Making a Leotard: Part 3

[@tiffanyregnier6932]

Wow!!! What a generous amount of knowledge you have shared!!!!!! Really great! Thank you!!

[@RhinestoneQueenCostumes]

You are so kind! Thanks so much for watching!

[@franceshopper]

great tutorials. thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@RhinestoneQueenCostumes]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@charlyncorgan1954]

Thank you for this series! Looking forward to watching all the others!

[@RhinestoneQueenCostumes]

Thanks for watching!

[@gaynormainwaring1853]

Excellent tutorial. I’ve been looking for one and this is the best I’ve seen. I sew a lot of my own clothes and clothes for my granddaughters but I’ve never sewn a leotard - now one of my little granddaughters has joined a dance class so I want to be ready when I have to make my first one. I live in South Wales in the UK.

[@RhinestoneQueenCostumes]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks so much for watching! Be careful ... when the studio director finds out you sew, you could have a full time job!

[@DJ-sg7bn]

Thank you for your videos. I’m getting ready to make costumes for my granddaughters. Your videos are excellent.

[@RhinestoneQueenCostumes]

Thanks so much for your kind words and thanks for watching!

[@Crystaldegreef]

This is stunning! I have sewed on and off my entire life and have two dancers… I have no idea why I didn’t think to make their leotards!

[@RhinestoneQueenCostumes]

They'll have the best leotards at their studio! All custom!! Have fun! Thanks for watching!!

[@Flowerlady87]

Thank you so much. Very clear explanations. Helped me a lot!

[@zoe12153]

This 3 part series was so so helpful! Thank you!

[@RhinestoneQueenCostumes]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@cherubsintulle8485]

Thank you for these videos! So much information and clear explanation. I love your work!

[@RhinestoneQueenCostumes]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@morganyoung7046]

Thank you so much! I just found your channel and I'm binge watching all of your videos. I've been sewing for years, but I'm just starting sewing dance and gymnastic clothes for my daughter.

[@RhinestoneQueenCostumes]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@zaiawong9903]

Love it. I am very glad to see your video with zero experience❤ Do you have any two pieces costume based tutorial? Thank you.

[@RhinestoneQueenCostumes]

So glad you found the video helpful. When I started, I had a TON of dance experience, but only minimal sewing skills. You can do this, too! I'll have to add 2-piece costumes to my "to do" list. Sadly, I'm so busy making custom commissioned costumes, that I haven't had a lot of time to make videos. I'll get there one day!

[@sunnysunsetflower]

Thank you so much! You’re the best.

[@peneloperogers4749]

Your content is amazing! You are very detailed oriented which is extremely useful.

[@RhinestoneQueenCostumes]

Thanks so much for your kind words! Glad this was helpful to you! Happy sewing and thanks for watching!

[@classicalbk]

You share all the pro tips that many leave out. I appreciate all the details. Have you made a video for leos/bra tops for dancers who need support for c/d cups? That would be really wonderful.

[@RhinestoneQueenCostumes]

I have not yet done that, but it's on my list of "to do" videos. Unfortunately, I'm on a bit of a hiatus while our new house is being built but hope to be back at it by spring. I usually insert a bra into my costumes for all girls who have anything in the bust - even A cups. I find it just makes the costume look and fit SO much better. I buy cheap smooth cup bras from Wal Mart, or for bustier girls, I have them bring in a bra that fits well. When the base leotard is almost done, I have them put the bra on under the leotard and I pin it in at attachment points for the front of the shoulder strap and the sides, then sew that in before running elastic. I use the structure of the costume to support the bra - like attaching the spaghetti strap in the front of the costume directly to the bra I inserted, and replacing the strap across the back (for girls with a larger bust) with spaghetti straps going across. (These may sometimes need to have a hook and eye on one side so the dancer can put it on.) I hope this explanation helps while waiting for me to get to this topic in videos. Thanks for watching!

[@hazelo4424]

thank you, so informative!

[@johannacabrera-fe8xk]

Great series of videos; I will try to make one I check in with you. I have a few questions what size elastic did you use, and the name of the linin fabric?

[@RhinestoneQueenCostumes]

I mostly use 3/8 inch wide braided elastic. The lining is a thin, lightweight Lycra, called "Feather nylon spandex" from Blue Moon Fabrics. I think they're in California.

[@abt426]

Thank you for your videos. I have learned a lot from them. Do you have any advice for places to purchase fabric online?

[@RhinestoneQueenCostumes]

I mainly use Stretch House and Spandex House in NYC, but I've recently used Blue Moon in CA. They're all great companies with robust websites. Just make sure you purchase fabrics that are 4-way stretch to make your leotards. You CAN use 2-way stretch, but you have to cut on the bias, so you need more fabric and pattern matching can be more difficult. Thanks for watching!

[@Michelle_Volk]

Ive been following this step by step and have finished the piping on the back, will be starting the sides today...my question is, this may sound dumb, but this is all very VERY new to me and I have VERY basic sewing skills, but how do you attach the piping on the right side of the leo? it seems like that would put everything into the machine with all the extra fabric on the right side of the foot...does this need to be done with the wrong side facing up with the black underneath?

[@RhinestoneQueenCostumes]

You have to sew the piping strip to the RIGHT side of the leotard, then put your elastic in and serge or trim the edge. When you pull the piping strip around to the back side of the leotard to cover the elastic, you'll top stitch on the right side of the leotard to give you a nice finished edge on the front. Finally, you'll trim the excess of your piping strip from the back side of the leotard. DM me if this doesn't make sense. Thanks for watching! Welcome to the fabulous world of stretch AND sewing! Be careful ... it's addictive!

[@Michelle_Volk]

@@RhinestoneQueenCostumes I got it all done!! Just need to fit it on my daughter and sew down the straps! I'm amazed that I actually made it and it doesn't look half bad either! When I say I have very basic skills...I mean I know how to thread a machine and run it LOL Ive never made anything other then a duffel bag and pillow in 5th grade, and pillow cases, and pot holders in my adult years🤣 So THANK you for your very detailed videos! Ill send you a photo on FB once its on my daughter 😃

[@RhinestoneQueenCostumes]

THIS is why I made the videos!! You've made my day! Congrats on being brave enough to just give it a try! I promise you will get better with each leotard you make! I kept the first costumes I made for my daughters 20 years ago; they remind me of how far I've come. If I can do it, you can, too!