Eight or nine years ago I used strapping tape on an uncoated ripstop portion of a tent that I was making. The line of force ran along the bias and I didn't want the fabric to stretch. I used 1" strapping tape and sewed a line of stitching along its center to keep it in place. This tent was a rough draft and I had no expectation that the tape would be a long lasting fix.

I've only used the tent a few times in the 8 years but I am still surprised to find the tape perfectly adhered to the fabric. Plus there is no gooing or messiness from the tape's adhesive. Go figure. I believe, by the way, that 6 yards of this tape weighs about 1 ounce.

Here are a couple of photos.

like reinforced packing tape for boxes?

Ziff,

Yes, like packing tape for boxes. It is usually clear with several lines of reinforcing threads running the long way. It isn't strong side to side, only lenthwise.

Here's an example:

TAPE

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