Wetsuit Pattern and Sewing Neoprene

HC

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Aug 29, 2004, 1:30:08 AM8/29/04

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G'day

With the wealth of sewing knowledge in this group I'm wondering if
anyone has any tips on making a wetsuit? Which pattern you would
recommend? etc......I know the seams are glued, taped on the inside and
stitched on the outside and it would need to be a stretch stitch,
possibly using a ballpoint needle and strong poly thread? A flap behind
the zip would be needed, then a velcro tab over the zipper end.

I've just found a supply of Neoprene but it's a skintone colour...yuck!!
this would appear as though I was swimming nude, so I want to add some
colour panels but need to find some different colours, does anyone know
of a supplier? and price? I'd prefer a black or full colour suit than
skintone.

Has anyone tackled a wetsuit at all? Any other tips? I don't mind a
challenge and have sewn anything that can be made on a sewing
machine........except a wetsuit!!

Looking forward to any, and all suggestions......thanks in advance ;-))

Charlie

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Aug 29, 2004, 6:11:42 AM8/29/04

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I shortened the legs on my suit with just a zig zag stitch, normal needle
and good guterman thread, can't say much more than that though.

Charlie.

"HC" <IHat...@home.com> wrote in message
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Kathleen

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Aug 29, 2004, 7:08:49 AM8/29/04

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http://owfinc.com/Hardware/Shardware/neoprene.asp
http://foamorder.com/neoprene.html

If it were me, considering all the work involved in making a wetsuit,
and considering the cool range of colors available, I'd want it to be
something that made me really happy to look at. Unless the flesh-toned
neo was *free* I wouldn't use it. Come to think of it, even if it was
free, I probably wouldn't. I'd use it up making custom knee braces or
something like that.

Which reminds me... If you're going to use it for a wetsuit, make sure
that what you've got is actually neoprene rather than SBR. SBR is
cheaper than neo and is used exclusively for dry applications - mouse
pads, medical braces, etc. The flesh color makes me suspicious that
what you may have found is SBR.

Kathleen Hansen
Z-Control Skid Boots
Leg armor for gonzo dogs!
http://webpages.charter.net/dhfm/ZControl.html

Joy Hardie

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Aug 29, 2004, 9:00:55 AM8/29/04

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Kathleen,
Those dog boots are great! What a great idea.
Your pooch is a cutie.
Joy (in Michigan)

pas

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Aug 29, 2004, 11:18:02 AM8/29/04

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HC wrote:
> G'day

>>
> Has anyone tackled a wetsuit at all? Any other tips? I don't mind a
> challenge and have sewn anything that can be made on a sewing
> machine........except a wetsuit!!
>
> Looking forward to any, and all suggestions......thanks in advance
> ;-))

LIttle bit on neoprene at my outdoors sewing tips page:
--
Tips for Making your own gear
http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/tips/tips.asp

If you are making a "wetskin" for warm water diving, out of 2-3mm neoprene,
using something like Maldens Aquashell, Kwiksew makes a pattern that's
perfect for it

If you want to make a real wetsuit, those typically have welded butted
seams, or they are sewn with a special industrial machine that is
specifically for seaming neoprene. With thicker neoprene, (3-8mm) you will
have to do a butted seam of some sort, as you really don't want to have to
wear it with those bulky seam allowances. Most home machines will not
handle thicker neoprene or the heavier thread you'd need to use to build it
well.

My advice is that if you are interested in making anything more substantial
than a wetskin, is to reconsider.

Penny S

--
Specialty Outdoors
Modification & Repair of Outdoor Gear & Clothing
Factory Authorized by The North Face
www.specialtyoutdoors.com/about/whatis.asp

Kathleen

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Aug 29, 2004, 11:34:21 AM8/29/04

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Joy Hardie wrote:
> Kathleen,
> Those dog boots are great! What a great idea.

