WAG Sewing your own leotards

[wizzie]

Does anyone have tips for making your own leos? I do not have a serger, but my sewing machine has an overlock stitch. Thanks!

 

[txgymfan]

Here is a thread we had on this topic a while ago. Personally, I know nothing about sewing but we have some very crafty moms. http://www.chalkbucket.com/forums/c...anyone-make-customise-their-own-leotards.html Have fun and good luck!

 

[gymcritter]

I make my own leos' Started just for my daughter then turned into a great business. started with just a sewing machine then progressed to serger. It is very nice but takes awhile to get the hang of it took me about 6 months till I felt 100% confident with them

 

[Iwannabemargo]

I make mine - the first I did with a sewing machine on overlock, then I bought a serger. I ended up making about 100 for the gym club so it was worth my while. I would highly recommended the Jalie patterns - top notch.

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[wizzie]

I did read that whole thread, it was quite helpful. Margo, your leotards were amazing!

Do you guys put any elastic in the parts around the legs and arms?

 

[gymcritter]

Yes I use elastic

 

[Iwannabemargo]

Thanks whizzie, I used elastic on the legs but just bound the arm seams. It helps not to be too tight round the under arm

Don't know of I posted this one last time but this is pink and fluffy's latest favourite . (On right) scuse funny Looking faces but I have tried to pixelate them






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[txgymfan]

Margo, I can't see the picture. Will you please post it again? Thanks!

 

[Iwannabemargo]

Hmmm can't seem to get it in from the tablet - will try from photobucket

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[txgymfan]

Still no picture! I'm sure its adorable.

 

[ginnymac]

Love them!!!

 

[txgymfan]

Now I can see it! So cute!!!

 

[MVJ]

I've been interested in making my own leos too. Just have no idea where to get the fabric , without buying 30 yards.

 

[wizzie]

That is so cute!

I too would like to know places where you get your fabric.

And how do you guys go about washing and drying the leos you make?

 

[gymcritter]

Locally Joanne fabrics has it so does hancock

 

[gymcritter]

We wash and dry it with all reagular clothes but it depends on the fabric some I make has glitter or sequins or special instructions when you buy the fabric it tells you

 

[Iwannabemargo]

I get mine online from fabric warehouses. Depends on fabric, but the killer is detergent and heat. I recommended hand washing in cold water with no detergent. I always add a cotton guset to my leos (and an amazed most bought ones don't have one) as dd and most of her team mates Do not wear pants. I wash that with a little pure soap.

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On and never tumble dry - kills mystique.

 

[wizzie]

Thank you!

How do you sew your designs on? Do you sew them right on top of the leo, or do you cut out a rough shape of the design in the body and then sew it on it while it's inside out?

 

[Iwannabemargo]

I appliqué the design onto the plain leo with a zigzag stitch (to allow for stretch). Top tip here, spray appliqué with spray adhesive on the reverse ( I use 3M) before applying, holds much better than pins.

If I was to do a design like this

I would cut and stitch.

'Margo

 

[leotardmakermum]

As you can probably tell from my moniker, I make lots of leotards. All the places I get my fabric from are in Australia, so they're not going to be any help to you! I use a Jalie pattern as a base and make all sorts of changes to the design, still keeping the same fit.

When I do applique, rather than using the spray adhesive idea, I cut my shapes out and carefully position them, then adhere "tearaway" over the top, with at least 1-2 inches around the edges of the shapes. I pin around the edges of the tearaway so that it doesn't lift at all. With the tearaway in place, I can easily zig zag over the edge of the shapes to hold them in place.

After stitching, the tearaway tears away (what a surprise!). It means there is no glue anywhere, which means I don't have to worry about making a mess (which I am sure I would if I used spray glue!) and the fabric continues to stretch properly.

I use elastic in the legholes and armholes. I use it around the neck unless I am using a contrasting binding.

For sewing up, I only have a sewing machine, so use Jalie's suggested method. Using a seam allowance of 1/4in / 6mm, I use a wide zig zag extending over the edge of the two layers of fabric. Then I use a straight stitch to stitch the seams, making sure the fabric is stretched to its full extent as I stitch - REALLY important! It works well, is neat, and still allows full stretch.

Happy to answer any questions you may have. As an encouragement, I find sewing with lycra really easy, and very forgiving!

Added later: On posting this, I then found the word "leotard" in the first sentence became a link. I did not put the link there, nor do I want it there... :-(