Wetsuits, SUP Gear, and Dresses: Sewing with Neoprene

6/23/2014

Since I began Stand Up Paddling, my brain has been working over how to make a me sized, perfectly fitting wetsuit. I like the ones I can rent just fine. But how divine to have one that is mine all mine! Seussical enough for you?

Turns out, neoprene, the main ingredient in a quality wetsuit, is now a very popular sewing fabric. It helps things stand up, holds it's shape, and is perfect for costuming. Places like Mood are carrying it made with a thin exterior fabric made of wool, silk, poly and many other fabrics.

Early 2014, My friend Rae and I were talking over delicious drinks about neoprene. "What would you do with it?" Rae said. "Other than a wetsuit or something related to that, I'm not sure. And really, why would you want to wear neoprene?" Well, that was all before I was in Salt Lake City. Wandering around a cool outdoor mall in downtown with my friends, I glanced over at the J. Crew store in passing. My eyes caught, but my brain didn't quite register that they were showing neoprene fabrics for their main spring/summer line. It wasn't until we'd gotten to the end that I realized what I'd seen. "We have to go back. Do you mind?" So I popped over and took a picture knowing how fun it would be to share with you.

A J. Crew Window display I stumbled upon while in Salt Lake City showing Neoprene Surf Dress and Skirt. Love the print & contrast stitching.

You may also find neoprene or similar fabrics listed as "Scuba fabric" which is all the rage in Ready-To-Wear places like Ann Taylor Loft and J. Crew. Though, it is rare to find scuba fabric by the yard in a print that I would choose to wear.

It's fascinating to me that people would want to wear neoprene all day. Hello?! Isn't it hot? Don't you sweat? Me... well I like to be warm, that's the purpose of a wet suit, to keep you warm in cold, wet conditions. But for an office? For a hot summer day? Yeah, no thanks. I'm not convinced for fashion. Now, for a costume? I might give it up for a costume.

There are loads of wet suits on the market and many quality makers. I may end up buying a wetsuit to cover me in the interim; I love Crafty Surf's guidlines useful for online or local shops. Or, I may buy some neoprene and make up a tank and a pair of leggings just to see how that works out for doing SUP Yoga.

These images below all fall under creative commons licensing (Thank you Weebly!). To find out the sources, please click on the links at the very, very bottom of this page on my site. Weebly links directly back to the photo owner. SO COOL!

Mother/daughter/sisters or Couples matching? So fun. Normally I'd get weird about that, but these are subtle enough. Yes, I said that pink is subtle. That tell ya how much color I love to allow into my life?!

This happy older woman below in her wetsuit is just adorable. Yep. That's what I want to be all my days - out doing, being active, playing, healthy. Such an inspiration.

Let me share with you a little more of my research on the topic of Neoprene & Scuba fabrics. Below are great blog posts using neoprene. Some I'd consider making myself. Others, not so much. After bloggers I have a list of where to buy Neoprene in the US, Canada, and even one in Australia. I'm sure there are more. If you know of more, please share. After sources are tips & tricks for sewing with neoprene (critical when working with an unfamiliar fabric) and last, but far from least a few projects, sewing patterns you can try for yourself. I'm focusing totally on garments, but there is lots of room for using neoprene with accessories, costumes, and much more.