Has anyone ever sewn their own jerseys/shorts?

[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.

[sarahspins]

What about the ones from aerotech designs? Or do they fall into the 'foam diaper' category.

[MomOnBike]

The best reason I know to make one's own cyclewear, -heck, clothing in general - is to get something that fits in a style that is pleasing. Even back when the dinosaurs roamed the earth & I was skinny, no commercial clothing quite fit right, and in one way or the other lacked in the style department. So I learned to sew.

I haven't made any shorts or jerseys yet, but when I do, they will have the features I find useful, will be in the strong colors I favor and will fit over my hips. I'll post the results.

[Irulan]

What about the ones from aerotech designs? Or do they fall into the 'foam diaper' category.

http://www.aerotechdesigns.com/bikeshorts.htm
Well, what do you know. I've been looking for something like this for years. "crotch pads"? Who writes their copy?

this is the only one I've ever seen before.
http://www.aerotechdesigns.com/cycli...s.htm#seamless
It is nasty, don't try it.

[sarahspins]

Haha.. well thanks I was thinking I'd either try the black pearl pad or the tri pad... I'm not honestly wanting a ton of padding, just some extra help with moisture transfer and air circulation (I get sweaty).

I don't know how or why I stumbled across that before... but I did, and it was before the thought of making my own shorts crossed my mind (and I do intend to make some.. I'd love some longer knicker/knee-length style shorts without spending the $$$ on several pairs).

Most of the fancier looking ones from Aerotech seem to be made by this company.. http://www.elasticinterface.com/ Poking through the site I easily spotted the chamois used in my Cannondale shorts (I am seriously 99% sure it's the same one, and I know from the site that Cannondale uses their pads) - it's IMO a pretty nice chamois pad.. hopefully some of the others that Aerotech offers aren't bad either.

[shootingstar]

Your latest sewing creation sarahspins, looks great! I know I would omit the elastic at the hem of jersey since it never seems to serve any purpose for me.

[moderncyclista]

I wish I could sew. Mine would look a nightmare if I tried this. Fun to see other's doing amazing work though.