How to sew a leotard for rhythmic gymnastics: step-by-step instructions

There is nothing more exciting than contemplating young graceful gymnasts on the mat. Unique leotards for rhythmic gymnastics add even more entertainment to the performances. You can sew a beautiful swimsuit with your own hands, make sketches and patterns yourself, or use ready-made options. 

Sketches of leotards for rhythmic gymnastics

Rhythmic gymnastics is a sport in which the appearance of the performers is of great importance. When preparing the sketch, it is necessary to take into account all the rules for costumes determined by the technical committee.

Requirements for the design and cut of a gymnastics suit are approved in an official document:

1. The suit should not be transparent from the torso to the chest; the design must be correct.
2. Gymnastics suits with thin straps are prohibited.
3. The permissible depth of the cutout on the chest is the middle of the chest bone, on the back - the end of the shoulder blades.
4. The cutout of the lower part of the swimsuit on the legs is not made higher than the groin folds.
5. A gymnastics costume should clearly follow the contours of the body; the skirt should not be fluffy.
6. For long suits, the fabric on both parts of the product covering the legs is the same, only a difference in pattern or ornament is possible.

If a swimsuit does not comply with the rules, the judges will deduct 0.2 points.

You can create your own sketch of the product in any graphic editor or draw it on paper.  The sketch will be needed when making a swimsuit pattern, calculating the amount of fabric and decor.

Leotard pattern for rhythmic gymnastics: master class

To determine the size of a gymnastic leotard, it is necessary to take measurements from the athlete: chest, waist, hips. Beginning needlewomen are recommended to use ready-made patterns. Experienced users can create their own variations based on basic models. Standard sizes tracksuits  correspond to the sizes of children's clothing. The selected pattern must be transferred to paper or printed in an electronic version. The paper pattern elements are connected with adhesive tape.

The front and back parts of the finished product do not match, so they are cut out separately.

It is recommended to make 2 copies of the pattern, since the pattern will be applied to one part, then it will be cut. The other will be used to collect elements. Skirt length swimsuit for girls the front is usually 2 cm shorter than the back.

The drawing is applied to the pattern with a marker, the colors are signed on paper.

For an exact color match, the front and back of the pattern are cut off. Similarly, the drawing is transferred to duplicate patterns.

One copy is cut and used for cutting. After cutting, they begin sewing the product.

To sew a swimsuit you will need:

• sewing machine;
• needles and feet for knitted fabric;
• the fabric itself;
• sewing supplies.

When cutting, the pattern pieces are pinned to the fabric in the direction of the grain thread. The elements are outlined and seam allowances are left. Cut out 1 front piece, back, gusset, 2 sleeve pieces. At the bottom of the sleeves, leave a 2 cm allowance for the hem.

First of all, the parts in the gusset area are cut off. In this case, the front and back parts are folded with the front side inward, the gusset is located with the wrong side up. The parts are held together.

The shoulder seams of the swimsuit are connected with pins, placing the pins at a distance of 0.8-1 cm from the edges of the fabrics. This will allow you to sew and overcast the product without removing the pins. Then the seams are made using a 4-thread overlocker.

Next, you need to process the cutouts of the swimsuit in any way.

Processing cutouts with latex elastic

Latex elastic is used when sewing swimsuits; you can buy it in large sewing accessories stores. The elastic is applied to the neckline from the wrong side, fastened to the knitwear, and its fit is made.

Then the cutout is overlocked with an overlocker, gripping the elastic from the wrong side. Knitted fabric must be stretched when stitching. The pins used to pin the elastic and fabric together should have their heads pointing towards themselves. Then, when approaching the foot, they are easily removed from the fabric. The stitching is done with 3 threads.

The processed cut must be folded to the wrong side and secured with pins.

It is sewn with a wide flat seam, slightly stretching the product. The pins are removed during the sewing process. It is important that the left edge of the stitch is located along the edge of the elastic on the wrong side, then the entire latex elastic is secured and will not rub or bend.

The result is a soft flat seam.

Processing a cut using an elastic band

Elastic bindings are sold in a variety of colors; choosing the elastic that best matches the fabric is very easy.

The elastic is pinned to the knitwear, making it fit. Then they bend the elastic and wrap the edge of the fabric and baste it. After basting, the pins can be pulled out.

Then the binding and fabric are attached using a zigzag stitch. The knitwear is stretched a little, the stitching goes along the binding.

The treated edge is soft, perfect for daily training.

After processing the neckline, the gusset is sewn on. To do this, it is pinned to the cut of the front part and attached. Then the leg cutouts are processed using any method suggested above.

