Making leotards for rhythmic gymnastics - January 2021

Hello! My name is Suzanne and welcome to my channel. I design and make competition leotards for rhythmic gymnastics, and skating dresses for figure skating. I also love sewing in general! I hope you enjoy this video showing some of the projects I’ve been working on.
If you have any questions, please leave me a comment.
Thanks so much for watching!
Leotards by Suzanne

[@bellstudiostage3769]

Beautiful designs! 🥰 I love that colour blue - one of my favourites.

[@familyoffive9802]

Please post more videos! Beautiful design!

[@suzannecox1697]

Awe thanks so much! I ended going back to school for fashion design so I haven’t been making very many leotards lately, but I will try to post something soon.

[@suzannecox1697]

Awe thanks so much! I ended going back to school for fashion design so I haven’t been making very many leotards lately, but I will try to post something soon.

[@valeries247]

I love your work! I'm actually a beginner figure skater, not even competing but always wondered about making a dress one day, this video is interesting, I definitely wouldn't be able to make something this good, but it's inspiring :)

[@DG-sk9wo]

Gorgeous!!! Could you please show how do you prepare a jumpsuit? Somos gymnasts prefer them...

[@sewingwithsuzanne1338]

Hi there! Thanks so much! I'm glad you like them. I posted this video awhile ago now but I am thinking of creating more leotard sewing content. I have made a couple unitards in the past, and I think they look amazing! Is that something you would be interested in seeing? I used a sewing pattern so I could do a "sew-a-long" style video...

[@calandradutoit3460]

I love the video!! What a time consuming but beautiful process watching it come together, I was just wondering What temperature and setting is your iron on?

[@carolinacarolina3805]

Your work is very beautiful and amazing! Congratulations! Your hands are magic!!! I'm from Argentina, excuse me if my english isn't good!

[@sewingwithsuzanne1338]

Thank you so much 😀

[@loolach811]

@@sewingwithsuzanne1338 do you have Instagram or something? I really need your advice on decorating a leotard i have

[@karenramos1130]

These leotards are so beautiful! I was wondering, from what kind of fabric are the white and blue details made of? I might have to make a leotard of my own for next year since they are very expensive to buy where I live and I can't possibly afford it. This video has inspired me a lot, your work is incredible and it was so nice seeing the process

[@sewingwithsuzanne1338]

Thanks so much! I use a combination of spandex fabrics. The blue is a spandex/nylon (20% spandex) with 4 way stretch - like swimsuit fabric. and the white is a holographic dot spandex with 4 way stretch. Both fabrics a pretty widely available I think, but I got both at Spandex House in the US. Good luck making your leotard - it's a lot of fun :)

[@killyanjoseassisolimpio4878]

Beatiful

[@marthaloaisiga752]

Beautiful beautiful Beautiful 😍😍

[@sewingwithsuzanne1338]

Thank you 😊

[@kristinvanwyk5626]

Hi! There’s are just beautiful, I’m thinking of making my own comp leo and I just had 2 questions if that’s ok The first one is what is the stretch sparkle mesh called And the second is what type of pattern do you use? Do you just use a basic Leo pattern and then freestyle the details?

[@christinekrebs8328]

Hi, I was hoping you could post a video on the best pattern to get to have a leotard with a low hidden skirt line and how to sew that together. I am new to sewing stretch and trying to learn to make for my daughter.

[@suzannecox1697]

Hi! Oh this is a great idea for a video! I think I might just do that. I will do some research and think on it. Maybe I ask what sport you’re making your leotard for? Rhythmic gymnastics? Figure skating? Something else?

[@Jess3349]

Where can one buy one of your leotards?

[@siennaP-k2n]

Can you make a toturial on how to make a full costume and sewing you know etc? Tysm I Am going broke buying these leos I wanna try to make my own!

[@sewingwithsuzanne1338]

Hi Sienna! I hear ya! I started making leotards because they were so pricey. I was thinking of making a few more videos explaining a bit more about my process. I am making a couple new leotards for my daughter now - I no longer make them to sell as I am starting back to school. Making leotards is very time consuming, and can get expensive if you get carried away. Once you've made a few you start to understand why they cost so much! But I love making them and it can be very rewarding. I will try to post a bit more video content soon! Thanks

[@siennaP-k2n]

@@sewingwithsuzanne1338 thank you so much for your kindness💓

[@rebeccaross5432]

Hi there your costumes are really lovely! I was wondering if you could tell me how you stitch h the detailed fabric parts on ? Are you using a straight stitch ? Many thanks!!

