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Fit for an Olympian What a challenge that would be!
tourist   Intermediate BC CANADA Member since 7/23/07 Posts: 5423	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 8/8/12 7:24 PM We are watching the Olympics and noting the various "ideal" body shapes for each sport. Broad shouldered and backed swimmers, lean, lithe, waist-less outdoor basketball players, thighs of steel cyclists. So interesting that while some of the bodies are not as extreme as others, (the volleyball players come to mind) they would still have fit challenges in spite of their extreme levels of fitness. Makes me feel better about my own fit issues! SheBear sews for skaters and body builders, so she might have thoughts on this - anyone else? Imagine if you had a track runner and a weight lifter to sew for. ------ http://bgballroom.wordpress.com to follow the progress on my next ballgown.
Leora Intermediate OR USA Member since 2/7/04 Posts: 2138	Login to reply to this post In reply to tourist << Like this post Date: 8/8/12 7:59 PM I was thinking about fit issues while watching track last night. It sure would be a challenge to have to figure out all the different pattern modifications. There were several different physiques in the same race! ------ Leah My blog: http://www.journeytocouture.com My idea of housework is to sweep the room with a glance.
SheBear0320   Advanced MB CANADA Member since 4/8/08 Posts: 2793	Login to reply to this post In reply to tourist << Like this post Date: 8/8/12 8:55 PM There can definitely be challenges when fitting the athletic body -- and it really does vary from sport to sport and even within sports dependent on discipline and gender. Of course there are always the issues of negative ease without restricting free movement. And then there are the varying issues from one piece to multiple piece suits. I have definite pet peeves when it comes to fitting athletic performance apparel: 1. the "disappearing panty/brief" -- whether it is gymnastics, skating, swimming or fitness. There is absolutely no need for this to be happening (the fix is very easy). 2. "drop crotch" in men's skating pants -- again another easy fix. 3. movement -- the last thing an athlete needs is to have to pull down or up a piece of their competition wear -- that is the absolute last thing they need to be worrying about. While the majority of my clients are either skaters or bodybuilders -- I'm slowly growing my client base to include multiple other sports ... dancers, swimmers, fitness instructors, snowshoers, x-country skiers and cyclists. Losing weight and being fit and trim doesn't necessarily make the fitting any easier -- the issues are just different. ------ Sheila "sewing very slowly to fill an empty closet" 2012/2013 Stash Busting Sew-Along: 27.25 yards sewn (as of 05/15/13) 21.75 yards purchased (as of 05/15/13)
tourist   Intermediate BC CANADA Member since 7/23/07 Posts: 5423	Login to reply to this post In reply to SheBear0320 << Like this post Date: 8/8/12 10:04 PM Yes on the brief issue! I can see the usual tug on a swimsuit from habit or nerves and there is a certain element of style sometimes. DH actually practices pulling the cuffs of his shirt between dances. That's what the "big boys" do. But when you know the wedge is probably driving an athlete crazy (or worse, they are so used to bad fit they don't notice) it is aggravating, isn't it? ------ http://bgballroom.wordpress.com to follow the progress on my next ballgown.
Leora Intermediate OR USA Member since 2/7/04 Posts: 2138	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 8/9/12 3:30 AM I would love to learn the wedgie fix. It seems reasonable that action causes creep so I never imagined it could be avoidable. ------ Leah My blog: http://www.journeytocouture.com My idea of housework is to sweep the room with a glance.
m/m   Intermediate NJ USA Member since 4/4/05 Posts: 324	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 8/9/12 6:47 AM I've wondered about fitting people like the German cyclist with the 34 inch thighs mentioned in the NY Times earlier this week. His waist is smaller than either thigh. They call him "Mr Thighs" for good reason.
RoseFromThule Advanced Beginner FRANCE Member since 3/3/10 Posts: 391	Login to reply to this post In reply to tourist << Like this post Date: 8/9/12 7:54 AM Ditto. I watched athletics, my favorite "sport" and thought that the female athletes have probably a very hard time finding clothes that fit. They are fit and thin, but their various shapes are so different from the run-of-the-mill model. Actually I'd love to see them in fashion magazines. ------ Meet me at rosemiracles.wordpress.com
Bernadette W   Advanced TX USA Member since 3/13/08 Posts: 15	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 8/9/12 8:57 AM Sheila- Would you consider sharing the "vanishing panty" fix? Also, where can home sewists buy wicking/performance or Coolmax type fabric? Thank you, Bernadette
SheBear0320   Advanced MB CANADA Member since 4/8/08 Posts: 2793	Login to reply to this post In reply to Bernadette W << 1 member likes this. Date: 8/9/12 11:10 AM This is my technique and it is just something I have perfected over the past 10 years of sewing athletic performance apparel. As a self-taught sewist, I just keep working on something until I get the look or function I want. I should make note here that the smaller/narrower the back brief, the more difficulty you will have with "creep". In the case of most of my bodybuilding and bikini competitor clients, they choose to go small/narrow and use "Bikini Bite" to hold everything in place. For these leg openings that cross over the butt cheek, I use 3/8" knit elastic as it is softer and follows the contours better. For skating, gymnastics, swimming, etc. I have found that the following works well -- (1) I only use non-roll 3/8" elastic in my leg openings -- this is a stiffer elastic but it tends to hold its shape better and doesn't flip; (2) front leg opening is always a 1:1 ratio or very close to it -- the front leg opening runs from the side seam to the crotch seam; (3) narrow shaping through the crotch area to ensure a smooth transition to the back leg opening -- the crotch area is an extension of the front piece (I never use a separate crotch piece in my products); (4) the elastic in the back leg opening is 1.25" to 1.75" smaller than the actual measurement of the brief opening; (5) when I stretch the elastic through the back leg opening there is more stretch distributed through the "cheek" area to ensure the elastic is cupping the cheek effectively; (6) ensure that the back leg opening elastic close to the side seam is smooth -- extremely important for high cut briefs. As for wicking/performance fabrics, try Spandex House, Peak Fabrics, Spandex World, Rockywoods, Rose City Textiles and Suzi Spandex. Each of these carry several wicking fabrics in a variety of weights. HTH ------ Sheila "sewing very slowly to fill an empty closet" 2012/2013 Stash Busting Sew-Along: 27.25 yards sewn (as of 05/15/13) 21.75 yards purchased (as of 05/15/13)
tourist   Intermediate BC CANADA Member since 7/23/07 Posts: 5423	Login to reply to this post In reply to SheBear0320 << Like this post Date: 8/9/12 12:22 PM Great stuff Sheila! How far back does the front/crotch go? I would think it would end where the back of a separate crotch piece would normally end. Re: narrow shaping. I find patterns have too much of a gradual curve and I need to carve it out a bit or sacrifice some front coverage. I think Kwik Sew suggests 3/8" elastic and it certainly works for me. I use their double zig zag method for application, though a CS binder sounds great, the zz works really well and I do see it used on custom gowns and even RTW lingerie. ------ http://bgballroom.wordpress.com to follow the progress on my next ballgown.

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