Taking elastic out of jersey hem

[AnnieBikes]

I also am a 100% pear shaped person and absolutely hate elastic. I never even thought about taking it out when I first started riding. I just figured that my shape precluded ever having a nice jersey that didn't bunch up. Then I met a lady on one of my long trips who said she did it on all her shirts. I came home from that trip and had a marathon "remove the elastic" day, and then sewed them all back using a small zig zag stitch. The fabric does not fray so I was not concerned that I did not have a serger. Now the jerseys hang nicely and do not bunch up on my waist, above my large hips. Now I try to look at the bottom more closely when I buy a shirt and many of the nice sleeveless ones I own have no elastic and a slit on the sides...perfect!

A funny story here...this summer I was doing another tour with WomanTours http://www.womantours.com and they always give a nice jersey on their long trips. I wanted to be able to wear it so I had taken my own seam ripper with me, but the jerseys change so I did not take thread for matching it to resew the hem. Being a quilter, I tried to visit quilt shops on the route in the towns we stayed in. So, on one of our layover days, we were in Walla Walla, WA and it was the beginning of the month long trip. I took the jersey with the elastic removed to the local quilt shop and told them my sad story, and bought the right color thread, which they kindly put onto one of their demo machines and sewed it for me! They would not let me do it (I guess they were not sure I knew how to sew!!). Bingo, job done, and the jersey became wearable for the rest of the trip!!! My cycling buddies thought it was hilarious, but I got a shirt that fit and that I liked to wear after it was hemmed!! Do follow the advice of those above if you DON"T have a machine. You really need a zig zag or other stitch that will stretch a bit!

[Bike Chick]

Aren't those quilters great folks?!?

That's a great story and I can see our quilt shop doing the same thing. I have a sewing/embroidery business in my basement and am fortunate enough to have a nice serger and sewing machine. I am pear shaped as well and started ripping the elastic out of my jerseys the first year I started riding. Spandex is bad enough stretched over these hips without adding elastic to it too. My hubby thought I had lost my mind until we were on a charity ride and several women at a sag stop asked me where I found my jersey without elastic.

[kelownagirl]

I did eventually remove the elastic myself and just sewed it back up by hand. It isn't perfect but it looks ok. It was a time-consuming PITA to take out the elastic though because it was sewn in with a zig zag. I still haven't done the second jersey......

[shootingstar]

It does sound like enough work (I haven't done it 'cause don't need to. But I do know enough about sewing.)

But given the cost of some jerseys, it is worth it.
Right now, I'm annoyed I have short arms. Need to shorten my new fleecy jacket sleeves. It's very rare I have a purchased long-sleeved top that doesn't require alteration on sleeve length or rolling up sleeve wrist edges. Same for any pair of pants..even on petite sized. At least easier, unless either bottoms or tops have cuffs.

There are things about one's body that will never change regardless of weight, age later on.

[Bike Chick]

There are things about one's body that will never change regardless of weight, age later on.

So true! I've gained weight as I've aged but not arm/leg length The sleeves that were too long in a smaller size are really too long in a bigger size. Wish I could take those extra pounds and convert them to inches!

[sundial]

For those of you who removed the elastic from your jersey, did the hem of your jersey have a tendency to roll? Are there some fabrics that are worse than others? I am soooo tempted to rid the evil bottom hem elastic. Guess that's why I'm drawn to men's jerseys.

[SadieKate]

For those of you who removed the elastic from your jersey, did the hem of your jersey have a tendency to roll? Are there some fabrics that are worse than others? I am soooo tempted to rid the evil bottom hem elastic. Guess that's why I'm drawn to men's jerseys.

Not as long as it was re-hemmed at the same fold line so the depth of the hem remained the same.

[sundial]

Ok, thanks! I think I'll start un-hemming my jerseys.