Thanks. I've sold a few hundred pairs to individuals and clubs, but
just got an order from an animal therapy and rehab center in South
Carolina. They see a lot of flyball and agility injuries and want to
have the boots available both as therapy and to offer as prevention. I
am so stoked!
As a note to the OP, since mine is a dry application, I use the less
expensive Grade 1 neoprene, also known as SBR.
I am contemplating expanding my line to include lightweight knee
braces/wraps for humans. Again, nothing high tech, just an easy
alternative to the vetwrap that many people resort to. Flyball is
terribly hard on humans. On Sunday afternoon after a weekend of
tournament racing at least 30 percent of the handlers are limping for
one reason or another.

> Your pooch is a cutie.

Cute is as cute does. Right now he's one of five in the house - my two
BCs, and one JRT, plus my mom's BC and Aussie, who are being babysat
while she and my dad take a cruise to Alaska. Zane, the dog featured on
the website, keeps crawling onto my lap every time I sit down at the
computer. Given that he's a high-strung, rangy, hard-muscled 40 pounds,
the effect is much like being cuddled by a sack full of hammers. Still,
I'd probably find it endearing if I didn't know that it has far more to
do with denying the other dogs access to resources (petting and sweet
talk) than with any actual burning desire to sit on my lap.

Michael Daly

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Aug 29, 2004, 1:20:22 PM8/29/04

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On 29-Aug-2004, HC <IHat...@home.com> wrote:

> Has anyone tackled a wetsuit at all? Any other tips? I don't mind a
> challenge and have sewn anything that can be made on a sewing
> machine........except a wetsuit!!

Certainly, the advice you've received so far is good. I'll only add that
I know folks who make neoprene Tuiliq (Inuit-style paddling jacket/spray
deck combination) and do not sew them. They use Aquaseal or neoprene
cement (available at scuba shops) to glue them together (butted). You
can also glue a binding over the inside of the seam. Aquaseal is reputed
to be very strong in this application.

Those who do use a sewing machine use heavy duty or industrial ones
with a walking foot.

Mike

Joy Hardie

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Aug 29, 2004, 3:11:47 PM8/29/04

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Hello again,
I was curious the purpose for sewing your own wetsuit. Probably,
like many of us, it might be one of those things that has no
explaination other than the desire to make your own unique item.
But, wondering if you are doing it to get better style/fit or is it
one of those things that is simply much cheaper to do yourself?
I would think they are terribly difficult to fit.....because I was in
one in the spring and "man they fit like a glove!"
Joy (in Michigan)

Kay Lancaster

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Aug 29, 2004, 5:42:09 PM8/29/04

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> I am contemplating expanding my line to include lightweight knee
> braces/wraps for humans. Again, nothing high tech, just an easy
> alternative to the vetwrap that many people resort to. Flyball is

Check with the FDA if you're in the US. Human knee braces and wraps
may qualify as medical devices, and require certification. If your first
product is just being sold as "skid control boots for dogs", it probably
won't require a CVM certificate. BTW, tongue depressors are "medical devices",
so the definition is pretty broad, and the fines can be steep.
http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/devadvice/312.html

Kay

Siobhan McGrath

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Aug 29, 2004, 10:29:27 PM8/29/04

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I found this site,
http://www.americanhomeandhabitat.com/catagories/fabric.htm they have
neoprene in blue/black. Is $47.25 per yard a decent price??? or not!?

siobhan

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HC

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Aug 30, 2004, 12:14:25 AM8/30/04

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G'day Penny

Thanks heaps for the url, great information (and fabulous quilts too!)

I have looked at a Kwiksew pattern and just thought there might be
something better that I hadn't yet found. The Neoprene I found at a
local store is 5mm and I was thinking about butted seams as you
mentioned. Thanks for your suggestions......need to think about this
some more before I go ahead.

