I'd look for any stretch-type pattern. The windsurfer suggestion was a good one; you could also look at aerobic exercising tights or downhill skiing stretch-pant patterns. Anything designed for stretchy fabric to closely fit the human shape. Also, check whether your fabric (and the intended pattern) are 2-way stretch (stretchy along 1 axis) or 4-way stretch (stretchy along 2-axes, but will stretch in any direction). Like Duane, I too have had problems with neoprene and home sewing machines. I tried to sew a neoprene vest to a nylon sprayskirt deck with minimal success. My mom just got a new industrial sewing machine that I think would have little problem with neoprene--I haven't tried it yet. My (yes, I own a sewing machine!) machine doesn't have any problems with coated fabrics like Ultrex or Goretex, so I doubt fuzzy rubber would be much different. Use a good sharp needle and non-cotton (polyester or nylon) thread. As for Arthur's sewing machine question: here in Montana, the home economics departments in the public schools sell their appliances every other year to make room for the new models. My machine (30-year-old Singer) and my mother's "light" machine (15-year-old Singer) are still Stitching strong lo after all these years. The Singers, while economical, and excellent for regular fabrics, do not seem to have the "oomph" to sew heavier nylon and polyester outdoor fabrics, especially in multiple layers. I have used Berninas and Husquvarnas in sewing classes, and both of those brands were super for thick stuff. The Berninas, especially, are great machines, but they're plenty expensive, especially at full retail price. Mom also picked up a 40- or 50-year old Sears Roebuck machine at a yard sale for $50. The thing is built like a tank, and can sew almost everything our big industrial machine can. This is not really a "heavy-duty" machine per se, they just made things heavier duty back then. Shawn Who has been sewing so long, he thought every guy grew up learning how to sew! Hal wrote: >I thought I'd poll the wisdom and experience of ya'll and see if anyone >has made use of any sewing plans and "fuzzy rubber" to put together your >own wet suites (farmer john, tops or bottoms, etc.). <<snip>> > Does anyone have any recommendations on which patterns are the >best? Or I should ask has anyone ever done it? -- Shawn W. Baker 0 46°53'N © 1999 ____©/______ 114°06'W ~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^\ ,/ /~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^ baker_at_montana.com 0 http://www.missoulaconcrete.com/shawn/ *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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