making bike wear

[Kano]

I haven't sewn bike wear yet, and it's been a few years since I did the girls' dance stuff, but I'll take a stab at some suggestions since interest was expressed elsewhere in the forum!

Aside from the chamois, one of the key features of most bike pants is the very flat seams. A serger will flatlock for you, but if you don't have one of those, you can do a couple of things.

First choice would be to put the seams on the outside, then "flat fell" them like you see in jeans.

Second choice would be to overlap the pieces of fabric and stitch the seams with the fabric flat. I would do this twice, once at each raw edge of the fabrics.

I'd use a narrow zig zag for either of these methods -- the zig zag has the give needed to avoid popping those seams!

When it comes to the elastic -- stitching through elastic messes with its elasticity, so a longer stitch is probably a good idea!

Karen in Boise
(who wishes she knew where to find the 20% lycra fabric that they use in shorts!)

[Thistle]

Thanks for that. I have a pair of bike shorts that are losing some stitching. they have two lines of it round the waistband, one above (?) the elastic and one below (?) it. the one below is unravelling and i was going to try and fix it. I was going to sew (machine sew) through the elastic when it was stretched :confused: , but maybe this isnt a good idea? Any thoughts you might have would be welcomed. I'm reluctant to lose a pair of shorts i might be able to fix without too much trouble.

[SouthernBelle]

I am thinking about making winter gear such as arm, leg and shoe covers. Has anybody made those type things?

[dakay]

I am thinking about making winter gear such as arm, leg and shoe covers. Has anybody made those type things?

I bought some fabric for arm and leg warmers from Seattle Fabrics. It was pricey but I can make some for both me and my husband. Here is a link to the fabric I got. Haven't made them up yet.

http://www.seattlefabrics.com/fleece.html#Polartec®%20Power%20Shield

I have also purchased fabric and patterns for shorts from them. DK Sports has a nice pattern for shorts and Jalie has a pattern without an inseam. I just serged the seams on the shorts with wooly nylon but Karen's idea of serging on the outside and topstitching is a good one. I haven't mastered flatlocking yet.

Kathy in Seattle

[Lifesgreat]

I am thinking about making winter gear such as arm, leg and shoe covers. Has anybody made those type things?

My friend has made arm warmers by purchasing (new or from a thrift store) little girls leggings, cut off the legs and hemmed the newly unfinished edge. Leggings come in a variety of colors and prints.

[Thistle]

thanks Karen, i'll give it a go. I didnt think about using a longer stitch... sounds like a much better idea!