Has anyone ever sewn their own jerseys/shorts?

[Medianox]

Might be the wrong place to ask but I was wondering.
After doing some research, I sent for a pattern for shorts and a jersey (can be long or short sleeved). I am fairly crafty and can sew but was curious if anyone here had ever done this.

[papaver]

euh no.

[spazzdog]

Good luck! The chamois in the shorts should be an interesting exercise...

Watch them thar' seams girlfriend!

spazz

[Medianox]

I don't know, maybe I just have too much time on my hands (yeah, right!) but I thought it would be interesting to try this. The same company that makes the pattern also carries the chamois/padding materials....but for the record, I'm gonna start with a jersey .
In the best case scenario, the stuff will be custom fitted and original at least!

[badgercat]

I'm interested to see how this goes! Keep us posted.

[grey]

I love to sew - and would have a blast making my own jerseys! Send me a link to that pattern!

[shootingstar]

Here's a link to patterns: http://thegreenpepper.com/adults.html
Or a distributor which sells patterns, plus fabric and notions as 1-stop: http://www.seattlefabrics.com/

No, have not sewn cycling clothing. But then I blame cycling passion for diverting me from sewing enthusiasm :P..which I enjoyed doing alot of before. I did sew turtlenecks, polo knit shirts, tailored pieces of clothing which were far more finicky in finish and sewing finesse than a cycling jersey.

Cycling jersey should not be that difficult. Most jersey designs have relatively simple pattern pieces to put together. There is no tailoring, tons of interim ironing for seams and stiffening interfacing material involved.

If one knows how to do a clean zipper sewn in or more advanced, an invisible zipper (found on some pant or skirt designs) is nice, but not critical. The fabric for jerseys doesn't stretch much compared to other poly-knits..as found for cycling shorts or tights.

[wannaduacentury]

Might be the wrong place to ask but I was wondering.
After doing some research, I sent for a pattern for shorts and a jersey (can be long or short sleeved). I am fairly crafty and can sew but was curious if anyone here had ever done this.

Not yet, but I would. I've sewn several clothing items this summer. Jenn

[Medianox]

I found the patterns at a site called the green pepper:
http://thegreenpepper.com/
Its on the adult pattern page...just "Women's Cycling Jersey" and "Oregon Racers" are the shorts.
I found a few sites for lycra and activewear fabrics too:
http://spandexworld.com/
http://www.fabric.com/apparel-fashio...it-fabric.aspx
Let me know if you also try to do this-with the right pattern and fabrics I think it would be a great project and totally do-able!
I'd love to customize the jersey (and shorts if I get the nerve to make those) and have a one of a kind outfit!

[alpinerabbit]

There was a lady called Mary on here some time, she did it. It's just that in the monetary sense it's probably not worth it...

[shootingstar]

There was a lady called Mary on here some time, she did it. It's just that in the monetary sense it's probably not worth it...

If one sewed more than 1 jersey same pattern style, it would probably work out to be under $23.00 per jersey (based on Seattle Fabric's discounted prices for their fabric) ..cost of pattern will go down if used more than once.

Of course, it doesn't include labour of oneself. but that's not really the point for those who are interested and enjoy creating something that doesn't disappear overnight from consumption.

If I used that logic..to constantly think of my own labour, I wouldn't have had a business-dressy wardrobe for over a decade..where my clothing fit me, with colours that I wanted and the compliments that I got because people could see how properly fitted clothing was if one knew how to adjust a pattern before cutting the fabric.

No different, from gardening...and then eating up all that hard work..in a few days.

[mthr3brghtys]

I've done it, actually the only jerseys I have are ones I've made. (That is until I finally break down and buy one of the TE jerseys this year, I love flourishes!)

I have the green pepper pattern, but found one I like better from a company called Jalie- you can find the pattern on the Seattle Fabric site - here's the URL. http://www.seattlefabrics.com/jalie_...ghts%20Pattern Cap sleeve, two pockets, side panels. Really pretty easy to do, the worst part is the slippery fabric issues - the zipper installation was different than I've ever done before, but went well. Also pretty easy to adapt the pattern if you want to make changes.

