convertible top patch?

can anyone tell me how to patch a convertible top so that it won't leak
and will hold up under normal use? I could care less about cosmetics, I
just want to keep the water out of a car I'm restoring until I am
finished with it (I'd like to keep the new top in the box until I'm
done, as it's white and is probably incredibly easy to stain etc. and I
don't want to have to worry about overspray or grease spots) and am
thinking that duct tape probably isn't the most permanent repair Is
there some kind of adhesive I could use to glue pieces of canvas or
vinyl onto the ripped parts of the top that will hold up to the elements
for maybe a year or so?

thanks,

nate

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