[Paddlewise] Sewing neoprene

I'm a little curious about the "sewing" thread on neoprene (pun intended).  I
am in agreement with the post about learning to do a really good glued seam.
I have made several neoprene skirts under the advice of longtime paddling
buddies from Penn State Outing Club days, Dave Kurtz and John Sweet.  John
moved into supplying top quality boat-building and equipment-building
supplies, including an "industrial strength" neoprene glue.  My craftmanship
is not of the highest standard, but the skirts sure worked well.  If any of
you have a copy of Charlie Wallbridge's Boat Builder's Manual from way back
when, he has a nice couple of pages in it of how to GLUE a skirt together, no
sewing at all needed.





Wetsuits are certainly another animal, and lots of long seams.  I find it a
little hard to think of putting that many holes in the fabric, as in sewing
seams.  But I guess the pros do...  I haven't tried, but those who are curious
to try sewing, might find that putting tissue paper on the rubber side of the
neoprene fabric will help the machine feed the fabric better - in the absence
or presence of a Teflon foot.





I haven't tried sewing the new rubberized fleece.  Hey, it's going to be 80
degrees today here in Gulf Coast Texas.  Almost never have the need for that
kind of protection down here.





Green Pepper pattern folks have a pattern that looks like it would work well
as a basis for a wetsuit, but I haven't tried it.





I have no commercial affiliation with any of the above...





Natalie Wiest


Galveston TX





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