How to sew neoprene

[Mermaid Catkid]

I was going to sew my neoprene tail with a zig zag stitch and was wondering how it would turn out. How could you sew both sides (it being a tube) and not go through the other sise?

[Moongazer]

I'm not quite sure what you are asking hun. Can you post a picture or a drawing?

[MermaidRaegan]

If you're asking if it's possible to sew two pieces of neoprene together without piercing completely through both sheets, I would say it isn't. The stitches would just tear themselves out of the rubber once you put any stress on them.

If that's not what you're asking, then what Moongazer said.


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[Mermaid Catkid]

hmm, so the stitch im using is a zigzag stitch, which means the edges of the neoprene are stuck together instead of the sides. once i sew up one side of my tail, how do i sew through the other side since it'll form a tube? is there some magic way to do this, or am i just dumb and not getting it?

[Merman Storm]

Oh, you are trying to do a butt seam. Even if you do that by sewing, you may be disappointed by the result. When you stretch the material, you will get alot of little gaps between each stitch. Usually butt seams with Neoprene are done with neoprene glue (which is really strong).

Most neoprene tails are made like cloth tails: Two sheets of material are laid down, one on top of the other, and you sew around the perimeter with a zigzag stitch. (Or better yet, a serger).

But, if you want to try it, do a few inches on one seam, tie it off, do a few inches on the other seam, tie it off, and so on, working your way up the tube.

[Mermaid Catkid]

Oh. makes sense.

[MermaidRaegan]

Do you have to use those two stitches on neoprene? I know they are the suggested stitches for stretchy fabrics, but I have used others. Just curious.
Will using a different stitch affect the fabric or the durability of the tail?

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[Triton-Mahtlinnie]

If you use a stitch that doesn't stretch, you run the risk of snapping your thread when the fabric stretches and the thread does not. Depends on the amount of stress you're putting on the seam.

[Imogen Finnly]

When i made my neoprene tail, i seamed it with e6000. Which is tricky, cause you have to make sure the sizing is correct. I did a mock up with basic thread, tried it on, then glued the seams before pulling the mock ups out. The seams along the side are pretty obvious, but it was just a bang around tester.

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[Mermaid Catkid]

So I went to get it sewed up. The lady said the machine couldn't go through the fabric for a zigzag stitch, so she used a straight stitch instead. Problem is, for a zigzag stitch, there is no seam allowance needed. The tail is now sewed up, the seam is on the right side of the tail, there is an ugly ridge all the way down the tail, and my monofin can't fit. This is NOT what I spent my own money and years of planning for! CAN I FIX THIS?!

[Ilyena]

There shouldn't have been any difference between using a zig at or straight stitch. If one worlds the other should too. Pictures?

[PearlieMae]

Not true. A zigzag stitch stretches laterally, meaning that if you put stress on the seam lengthwise, the stitching will stretch a bit. A straight stitch does not give at all. A straight stitch will break and the seam will fail.

A shoe repair place, or someplace that repairs leather are your best bets. Contact a local diving school and see who they recommend. The person that went ahead and did the straight stitching doesn't sound like they knew what they were doing and sewed it anyway.

[Mermaid Catkid]

37733

[Mermaid Catkid]

it sticks out about a half inch on both sides:(

[Merman Storm]

The lack of stretch is your issue. The "sticks out about a half inch" issue is solved by turning the tail inside out. Cut all the stitches, and find someone who can do it right.

[Ilyena]

Did you precut this for her to sew? If so then it could be unpicked and 're stitched. Since there is the edge bit where she didn't stitch. It should be fine to 're do with someone who knows what they're doing.

[Princess Pearl]

I picked apart a wet suit last year- haven't had the space to put it back together yet. Oops.

HOWEVER! The way it was assembled was by actually butting the edges of the two pieces of neoprene up against each other. The edges are then glued in place and a seam binding is sewn over top. According to the nice lady at the dive shop where I bought my neoprene cement, the cement should actually be enough.

[Mermaid Catkid]

Fortunately, the lady said that she could undo the stitching and refund me my money. The only way I could get it sewed is if I learned to sew myself or if I glued it, but I'm not sure if my grandma's machine could handle it or of glue could be enough. *sigh* I'm just not sure at this point, and it needs to be done by next Saturday.

[Ilyena]

How thick is the neoprene? Then again if it went through her machine it should go through your grandma's. Just use a strong thread and a few inches at a time before switching to the other side

[MermaidRaegan]

Could you hand sew it? Or perhaps know someone who can? I have hand stitched all of my neoprene tails, usually with a blanket stitch (hence why I asked about stitches. It's the one I saw on wetsuits, so I figured it was the way to go.) The rubber can be tough, but a sturdy needle and some patience will get the job done.


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[Moongazer]

It's really not as hard as you are making it out to be. Trust me. Sewing may seem scary at first but it's just thread and fabric. You can always pick out the thread and try again.

As for your grandma's sewing machine, try a bit down by the edge of the tail and see if it can sew through that, slowly. If it can you're golden. Most fabric machines can sew through 3-4mm of fabric. Fake fur (faux fur) is the worst, it's thick and the fur gets everywhere but almost every machine can handle it. If it really comes down to it, watch some youtube videos on hand sewing a seam and go from there. You have a week, you can do it!

[Mermaid Catkid]

Ok, i think I might glue it first since it needs to be done with time allotted to paint it too. Then, afterwards,I'll sew it up with my grandma's machine. Hand stitching is a last resort, I've read the horror stories on here;). Has anyone triede regular Goop for neoprene? It says "waterproof", "permanent bond", and "extrme flex" on the label. It also lists fabric as one of the materials its compatable with. However, it says not to use with polystyrene, polyethlene, and polypropylene.