Help! I need to repair play equipment-vinyl

[mosky22]

I am relatively new at sewing but I have been learning fast. Well I agreed to attempt to repair some play equipment for a non profit children's discovery museum. At first I thought no problem, but then I started thinking about the material, vinyl, which I have never worked with. The damage is right along a seam at a corner, so I was thinking to patch it instead of trying to close the seam. Does anyone have any suggestions for repairing vinyl any links or product recommendations? Thanks

[Kari_mom]

I don't feel I can be too specific without knowing more, you know? But I would suggest patching on the top and the bottom for extra strength with a similar vinyl, perhaps even reinforcing the patches with something like canvas depending on what kind of vinyl it might be, some vinyl seems to tear more easily.

To sew vinyl on your sewing machine, I would suggest using a jean needle, polyester thread, and a teflon foot if you can find one that fits your machine. If not, layer tissue paper on top of the vinyl so that it can feed more easily, it will otherwise stick to the foot and make you pull your hair out.