HC ;-))

Thanks

HC

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Aug 30, 2004, 12:16:25 AM8/30/04

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G'day Mike

Will look for some Aquaseal, but thought the seams would also need to be
stitched. I was planning on using a walking foot and strong poly
thread. Thanks for your suggestions. ;-))

HC ;-)

HC

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Aug 30, 2004, 9:13:00 AM8/30/04

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Karen Maslowski wrote:

> If you've never made a wetsuit before, your "nude" colored Neoprene
> would make an excellent muslin trial before your "real" wetsuit. Then,
> if it turns out well I'd think you could dye it some other color and
> just wear it.
>
> The whole idea of making a "muslin" is that you use a fabric as similar
> to the fabric being used in the finished garment as possible. You can't
> get any closer than using the actual fabric, but a different color.

This assumes that you've got access to an industrial-sized,
front-loading washing machine owned by someone with no objections to
having it used for dyeing.

Wetsuits are tremendously bulky for their size. Does that make sense?
By this I mean that they don't compress and soften when wet like other
garments. They need to be washed in cold water. And they float. This
presents unique challenges even in ordinary laundering (hence the need
for a front loader). The thought of attempting even a basic vat-dyeing
technique on something like that gives me the heebie-jeebies. I would
never recommend attempting to dye a wetsuit.

If somebody insisted on having a nude colored wetsuit, instead of trying
to add color panels or dyeing it, I'd probably run with the whole
"nekkid" theme. Add some panels or stitching simulating human
musculature. Maybe some anatomically correct detailing. Onlookers are
going to do a double-take anyhow, why not give them something to look at?

pas

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Aug 30, 2004, 11:05:47 AM8/30/04

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HC wrote:
> G'day Mike
>
> Will look for some Aquaseal, but thought the seams would also need to
> be stitched. I was planning on using a walking foot and strong poly
> thread. Thanks for your suggestions. ;-))
>
> HC ;-)
>
>

I can visualize butted seams and a wide zig zag, but how on earth would you
do the leg and arm seams? Even with a free arm it would still be like
wrestling an alligator. The only way I can see doing it is if you have a
post stand walking foot...?

peneny

Michael Daly

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Aug 30, 2004, 2:48:12 PM8/30/04

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On 30-Aug-2004, "pas" <pennys...@cetinvalid.com> wrote:

> I can visualize butted seams and a wide zig zag, but how on earth would you
> do the leg and arm seams? Even with a free arm it would still be like
> wrestling an alligator. The only way I can see doing it is if you have a
> post stand walking foot...?

For a tuiliq, the sleeves are quite generous so they probably bunch up
some. The guy that sews them is 6'5" so... These guys also make
spray skirts for kayaks and there's less problem sewing that, but most
of them just use glue.

A wetsuit has to be snug, so the sleeve would be _really_ hard to sew.
I guess that's why gluing is so popular with those who make them at
home.

Aquaseal is supposedly stronger than the neoprene and neoprene glue is
at least as strong, so stitching is redundant. I don't know why
commmercial outfits use special machines to sew them if glue is strong.
It may just be customer expectation.

Mike

pas

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Aug 30, 2004, 3:04:29 PM8/30/04

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Aqua is really great stuff. with a multitude of uses. I suspect the sewing
is a cost/ appearance thing... it certainly looks better than a butted glued
seam!!

penny

gabrielle

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Aug 30, 2004, 7:07:01 PM8/30/04

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On Mon, 30 Aug 2004 12:04:29 -0700, pas wrote:

> Michael Daly wrote:
>> Aquaseal is supposedly stronger than the neoprene and neoprene glue is
>> at least as strong, so stitching is redundant. I don't know why
>> commmercial outfits use special machines to sew them if glue is
>> strong. It may just be customer expectation.
>>
>> Mike
>
> Aqua is really great stuff. with a multitude of uses. I suspect the sewing
> is a cost/ appearance thing... it certainly looks better than a butted glued
> seam!!
>
> penny

The cheaper wetsuits that I've seen were only glued, and it did look
hideous. The glue may be stronger than the seam, but I definitely have a
psychological need to see some thread there. Esp if I'm pulling it on and
off like a banana peel. (remind me sometime to tell y'all about the time
I got stuck in a wetsuit.)

gabrielle

Dora Smith

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Aug 30, 2004, 9:49:59 PM8/30/04

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Anyone know how to FIND neoprene?

