How to Make a Driving Suit

Driver's Suits are Essential Safety Gear

If you have a sewing machine, you can make your own custom designed driving suit. The most important thing to consider when learning how to make a driving suit is not what colors or patches you will attach to it, but what type of fire retardant material and protective padding you will use. A driving suit is more than a uniform; it is the last line or protection that a driver has in the event of an accident.

Things You'll Need

• Tpro Forcefield back protector
• Tpro Forcefield rib protector
• Fabric tape measure
• Pattern Master software
• 6 yds Proban or Nomex material
• Scissors
• Sewing pins
• Sewing machine
• Zipper

Instructions

1. Put on clothing you will wear underneath your driving suit. Then, put on the Tpro back and rib protector. Using the fabric tape, measure the following: your inseam, hips, waist, chest, shoulders, outside length of arms, and neck.

2. Start the Pattern Master software, select "New," then "Adult," "Men," and finally, scroll down and find "Jumpsuit." Input the measurements you just took, save the file, and print out your pattern.

3. Roll out your Nomex or Proban Material, making sure the material is certified as such, as these are the two brands of cotton treated with fire-retardant chemicals that are most respected on the market today. Pin your pattern, then follow the pattern directions to cut the fabric and begin to pin and sew the seams together. The last thing you should attach is the zipper.

4. Put on the Tpro Forcefield Back and Rib Protectors again and, now, put your driver's suit over them. When you have the protectors adjusted so you can move easily in the suit, pin them to the suit. Remove the driver's suit, turn it inside out and sew the protectors into place.

Tips & Warnings

• You can use any work coverall as a ready-made pattern for a jumpsuit, even just tracing and pinning your flame retardant fabric directly to the coverall and sewing it into place.

• Do not use any material other than Nomex or Proban. Do not treat regular cotton with a flame retardant spray and use that instead of these manufactured brands, as no spray will function as well on material to protect in case of a fire as these materials will.

References

• Do not treat regular cotton with a flame retardant spray and use that instead of these manufactured brands, no spray will function as well on material to protect in case of a fire as these materials will.

Resources

• Race Car Driver Safety