[@sewingwithsuzanne1338]

Hi there! Thanks so much! For the detail or appliqué fabric, I usually stabilize it with a two sided fusible interfacing, or a light repositional spray glue like 3M 75. Sometimes I just pin it on if I don't think it will shift too much in the sewing process. Then I sew using a medium zig zag stitch. Zig zag stitch everything when using stretch fabric. A straight stitch will break when the gymnast puts on the leotard. Hope this helps!

[@malwinabornico]

hi! thank you so much for this video. Could you please tell me what temperature you set on the iron to glue the crystals?

[@sewingwithsuzanne1338]

I use a pretty high setting, maybe one setting down from the highest. But definitely check the heat tolerance of your fabric on a scrap piece of fabric before starting, and always use a pressing cloth. As sort of an update to this video, I actually prefer glueing down the crystals now instead of using hot fix. The best glue I have found is E6000 for fabric

[@kukuruyukyukyuk]

Wow beautiful. Which size of crystals were you using?

[@sewingwithsuzanne1338]

Hi! Thanks so much! I used a variety of sizes of crystals in this video. For the hot fix crystals I used mostly ss12, ss16 and ss20. I hope that helps

[@veronicabungeag8169]

Hi do u have any video how to sew a rhytmic gym leotard from beginning?

[@Memoria-cl2ho]

Is that lace or tulle?

[@marcelavillarreal1473]

hello! where did you get the shiny mesh? love your work

[@sewingwithsuzanne1338]

Hi Marcela! Thanks so much! I buy my glitter mesh at Dressew in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

[@РавшонКурбонбоев]

Олиш учун кимга кайерга мурожат килишимиз керак

[@renatagerlikiene1835]

Maybe you could make a tutorial how to make pattern for RG leotard?

[@sewingwithsuzanne1338]

Hi! Thanks for your comment. I am thinking of posting a few videos on my favourite patterns to use for leotards. Starting with a base pattern can be really helpful and then you can design anything from there.

[@carjhb]

I love the scrolls. Do you glue them on to the lycra, then stitch? Machine or by hand?

[@suzannecox1697]

Hi! Thanks so much! 😊 I’ve tried a few different ways but for this particular leotard I used a double sided fusible interfacing called “Steam-A-Seam 2”, then I zigzag stitch around everything with my sewing machine. Hope this helps 😊

[@stephaniechapellon2340]

Bonsoir, votre travaille et magnifique , je me demandais comment créer plusieurs justaucorps de taille différentes du meme modèle, je dessine un a la main mais pour faire les autres et que se soit a peu pres identique jai pas trop la solution. Merci pour votre réponse

[@Erystea]

These leotards are so pretty! Can you tell me which kind of fabrics you use?

[@suzannecox1697]

Thanks so much! I use mostly spandex fabric with 4 way stretch, and 4 way stretch nude mesh. I buy most fabrics from Spandex House.

[@Erystea]

@@suzannecox1697 Thank you! ^^

[@hairbeauty8083]

Where do you buy your material??

[@mercedes1171]

Hi Suzanne I'm wondering where do you get your crystals?

[@suzannecox1697]

Hi 👋 I get some them from a local (Vancouver Canada) seller ASE Crystals and I order some online - AliExpress Yanruo Crystals, and Dreamtime Crystals in the US 😊

[@mercedes1171]

@@suzannecox1697 thank you!!

[@Barbskates]

I’m curious about the board under the leotard which you’re applying the decorations on. Did you make it and can you tell us how?

[@suzannecox1697]

Hi! Yes I do! It’s just a plain wood board kind of the size and thickness of a standard cutting board, and I just wrap it in about 6 layers of cotton flannel. This makes it so I can pin into it, and also if any glue seeps into the flannel through the mesh leotard, it doesn’t really stick that bad. It pulls away easily and anything that did stick on the inside of the leotard ends up with a bit of fluffy flannel on it, which is totally fine a not rough against the skin. It works great and I use it a lot. Hopefully this makes sense and was helpful 😊

[@suzannecox1697]

