Suit Repair

Well, I've discovered exactly how long it takes me to remove and replace the leg hole elastics on a bathing suit. Three hours total, most of which was spent unpicking all the layers of stitching carefully enough not to make holes in the fabric. This was an experiment for me, in theory, it would have been much easier of course to just buy a new suit. But I wanted to see if I could do it or not. 

So many layers of stitching! This is a very well made bathing suit. I haven't worn it a lot, so it's not worn out (except for the failed elastic) or saggy and no seams coming apart.

This is just one leg hole's worth, that elastic is just totally kaput. Powdered and gross, and it smells So Strongly of chlorine.  I've rinsed this suit out in water every single time that I've worn it, but I guess I should do something else to neutralize the chlorine. I ought to know that from my surface design work of course, but I've tried to block out a lot of the bleach knowledge given the damage I did to myself using the stuff. Just like I don't carve pumpkins anymore. 

What a mess. I did all the unpicking of the second leg hole outside on the deck in the sun. Much easier to see, black thread on black fabric is getting tougher for me.  I pinned the layers of the lining fabric down as I unanchored it from the stitching.

It turned out great! Into the hot tub I go again. Now to research bromine/chlorine bathing suit wash recommendations.

Product Review: Bulky Seam Jumper

 

Trying out my new Bulky Seam Jumper tool on a clothing repair job. You know when older elastic waistbands just go *poof* *crackle* *crunch* and are no longer at all helpful at hiding up your favorite pajama bottoms? It's worth doing a little un-stitching and inserting some new elastic. It doesn't take very long, and you save a little money on buying new ones.

It goes right under your presser foot and behind your needle on the way up the hump.

And then you place it in front of your presser foot on the way down the bulky spot. This keeps the sewing surface much more level and so there are a whole lot less skipped stitches from making it through all those layers. That means you end up with an actual stitched seam instead of a section of not really held together fabric. So functional, right?

I didn't know if I really needed something like this, but it really works. This is a very useful and functional piece of plastic. I should not that it is two sided as well, so if your bulky seam is only a little bulky, you can just use the smaller sized side. 

Two more features: You can use it for holding a button for stitching on with your machine. And the little hole seen on the front can be used to hold your new sewing machine needle to insert it into place.

 For all that functionality I think it's a pretty good price.