Fancy leotards

The girl is back into gymnastics, and it is time to make her a new leotard or two…or three.  I still use the same basic leo pattern that I have used in the past, which is Kwik Sew 2679.  I have cut a deeper neckline, though, since she didn’t like the high neckline on it.

This time I decided to do some appliqués on them.  I saw a similar leotard hanging up in the waiting room, and they were charging $70+ for it.  It was fancy, so I wasn’t surprised.

The blue/silver one is actually cut strips sewn together.  I didn’t have enough length for a full front.

So, here is how you can do these.  First of all, you need some Heat n’ Bond, or something similar.  I used Heat n’ Bond, because that is what I had.  It firms up the appliqué and you can stitch it on without wanting to tear out your hair.  You get a nice clean cut edge, as well.

Draw/trace the image on the back of the piece of bonding material, and then cut it close to the edge.  Bond to your fabric.

Cut along the lines.

Add more appliqués on top, if you want a layered look.  Iron layers one at a time with a press cloth over it.   Make sure the heat isn’t too high or it will melt the fabric.  I just wanted it slightly adhered, so it wouldn’t move around.

Zig zag it onto the fabric, covering the edges.

Add some bling with rhinestones, if you want.  Now in the past I have done some iron-on’s and they don’t stick for super long.  They probably would if I were to hand wash the leotards.  However, I have two kids and a huge ass pile of laundry, so basically nothing gets hand-washed.  I have never thrown them in the dryer, though.

I have some E6000 glue that I will try.  I haven’t quite gotten that far yet.  We shall see how it holds up to washing.

I like to use FOE (fold over elastic) on the leotards, too.  Makes them look less like swimming suits that way.  Plus, it is just easier to make them with FOE.  Plus, I ordered a ton, so I have LOTS of colors of FOE to use up.

Now hopefully she gets lots of use out of these!