The bottom of the sleeves of leotards for rhythmic gymnastics is folded inward, basted and sewn with a flat wide seam. Then the side seams of the sleeves are sewn together and sewn into the armholes. Using an overlocker, all seams are sewn and the swimsuit is ironed. The result is a costume that fits the gymnast's body well.

Fabrics for rhythmic gymnastics leotards

When sewing swimsuits, elastic, high-quality fabrics of various shades are used.

The most commonly used types of fabrics are:

1. Guipure. Used to decorate a swimsuit. This light lace fabric adds romance, tenderness, and grace to the look. Lace is produced with small or large patterns and in various colors. The elastic structure of guipure allows you to implement various design ideas.
2. Supplex is the main knitted fabric for swimsuits. It has good stretchability, bright colors, waterproof and durable. Matte fabrics look noble and emphasize the dignity of the figure. Shiny fabrics add expressiveness and elegance to the suit. Biflex combines well with other materials.
3. Velvet. It has thick and soft pile. High-quality fabrics are abrasion-resistant and have a special arrangement of fibers that creates the illusion of iridescent color. You can make appliqués from velvet.
4. Georgette. Thanks to the specific twist of threads and weave, it has high strength and is resistant to creasing. The fabric drapes well and is used to create airy trim elements for swimsuits.
5. Stitch mesh.

Net for rhythmic gymnastics leotards

Stretch mesh is most often used for sewing sleeves and the upper back of swimsuits, making shaped inserts on the sides of the swimsuit, as a basis for appliqués and rhinestone decoration. The choice of material colors is large, but the main shade is beige.

The mesh stretches perfectly in all directions. It can be combined with any fabric and is easy to cut. The material does not wrinkle, dries quickly after getting wet, and the number of washes does not reduce its elasticity. High-quality material made in Italy and Korea is not cheap, but it does not form puffs and does not require processing of cuts.

Leotard skirt for rhythmic gymnastics

Swimsuits with skirts help create a more feminine look, as well as slightly adjust your figure.

To visually make the gymnast's legs longer, cutouts are made in the hem of the skirt. There are various styles of skirts: sun, half-sun, single-layer with flounces, decorated with spiral flounces with a strong twist, or trimmed with bias tape. The basic rule when sewing is that the skirt must fit; models similar to tutus are not allowed.

You can cut out the skirt together with the swimsuit, then the panties are sewn on separately.

Or they cut out a swimsuit and sew a skirt on top. When cutting, leave seam allowances.  Then it is attached to the swimsuit slightly below waist level using a zigzag seam. In this case, the skirt fabric is simply placed on top of the swimsuit.

How to decorate a leotard for rhythmic gymnastics

Various materials are used to decorate gymnastic leotards: sequins, beads, fringe, rhinestones. Decorative elements are sewn on, glued, or rhinestones on a thermo-adhesive base are used. The amount of decor is determined in accordance with the purpose of the leotard: for performances or daily activities. The features of the gymnast’s appearance, performance style, and music are also taken into account.

Beautiful costumes are obtained by applying various designs to fabric. Special acrylic paints are used in this work. First, the contours of the pattern are drawn, then the elements are painted over.

When applying color, it is important that the paint soaks into the fabric and does not just sit on top, otherwise the paint layer may crack.

After the design has dried, the swimsuit is ironed from the wrong side. You can glue rhinestones on top.

Rhinestones for leotards for rhythmic gymnastics

Colored stones are used to highlight the design. To add shine, crystals are used that shimmer in all colors depending on the lighting; they are called AB effect rhinestones. The size of the rhinestones should correspond to the size of the swimsuit: for large ones use size ss20, for small ones - ss16.

Glue rhinestones onto the cut parts before sewing the product.

Use clear or white glue that is applied directly to the fabric. Adhesive-based rhinestones are also produced. When the design is completely filled, small rhinestones are laid out, for individual elements - large sewn ones.

Appliques for leotards for rhythmic gymnastics

Using appliques, unusual swimsuit designs are created. Elements for applique are first cut out of paper, then transferred to fabric. All parts of the applique are laid out on the base and pinned.

Sew the elements in a zigzag pattern on top of the base. It is important that the stitching goes exactly along the edge of the element, then after sewing you will not have to cut off the excess. This is especially true for applications that will be decorated with rhinestones.

Fringe for rhythmic gymnastics leotards

When sewing leotards for rhythmic gymnastics, fringe is used to trim the skirt. It looks very impressive, crumbles and shimmers with the movements of the gymnast.

The color of the fringe echoes the main colors of the suit. The silky structure goes well with any fabric. Sew on the fringe with ribbons or separate bunches.

Sewing a leotard for rhythmic gymnastics is not difficult, you just need a little imagination and patience.