I made a pair last year, and will do it again this year - one for me and one for my the guy I ride with and he wears it as often as he wears the ones from his past teams so I suppose he can't tell the difference...

Finding the wicking fabric is always the challenge for me. I haven't tried ordering from Seattle Fabrics, but that's the plan for this years jerseys.

I haven't made shorts, although I have found that you can order just chamois on-line, I can't remember where right now but will see if I can find it.

Let me know what you come up with.

[Medianox]

If one sewed more than 1 jersey same pattern style, it would probably work out to be under $23.00 per jersey (based on Seattle Fabric's discounted prices for their fabric) ..cost of pattern will go down if used more than once.

Of course, it doesn't include labour of oneself. but that's not really the point for those who are interested and enjoy creating something that doesn't disappear overnight from consumption.

If I used that logic..to constantly think of my own labour, I wouldn't have had a business-dressy wardrobe for over a decade..where my clothing fit me, with colours that I wanted and the compliments that I got because people could see how properly fitted clothing was if one knew how to adjust a pattern before cutting the fabric.

No different, from gardening...and then eating up all that hard work..in a few days.

Yep.
Its more about the creative process for me (there is an artist lurking underneath my gainfully employed healthcare worker skin) than it is about saving money really. I love to make stuff-I knit, weave, make glass beads and jewelry, and do multimedia art projects like altered books and stuff. And I sometimes sew. LOL. I love biking but there isn't much that I can *make* related to it. I am working on a knitted woolen vest for the rainy season, but what I can make and use is limited....hence my interest in sewing the actual clothes I wear to ride.
If the fabric is found on sale then the savings is greater obviouslyand who doesn't love that, but the real attraction is having something original.

[dakay]

I have sewn my own shorts and jerseys. I have been very happy with the jerseys. The fit is great and I can do whatever I want with the style. They are long enough and the sleeves are a comfortable length. I usually add a zipper pocket for stashing my ID and some cash inside one of the back pockets. Wicking fabric isn't too hard to find, but I like colors that can be seen and those are hard to find.

As for the shorts. It's hard to find wicking fabric that has the stretch and weight that I would like. I have some from Seattle Fabrics that might fit the bill but I haven't tried it out yet. I have a chamois I purchased from Seattle Fabrics and that is no where near as comfortable as the ones in my purchased shorts. I have been wanting to try bibs but don't want to spend the money in case I don't like them. I've got a pattern and some fabric so I just need to get around to making them. The pattern has a piece for a chamois made out of polar fleece so I may give that a try.

Jerseys are easy to make if you are comfortable sewing with knits. A serger is a plus but not necessary. So go for it and have fun.

Kathy

[shootingstar]

I have sewn my own shorts and jerseys. I have been very happy with the jerseys. The fit is great and I can do whatever I want with the style. They are long enough and the sleeves are a comfortable length. I usually add a zipper pocket for stashing my ID and some cash inside one of the back pockets. Wicking fabric isn't too hard to find, but I like colors that can be seen and those are hard to find.

As for the shorts. It's hard to find wicking fabric that has the stretch and weight that I would like. I have some from Seattle Fabrics that might fit the bill but I haven't tried it out yet. I have a chamois I purchased from Seattle Fabrics and that is no where near as comfortable as the ones in my purchased shorts.
Kathy

Could you post a pic or 2 of your sewn cycling garments?

Medianox, I was feeling really guilty few wks. ago after hauling out my sewing machine and altering a pair of dress pants: I was underutilizing machine and my skills. (But then guilt feelings come up whenever I see my pile of art supplies and pile of canvasses of paintings. ) I used love looking, imagining possibilities and selecting fabrics, etc. I still have over 150 different sewing patterns...
For certain sewing allows use of much higher quality of fabric for much lower price and finished garment lasts longer/is often more durable because the seams are stronger.

You could even try a fun cycling applique design on the jersey back pocket(s). At least the stitching of design would not be against your skin to bother you when cycling/moving around.

Or even better, sew some skorts for short rides..if you can ride shorter distances without cycling chamois..which I can. Not all skorts are designed for lycra/stretchable fabric.

For certain having done alot of sewing in the past, makes me a fairly picky/demanding consumer when I buy clothing and price that I am willing to pay/not pay.