I was looking for it to make my sacroiliac brace.

Dora

--

Yours,
Dora Smith
Austin, Texas
vill...@austin.rr.com

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HC

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Aug 30, 2004, 11:11:22 PM8/30/04

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G'day Kathleen

When I can stop laughing I must admit it's a great idea!! Maybe I could
be a 36-22-36??? While dyeing a completed suit sounds like a horrendous
job, maybe the fabric could be dyed before being pieced together. I've
dyed lots of stuff in my washing machine and wouldn't hesitate to do it
again.....just do a final rinse with a fairly strong bleach mix to
remove any traces from the washing machine. You've just given me a great
idea though....I might see if I can find someone who could paint/print a
design on the skin-coloured Neoprene. Well it would be original if
nothing else????

Thanks for all the good ideas. HC ;-)

pas

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Aug 31, 2004, 12:33:34 AM8/31/04

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Dora Smith wrote:
> Anyone know how to FIND neoprene?
>
> I was looking for it to make my sacroiliac brace.
>
> Dora
>
>

www.owfinc.com

Michael Daly

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Aug 31, 2004, 1:34:33 AM8/31/04

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On 30-Aug-2004, Kathleen <khhfm...@thischarter.net> wrote:

> I'd probably run with the whole
> "nekkid" theme.

I bet you could find someone who'd want a wetsuit that looked
like just a two-piece from a distance. Bare midrift is a fashion
thing, isn't it? Besides, you could paint on some scary tattoos
as well.

Mike

HC

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Aug 31, 2004, 1:45:41 AM8/31/04

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The mind boggles !!!! ;-)))

Pogonip

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Sep 1, 2004, 5:30:11 AM9/1/04

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Kathleen wrote:
>
> If somebody insisted on having a nude colored wetsuit, instead of trying
> to add color panels or dyeing it, I'd probably run with the whole
> "nekkid" theme. Add some panels or stitching simulating human
> musculature. Maybe some anatomically correct detailing. Onlookers are
> going to do a double-take anyhow, why not give them something to look at?
>
>

You could always sell it to a movie stunt-double.
--

Joanne @ stitches @ singerlady.reno.nv.us
http://bernardschopen.tripod.com/
Life is about the journey, not about the destination.

HC

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Sep 2, 2004, 1:21:35 AM9/2/04

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You are so creative !!!!!!!!!!!! ;-)))

webbta...@gmail.com

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Sep 17, 2015, 3:28:59 PM9/17/15

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Falling off my chair laughing!!! You 'Reply to' a thread that is
11+ years old, then reply *to yourself* with the same text eleven
more times (also know as spam).

Congratulations, you win.

P.S.. Your keyboard is in urgent need of repair, the space bar is
not working, and the "period" key is throwing in extraneous
punctuation. If you were not posting from an Internet Protocol
address assigned to T-Mobile USA Inc., I would be willing to bet you
were posting from the subcontinent.

bett...@earthlink.net

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Jun 24, 2017, 1:47:52 PM6/24/17

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I bought some here: https://www.moodfabrics.com/fashion-fabrics/other-fabrics/neoprene?dir=desc&order=price&p=5
Half the price of the other site listed, too. Make sure you're getting the kind made for wetsuits, as they also carry fashio neoprene made for dresses.

Bobbie Sews More

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Jun 25, 2017, 5:51:43 PM6/25/17

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wrote in message
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**********
Uh, you are responding to a message that was reported a long, long time ago!
Barbara in SC