Used Jumpsuit - Can I let it out?

[flyinghonu 0]

I just got a used jumpsuit and the thigh area is a little tight. The seller told me and I have confirmed that she took it in in that area. She did not cut the excess material so, technically, I could let it back out in that area. My question: Some of the stiching is on the nylon area. When I let it out, will it leave holes that may potentially tear?

"Excuse me while I kiss the sky..." - Jimi Hendrix

[mjosparky 4]

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I just got a used jumpsuit and the thigh area is a little tight. The seller told me and I have confirmed that she took it in in that area. She did not cut the excess material so, technically, I could let it back out in that area. My question: Some of the stiching is on the nylon area. When I let it out, will it leave holes that may potentially tear?

Sure it can be let out if it was once taken in. But remember, that of all the gear and equipment you will acquire for skydiving, a jumpsuit is the one thing that can affect you flying the most. Don't skimp on this item.

Sparky

My idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals

[darkwing 5]

Don't worry about the holes being a tear line. Go ahead and let if out if you need to. The holes would only represent a weakness if the threads in the fabric around the holes were broken. Proper sewing does not break the threads, it only pushes them aside.

-- Jeff
My Skydiving History

[Joellercoaster 6]

I have a related question on the taking-out point. I'm not jumping at the moment, and won't for the next two months. So I won't really know how much this matters until I jump the suit a fair bit. But:

I ordered a custom RW jumpsuit, with which I am very happy quality-wise. It's very comfortable to stand in, and a relaxed mantis is OK. But I am very tall, and very flexible, and the close-fitting suit doesn't have any give on the front surface. So I can't really max out my arch as much as I would like, especially in booties.

I watch video of RW people in booties and they aren't pointing their toes at all - I guess it doesn't matter because the front of the suit leg is making a good aerodynamic shape anyway. The flat-foot/pointed-toe thing is probably a nonissue.

The suit is deliberately fast-falling because of my snowflake configuration, but it just feels like I'll be getting cheated out of the top end what would otherwise be a pretty large range.

So, to the question: how hard is it to add arching room to a close-fitting RW suit? Assuming I jump a bit and actually want to, that is.

--
"I'll tell you how all skydivers are judged, . They are judged by the laws of physics." - kkeenan

"You jump out, pull the string and either live or die. What's there to be good at?

[riggerrob 643]

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Don't worry about the holes being a tear line. Go ahead and let if out if you need to. The holes would only represent a weakness if the threads in the fabric around the holes were broken. Proper sewing does not break the threads, it only pushes them aside.

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Proper sewing involves using ball point or universal (small ball point) needles on nylon fabric.
Chisel point needles are reserved for sewing leather.So as long as the last tailor/seamstress used a new ball point needle, no big deal letting the suit out.

[wmw999 2,587]

One thing you can do is to replace some of the front with spandex. I had a suit at one time that was all spandex on the front, and it was incredibly flexible (I really liked it). I'm thinking of replacing the knees on my JFTC suit with spandex for the same reason.

Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[masterrig 1]

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I just got a used jumpsuit and the thigh area is a little tight. The seller told me and I have confirmed that she took it in in that area. She did not cut the excess material so, technically, I could let it back out in that area. My question: Some of the stiching is on the nylon area. When I let it out, will it leave holes that may potentially tear?

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I think you'll find, those holes will tend to 'heal' themselves. after wearing and washing. Like riggerrob said, if, the proper needle was used in sewing the alteration.
Whenever I have to take-in a jumpsuit, I never cut-off the excess. People's body conformation changes.


Chuck

[mjosparky 4]

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I never cut-off the excess.

I always cut off the excess, its like putting them on a permanent diet!
Sparky

My idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals

[masterrig 1]

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I never cut-off the excess.

I always cut off the excess, its like putting them on a permanent diet!
Sparky

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Hell yeah! If, they wanna keep wearin' that jumpsuit!



Chuck

[flyinghonu 0]

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Don't worry about the holes being a tear line. Go ahead and let if out if you need to. The holes would only represent a weakness if the threads in the fabric around the holes were broken. Proper sewing does not break the threads, it only pushes them aside.

Well....to be honest, it REALLY looks like it was taken in by the previous owner (i.e. not the most professional looking job). That's why I posted the question. On one side, the fabric taken in is nice and neat and meshes in nicely to the original seam. But on the other side, the new seam is not along the original seam and is taken in on the nylon part instead of where the nylon and spandex meet .

When I get home I'll post some pics of the seams.

"Excuse me while I kiss the sky..." - Jimi Hendrix

[Nightingale 0]

I don't know if this will work on a skydiving jumpsuit; I'm not a jumpsuit maker or rigger, but I've used this trick for altering dance recital costumes, which are usually made out of cheap nylon and spandex. If I had to let out a seam and noticed that the seam had damaged the fabric, I'd get some matching ribbon or binding tape and stitch it properly over the seam line damage. That way, the damaged portion of the fabric can't expand or have stress put on it, because the stress will go on the new seams on the edges of the ribbon. You can use the same color ribbon to hide the repair, or a different colored ribbon for contrast.

Like the other posters said, though, if it was sewn with the proper needle for the job, you shouldn't have a problem. If you can't tell, get a magnifying glass and look at the holes left by the needle. you should be able to see whether the fabric is torn or if the fibers had just been pushed aside to let the thread through.