Hi! Yes I do! It’s just a plain wood board kind of the size and thickness of a standard cutting board, and I just wrap it in about 6 layers of cotton flannel. This makes it so I can pin into it, and also if any glue seeps into the flannel through the mesh leotard, it doesn’t really stick that bad. It pulls away easily and anything that did stick on the inside of the leotard ends up with a bit of fluffy flannel on it, which is totally fine a not rough against the skin. It works great and I use it a lot. Hopefully this makes sense and was helpful 😊

[@suzannecox1697]

Hi! Yes I do! It’s just a plain wood board kind of the size and thickness of a standard cutting board, and I just wrap it in about 6 layers of cotton flannel. This makes it so I can pin into it, and also if any glue seeps into the flannel through the mesh leotard, it doesn’t really stick that bad. It pulls away easily and anything that did stick on the inside of the leotard ends up with a bit of fluffy flannel on it, which is totally fine a not rough against the skin. It works great and I use it a lot. Hopefully this makes sense and was helpful 😊

[@hesterwoodward3276]

hi love your work i saw on the blue tha the neck line was finished differently tot the armhole would you mind telling me the method ? ty

[@suzannecox1697]

Hi! I’ll try to explain this as best I can 😊For the neckline I used a piece of bias cut stretch nude mesh same as the leotard(about 4cm x the length of the neckline minus 10%), kind of like putting a neckband in a sweatshirt, you want it to be slightly tighter so it sits nicely and doesn’t sag. I pin this bias strip to the right side of the neckline evenly, then attached it with my serger using nude thread. Then wrap the remaining bias strip over the serger seam and over to the back or wrong side. Top stitch in place - I like using a triple zig zag stitch. Neatly trim off the extra fabric on the inside. The finish looks like there’s an elastic inside but it’s just serger stitches - much softer than elastic. I hope this helps.

[@hesterwoodward3276]

@@suzannecox1697 thats what I thought perfect thank you 😊

[@sugheyteniza6356]

Hi suzzane, your leotard is gorgeous, a question where you bought the glitter mesh?

[@suzannecox1697]

Hi! I bought mine at Dressew in Vancouver 😊

[@PetraMeijerVerbaan]

How do you make the hals line.? And arm hole,

[@sewingwithsuzanne1338]

Hi! I use a few different methods to finish the neckline and armholes. I have started putting a video together showing these different methods - it will hopefully be out soon! Thanks

[@Andrea_Rodriguez]

How do you get the different color designs on it and what are they made of?

[@sewingwithsuzanne1338]

The fabric is all nylon/spandex athletic fabric, and I paint them with various fabric paints :)

[@mariareed5530]

What happen, what is left of all this after washing, because none of this glues are non washable ???

[@suzannecox1697]

Hi there, the crystals stay on through washing - hot fix is a permanent way to attach crystals. That being said, a very few crystals do sometimes pop of while wearing the leotard, but usually only when the fabric is overly stretched while being worn, or being stressed in some other way - rolling on the floor etc… An alternative to hot fix is to glue them on - I like E6000 glue for this

[@fatmarahem7367]

What type of sewing machine?

[@sewingwithsuzanne1338]

Hi, I have a Pfaff Ambition 620 sewing machine and a Janome Pro4DX serger.

[@БолортуяаЭрдэнэбат]

Hello. what sewing machine do you use

[@sewingwithsuzanne1338]

Hi! I have a Janome Pro4DX serger, and a Pfaff Ambition 620 sewing machine

[@mirakaldenekker1867]

Hello Suzanne, your leotards are gorgeous, I was just wondering do you have any good crystals to recommend that are cheap. I already know about the Yanruo crystals but is it okay to use those for the whole leotard.

[@suzannecox1697]

Hi! Thanks so much! I personally think that for most leotards the cheaper crystals are perfect and sparkle beautifully on the carpet, stage or ice! I have been very happy with the quality and price of Yanruo crystals. But there are some people who want and are willing to pay for much more expensive crystals, and that’s great but I don’t think it’s necessary. Just my opinion.

[@mirakaldenekker1867]

@@suzannecox1697 thank you I also agree that swarovski crystals are too expensive. Thank you for your your suggestion

[@nishthashah8286]

Hello can you make leotards for india??

[@sewingwithsuzanne1338]

Hi, sorry I am only making for local clients at the moment. Thanks

[@АмК-с6з]

Hello i can make leotards for India. Write me i send you photos of my leotards

[@dinekebakker6516]

Hello Suzanne, very nice your video. I don´t have Instagram, can I reach you via mail?