Any reasonable fabric store will sell a wide range of lightweight canvas and
heavy cotton that would do.  It's not expensive, and the standard width is
60" on canvas so it will be wide enough for what you need.  Except in the
VERY cheapest fabric stores, you can buy any quantity you want.  12" isn't
likely to cost more than a few dollars.  And it will probably be sturdier
than a scrap from someone else's otherwise-ripped poptop.

Make sure the part you sew it to is still quite sturdy, otherwise that will
rip where you attach the patch.

Joy (who knows a lot more about sewing than about van repair)

On Fri, Jan 2, 2009 at 9:12 AM, TJ Hannink <tjhannink@yahoo.com> wrote:

> The rear section of my canvas evidently got pinched under the weather seal
> and rotted, then tore. The rest of the canvas is in excellent condition.
> Anyone have a section of their old canvas they would be willing to part
> with?
>
> Thanks,
> Tim Hannink
> Des Allemands, LA
> 1987 Vanagon Camper, Wolfsburg Edition
>