Making Riding Gear?
- Thread starter MikeL
- Start date
FuriousFilipino
Active member
I've been curious as well. More specifically, I was curious about adding kevlar patches and armor pockets to existing street jackets and pants.
I've started evaluating what pieces of clothing that could easily be converted, and for the most part, very few jeans are constructed of 8 oz. denim or heavier. Only the nicer brands have double stitched outer seams as well (try pulling the legs apart and you'll easily see that most jeans just have single stitching on the outseam).
I think that jackets are going to be more difficult, but having been a mountain sport enthusiast, I have several ballistic nylon jackets that could be good candidates (double stitched seams, Schoeller fabric, ballistic nylon elbows and shoulders).
Sadly, I am rather unskilled with a sewing machine, so it will be a project for when the kids are off to college and I'm no longer swamped with other projects.
I've started evaluating what pieces of clothing that could easily be converted, and for the most part, very few jeans are constructed of 8 oz. denim or heavier. Only the nicer brands have double stitched outer seams as well (try pulling the legs apart and you'll easily see that most jeans just have single stitching on the outseam).
I think that jackets are going to be more difficult, but having been a mountain sport enthusiast, I have several ballistic nylon jackets that could be good candidates (double stitched seams, Schoeller fabric, ballistic nylon elbows and shoulders).
Sadly, I am rather unskilled with a sewing machine, so it will be a project for when the kids are off to college and I'm no longer swamped with other projects.
berth
Well-known member
Well, the first step is getting an understanding of pattern making.
You might get a crash course if you can buy some cheap, used, gear (in most any condition, really), and (carefully) disassemble it in to the component parts. This will give you an idea of the fundamental components, as well as perhaps thoughts on assembly.
You might get a crash course if you can buy some cheap, used, gear (in most any condition, really), and (carefully) disassemble it in to the component parts. This will give you an idea of the fundamental components, as well as perhaps thoughts on assembly.
motomania2007
TC/MSF/CMSP/ Instructor
I suggest aerostich protekt jeans or Duluth Trading firehose pants and ballroom jeans.
or generally find the pants you want made by someone that knows what they are doing.
There is a lot of technique to making the garment work beyond the materials that are used. Things like seam design and placement and how to sew the seams so they don't unravel and what thread to use so the seam doesn't fail in a fall and many other things.
Go talk to Helmet at Helimot to ask him about some of the points I mentioned above or about having him modify some gear.
or generally find the pants you want made by someone that knows what they are doing.
There is a lot of technique to making the garment work beyond the materials that are used. Things like seam design and placement and how to sew the seams so they don't unravel and what thread to use so the seam doesn't fail in a fall and many other things.
Go talk to Helmet at Helimot to ask him about some of the points I mentioned above or about having him modify some gear.