reward yourself with a new sail if you can afford it
new mylar (the outer layers of the sail) tech has improved a lot since your old sail was made and they typically don't scale off in slivers anymore... they just rip at the stitches or the fibers give out and tear. you can then be patched with new material.. but it is just delaying the inevitable... (need for a new sail)
If you want to have a sail for a decade or so... go with dacron. they will stretch and "blow out" (stretch and not be as efficient) but they will last for up to 20 years (see all the legacy boats with colored sails)
if you want a lighter / faster sail.. go with a modern cloth (pentex, kevlar, technora, load path, etc), and modern cut - technically these still use a mylar film on the outside for UV and abrasion protection.. but as i said.. the mylar of yesterday is no longer utilized
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sailcloth