General Cycling Discussion - A favorite jersey is now ripped. Can it be repaired?

A favorite lycra jersey somehow developed a rip about one inch long adjecent the left shoulder blade. It is slightly snug. I fear lycra can't be repaired by traditional thread and needle. I will hate to see the rip widen. A favorite jersey. Anyone know how to effectively repair lycra jerseys.

Adhesive tape, on the inside? superglue?

When my jerseys are ripe, I wash them. When they have a rip or torn seam I have my wife sew up a repair. Lycra can be repaired with the proper sewing. My wife, in additon to managing a bike shop does repair and custom sizing on bike clothes. (She also has made custom bags)

Lycra can be repaired with the proper sewing. My wife, in additon to managing a bike shop does repair and custom sizing on bike clothes. (She also has made custom bags)

Any hints? Tricks of the trade?

Use a knife to cut an equal length and shape wound to match it, claim it was a wicked crash on an awesome downhill section of your trail....:D

It happens to be one of my favorite pro kit jersey's of course. Older style 'Bonjour,' jersey. Doubt it is replacable. I'd hate to wear a Discovery jersey with Bonjour shorts. My original fear was lycra is too stretchy to sew shut, if not at a seam.

Take a look at this site :

http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com

She'll probably be able to help you.

A favorite jersey is now riped. Can they be repaired.


bleach?

Take it to a tailor and ask him or her. That is if you can find one.

My favorite jersey has a 3/4 length zipper. The remaining seam below the zipper started popping stitches. My sister in-law (family tailor) is fixing it for me.

The places to find tailors: near the garment districts. If you're near NYC or Los Angeles, its easy. Also near a Vietnamese community.

My wife repairs jerseys with her serger, provides an overlock stitch though I'm not sure how many threads she uses with jerseys. The overlock stitch used is best for stretchy elastic stuff, so probably 2 thread or 3 thread.

But, she is usually repairing burst seams, torn zippers etc, for just a rip, I dunno, goto the tailor as you probably don't have an overlock machine.

Any hints? Tricks of the trade?

One is to use masking tape rather than pins to hold the seams together. The stretchy fabric tends to pucker with pins, while the masking tape wild hold it flat and can be sewn thru and then torn off.

I would also suggest you use an embroidery hoop to stretch the fabric to the point where it would be when you wear it. When you sew up non-seam lycra rips, unless you use elastic thread, the repair thread will not suddenly stretch with the fabric, so you have to sew at the stretch point or the thread will either tear you a new hole (did I just say THAT??) or shred the lycra.

The jersey is such a favorite, Guess I will take it to a tailor for professional repair. The suggestions above will still be helpful though. Since now I have a better idea of what to ask of the tailor. As for now, I am not wearing my Bonjour jersey, for fear the rip will spread.