Are you familiar with the fabric, neoprene? If you’ve ever felt, worn, or seen a wetsuit (like the ones used for scuba diving or surfing) it was probably neoprene. As described by Mood’s fabric dictionary Neoprene is a synthetic rubber that’s often used to make wetsuits, hence its alternative name scuba knit. Neoprene has become increasingly popular as a material to wear and use (on land and sea) because of its many qualities like stain resistance and general durability. Keep reading to learn more about how to sew and care for neoprene.
Neoprene Overview:
Neoprene was made by Dupont as an alternative to natural rubber in the early ‘30s. Neoprene is a double knit fabric that can withstand temperatures from -50 degrees to 275 F. It varies in thickness, usually being 3-5 millimeters.
Neoprene Characteristics:
With so many excellent properties, it’s a wise choice for a wide variety of uses.
- Water/weather resistance
- Heat retention
- Good elasticity
- Chemically stable
- Abrasion/tear resistance
- Solvent resistance
- Oil resistance
- Fireproof
- Non-toxic
Neoprene Uses:
While military and parliamentary organizations have a lot of applications for neoprene, there are many other end-uses from apparel, accessories, sports, and industrial products. If you’re interested in sewing with neoprene below are a few ideas to get you started.
- Wetsuits/scuba gear
- Swimsuits
- Electronics cases
- Sportswear/sports bras
- Lunch bags
- Koozies
- Mouse Pads
- Gloves
Sewing with Neoprene:
Although it may seem tough at first glance to sew with neoprene, it’s quite manageable. Below are a few tips to make it even easier.
- Prep your neoprene by washing it in cold water and letting lie flat to dry
- For smooth edges use a rotary cutter when cutting out patterns
- Use wonder clips to hold the fabric in place instead of pinning
- A ballpoint needle when sewing help prevent snags or holes
- Attach a walking foot to help prevent sliding and bunching
- Neoprene doesn’t fray, so there’s no need to finish the edges
Washing Neoprene Garments:
The standard rule for washing neoprene is to launder with care. Use the tips below, and you’ll get the best wear from your neoprene.
- Use fresh water to launder your garment
- Don’t use a washer or dryer
- With a gentle soap, scrub neoprene by hand and then ring dry
- Hang to dry indoors avoiding hangers; Dry garments on a flat surface instead
- Flip the garment inside-out when drying to prevent stiffness
Neoprene is an all-star fabric that you probably haven’t thought about sewing with too often however, it’s used for a wide array of purposes, and its properties make it an excellent choice for clothing and accessories. Neoprene offers a lot of great benefits and is relatively easy to launder once you get the hang of it. Ready to try sewing with neoprene? Try your hand at the Vanda dress free sewing pattern to get started.
What projects have you sewn using neoprene, and what tips and tricks did you learn/use? Drop your comments below.
8 comments
How are they to wear? I’ve been very tempted by the look but worry that they would be too hot & sweaty to wear. Are they?
Not at all! The heavy, insulated neoprene can be warm, but the fashion weight is very breathable since it doesn’t have the layer of rubber. Many of our printed neoprene fabrics are actually lighter than ponte knit!
What thickness would be used for outerwear? Something that would be warm and also give that body that neoprene has that other fabrics don’t
I totally agree with you – I’ve seen a couple outfits that are sporty and casual at the same time with this material. It’s all about structure 🙂 This is a good post!
I found this article incredibly useful. Thank you very much.
I have learn the uses of neoprene fabric. Very informative ang knowlegdeable. Thanks a lot….
Would neoprene be good for a face mask? Thanks!
Hi Franci! The CDC recommends three layers of a tightly woven non-stretch fabric such as cotton poplin or twill.