Has anyone ever sewn their own jerseys/shorts?

[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.

[dakay]

Don't have any pics right now. Will take some when I get a chance early next week. My favorite is a red long sleeve jersey made of polar fleece. I would like to make another out of wind pro polar fleece as it is the wind that makes me cold.

Kathy

[solobiker]

I know Irulan does a lot of sewing. She has made some great things. I make quilts. I don't have the perceptual skills for sewing clothing

[wannaduacentury]

I know Irulan does a lot of sewing. She has made some great things. I make quilts. I don't have the perceptual skills for sewing clothing

I just finished a quilt top as well. It's batiks, very cheerful patterns and colors. Haven't found the backing yet, still looking on what I want. jenn

[solobiker]

I just finished a quilt top as well. It's batiks, very cheerful patterns and colors. Haven't found the backing yet, still looking on what I want. jenn

I would love to see a picture of it.

[shootingstar]

She has made some great things. I make quilts. I don't have the perceptual skills for sewing clothing

While I've been good at sewing and knowing how mentally visualize and to integrate different colours and textures in 1 imaginary harmonious outfit made real in sewn creations, I'm not naturally good for interior design.

Ever since as a child I enjoyed and seem to have a natural skill affinity to do 2-D artwork, for painting, paper arts (papermaking, printmaking), calligraphy, etc., but not for sculpture, carving nor pottery. It's all reflected to the courses I've taken over the past few decades.

I suppose I could consider jewellery making, but haven't tried that yet but shape, composition and colour continuously fascinate me. ...which is also why I do like cycling over all other sports. To me, it's ever changing in visual senses/interest while cycling along.

I recall we cycled by a burnt forest after a forest fire or snowshoeing in winery country in the wintertime...the landscape reveals completely different shapes, shadows and colours that one doesn't see under coverage of green foliage, etc.

[shootingstar]

Looks excellent, dakay. Even the elastic hemline on jersey looks pro. (And obviously you like a elasticized hemline. I'm not as keen...)

someone made a comment about dealing with slippery fabrics. For sewing accurate seam lines, do some quick large hand-basting on the pattern pieces that you need to sew together. Of course after the machine-sewn line is done, you remove the hand-basting threads. Not a big deal.

[dakay]

Looks excellent, dakay. Even the elastic hemline on jersey looks pro. (And obviously you like a elasticized hemline. I'm not as keen...)

someone made a comment about dealing with slippery fabrics. For sewing accurate seam lines, do some quick large hand-basting on the pattern pieces that you need to sew together. Of course after the machine-sewn line is done, you remove the hand-basting threads. Not a big deal.

I removed the elastic from the one jersey I bought that had it as it kept riding up. The jerseys I made are not tight so the elastic is just enough to keep the hem fitted, but not enough to make it ride up. The advantage of being able to fit as you sew.

Dealing with slippery stretchy fabrics is where a serger really comes in handy.

Kathy

[sarahspins]

I know I am digging this up from the depths, but I just made myself a couple of pairs of wool tights using the Jalie Long John pattern (no pics, sorry!) and I think they are going to work out really well. I also bought the cycling jersey/shorts pattern and made my youngest a tiny jersey and shorts using the smallest size on the pattern (the Jalie patterns all go from size 2 toddler to adult XXXL)... it's pitifully cute. I haven't made either for myself since I don't have enough of the right fabrics (well, I'm debating making a wool jersey, but still unsure). I made these from dry-tek that I bought thinking it was a different fabric (I wanted the other drytek, this stuff is thicker than I wanted)... and it was just enough to squeak out a pair of shorts and a jersey (which is why the colors don't match from top to bottom).

Yes - they are 6 panel shorts (and no seams on the inner thigh)!


Jersey front


and back pockets (why he needs pockets, I don't know, but it adds to the cute!)


They fit really well but I haven't had a chance to get a picture of him wearing them.. I can see all kinds of options for this pattern... making the top without pockets as rashguard shirts for swimming, or just as a cute top for the kids made from regular cotton knit. It's a very easy to sew pattern too if you skip the zipper... it takes longer to cut out all the parts than to put it together.

I need to order fabric and figure out what I'm doing about the chamois before I attempt my own shorts

[Irulan]

From my outdoor sewing site:

Jersey gallery
http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/tips/pgallery.asp

make your own bike shorts
http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/tips/shorts.asp

Jersey making tips - really good method for doing zippers...
http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/tips/jerseys.asp

You are basically screwed regarding chamois. The only aftermarket chamois are of the foam diaper variety. Yuck. I've experimented with making them from layers of polarfleece/ultrasuede but it's just not the same as a nice high tech commerical pad.

[dakay]

[QUOTE=shootingstar;454411]Could you post a pic or 2 of your sewn cycling garments?

I took a couple of pictures of a few of my jerseys that I made. I believe I used a Jalie pattern for the blue/white short sleeve jersy and a raglan sleeve pattern I drafted with Wild Ginger PatternMaster software for the other two. Hope this works.

Kathy

[Medianox]

Those look really nice!! I think I'll invest in the Jalie pattern too (I ordered the green pepper one already).
You did a great job-thanks for sharing!