How do you mend holes in lycra shorts?

[Tokie]

Hi! My husband has had 2 recent encounters with the pavement, really only injuring his expensive bib shorts with small holes. One hole stretches out to about 1/2 inch diameter when the shorts are on, but not in a part of anatomy one wants exposed! Anyone have a tip for mending lycra cycling shorts? Thanks!

[Shimpie]

I've used clear nail polish for tiny holes in pantyhose and other stretchy fabrics. However I think a 0.5" diameter hole would be too big. Besides, the irritation from scratchy dried nail polish would drive me nuts.

You could try an iron-on patch.

-Shimpie

[KnottedYet]

I'd be worried that the hot iron would melt the shorts!!

I've never heard of anyone successfully mending a large hole in lycra. Maybe contact the manufacturer and see what they suggest?

[Kano]

When I got holes in a brand new pair last summer -- danged velcro! -- I dug some nice, heavy, black lycra stuff out of my resource center (stash) and cut a couple of squares larger than each hole. I used a triple step zig zag to stitch around each side of the square. 800 or so miles later, it's holding up well!

Karen in Boise

[Tokie]

Ah-ha! I never thought to keep around old shorts to serve as skin grafts for my new ones! Sounds like it should work pretty well! My husband's hole-y bibs thank you! , Tokie

[Kano]

Just in case you're wondering, I put the patches on the outside, just in case they would have been irritating on the edges!

Karen iin Boise

[RoadRaven]

We recently purchased a second hand TT suit for my 16 year old. It arrived in shabby condition, not as the vendor had described it (TradeMe).

The elastic needed restitching (leg-holes) and there was a tiny hole (about the size of a pea) where it must have been caught on something on one but cheek.

I just hand stitched it together with tiny stitches. He wore it in a TT two days later and it was fine.