers completely before sewing: Don't let the seams flap both ways because you will hit thick spots if you do, and will most likely break your needles.
5. Brace yourself: Sewing coated polypropylene on a regular duty sewing machine, hold on tight. Sewing this fabric is the seamstress's version of driving on ice. The coated material slides out of control quickly, especially when you run it through a regular sewing machine. You really need a walking foot sewing machine for this if you plan to make a habit of sewing polypropylene fabric.
6. No rubbing: Don't let your fingers slide along the cut edge of the poly-pro. Think triple-width paper cut if you do - well - you won't have to think it because that's what you'll have - and yeah, it hurts.

How to Patch a Polypropylene Awning

Polypro Awning photo credit: kevinrosseel from morguefile.com

Polypropylene is a durable material, but it can get holes in it. When it is an awning that has a hole, anything stored under that awning is going to get wet.

Also, exposure to wind and rain are going to turn a tiny hole into a big, frayed mess if you do not do something to stop it.

If you have any modern polypropylene feed sacks and a heavy duty sewing machine, you already have exactly what you need to patch a torn polypropylene awning.

How to Do It: Polypro Patches Made Easy

Before you start cutting and sewing polypropylene patches on your awning, clean the awning. This will help keep grime out of your sewing machine's inner workings.

1. Cut the patch from an old feed-sack, making it at least two inches larger than the hole, all the way around the hole. If possible, match the feedsack color to the awning's color.
2. Place the polypropylene patch over the hole. You do not need to fold the edges of the patch under to prevent fraying because feed-sacks are coated and the coating prevents fraying.
3. Sew all the way around the patch, 1/4-inch from the cut edge. This will be awkward if the awning is large, so be patient and carefully work the excess polypro out of the way to avoid sewing through the wrong layer of fabric.
4. Use a stick of tent-seam sealant to coat the exposed stitching. Tent seam sealant kind of looks like a tube of lip balm and is available in stores that sell camping supplies as well as online.

Patching a damaged awning will not make it last forever, but it will get you through a season or two before you have to invest in a new one.