How to Repair Speedo Jammers

Speedo Jammers are great suits for racing, but they occasionally rip.

A tight fitting bathing suit, such as a Speedo Jammer, enhances performance in the water by eliminating the drag created by bulkier swim trunks. Although Jammers are designed to resist wear from sun, chlorine, and sunscreens, the suit fabric does get weaker over time. Occasionally, the suits will rip, especially along the seam. A repaired suit will be just fine for practice, but you may want to purchase a new suit to wear during competitive swim meets. Even a carefully repaired suit will have more drag than the suit did when it was in new condition.

Things You'll Need

• Needle
• Thread

Instructions

1. Holding the stretchy fabric taut while sewing the rip will be the trickiest part. If possible, have an additional person hold the suit stretched across their arms. This will help prevent you from gathering too much fabric and creating a repaired seam that is bulky.

2. Starting just below where the rip starts, join the two sides of the fabric together with the tiniest stitches you can create. Put your needle in and out within one millimeter of the edge of the rip, if possible.

3. Repeat with additional stitches, placing the stitches as close to each other as you can.

4. Keep the fabric held taut as you sew, to avoid a gathering of fabric that will pop up and create drag in the water.

5. When you get to the end of the row, add only two additional stitches to prevent the new seam from falling out, and tie a double knot in the thread.

6. Trim the thread down to the knot.

Tips & Warnings

• To prevent further rips in your Speedo Jammer, never place it in the dryer. Always let it air dry.

• Pull the suit on carefully, preferably when it is dry, to avoid puncturing it with your fingers.

References

• Sewing with Knits: Classic, Stylish Garments from Swimsuits to Eveningwear; Connie Long; 2000.
• Kwik Sew's Swim & Action Wear; Kerstin Martensson; 1995).