Making freefly pants?

[Blink 0]

Has anyone here ever made their own freefly pants or even full jumpsuits? I'm looking to make some for myself and can't imagine it being too difficult. Any tips or tricks for sewing Nylon?

Thanks!

[kenneth21441 0]

Take it slow and easy. Nylon can get away if you let it. I usually reinforce the seams and make my jumpsuits loose so that they will last a little longer and makes for take up less...

Kenneth Potter
FAA Senior Parachute Rigger
Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA)
FFL Gunsmith

[vskydiver 0]

Yeah I didn't think it would be too difficult when I started making my new suit several years ago. It actually took me several hundreds of dollars and two years to come up with one that would work. (RW bootie suit) When I finally wore it on the DZ everyone wanted me to make theirs too. It became a snow ball rolling down hill really fast.

You might want to invest in an industrial sewing machine and use some "E" thread on your suit/pants. Regular thread just doesn't work to well in freefall for very long. Also the industrial machine will sew through the nylon/spandex/cordura/leather/binding tape better than the "Susie Homemaker" machines.

Good luck!

[racer42 0]

My wife made me some single layer freefly pants. She is an expert seamstress. It took her 12 hours to make them from a 80/20 cotton/poly blend.

I would suggest buying some basic pants. It will be cheaper and less time consuming in the end. And they will no doubt last much longer. My Tony freefly pants are about two years old now and still look good.

L.A.S.T. #24
Co-Founder Biscuit Brothers Freefly Team
Electric Toaster #3
Co-Founder Team Non Sequitor
Co-Founder Team Happy Sock

[riggerrob 558]

Start with taslenized nylon. It feels like 60/40 (polyester/cotton) or 80/20 cloth.

[Ronaldo 0]

I’m making my third free fly pants right now. I started copying one of my favorite cargo pants which I think was a good way to start, but now I’m using patterns that I drew according to my measurements. I haven’t tried with nylon, only with cotton so I can’t give you any tips on it. The basic sewing is not complicated but you need to plan ahead the sequence to sew each panel (I learned the hard way). Pay attention to seam allowance and clean-finishing (i.e turning the edges under and stitching).
If you use cotton, check if you have to pre-shrink the fabric (I have just washed my pants and can’t wear them anymore).
Here are a couple of pictures from my previous ff pant (the ones that I can’t wear anymore). I have to admit, my home made helmet turned out much better.
http://quattorcsi.dyndns.org/resende-20060826/68.html
http://quattorcsi.dyndns.org/resende-20060907/31.html

Engineering Law #5: The most vital dimension on any plan drawing stands the most chance of being omitted

[Blink 0]

Nice pictures! So, homemade pants, helmet, what about your main, did you sew that aswell? :P

Cotton falls pretty slowly doesn't it? I'm not very big so I like to have a fast suit.

[Ronaldo 0]

Thanks, I may try that also
I don’t think cotton X nylon would make a huge difference for pants, especially if you don’t make them too baggy.
BTW, don’t forget to sweep the floor and clean the mess once you’ve done (this is the worst part)
Safe skies!

Ronaldo

Engineering Law #5: The most vital dimension on any plan drawing stands the most chance of being omitted

[hjumper33 0]

just get some 80s stonewashed jeans with the elastic strap at the bottom, that will work great!

[skybytch 259]

If you want the seams to last awhile use a strong thread. Overlock the seams (also known as "serging"), then bind them.

Do a search on making suits in this forum for a bunch of other tips.