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

There is nothing more exciting than the contemplation of young graceful gymnasts on the carpet. 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 a 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 the gymnastic suit are approved in the official document:

1. The suit should not be transparent in the area of ​​the torso to the chest, the design is made correct.
2. Gymnastics suits with thin straps are prohibited.
3. The permissible depth of the notch on the chest is the middle of the sternum, on the back is the end of the shoulder blades.
4. The cutout of the bottom part of the leotard on the legs is not made higher than the groin folds.
5. The gymnastic suit should clearly follow the contours of the body, the skirt should not be fluffy.
6. In long suits, the fabric on both parts of the product, covering the legs, is used the same, only a difference in design or ornament is possible.

For non-compliance of the leotard with the rules, the judges remove 0.2 points.

You can create your own sketch of the product in any graphic editor or draw on paper. The sketch will be required 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. Novice needlewomen are advised to use ready-made patterns. Experienced ones can create their own variants based on basic models. Standard sizes tracksuits correspond to the size of children's clothing. The selected pattern must be transferred to paper or printed electronically. Elements of paper patterns 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 a pattern will be applied to one part, then it will be cut. The other will be used to collect items. 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 exact color matching, the front and back of the pattern are cleaved off. Similarly, the pattern is transferred to duplicate patterns.

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

To sew a swimsuit you will need:

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

When cutting, the details of the pattern are pinned to the fabric in the direction of the shared thread. The elements are outlined, leaving allowances for the seams. Cut out 1 front piece, back, gusset, 2 sleeve details. Leave a 2 cm allowance on the hem of the sleeves.

First of all, the parts are cleaved in the gusset area. In this case, the front and back parts are folded with the front side inward, the gusset is located with the wrong side up. Details hold together.

Pins connect the shoulder seams of the leotard, placing the pins at a distance of 0.8-1 cm from the edges of the fabrics. This will allow you to sew, overcast the product without removing the pins. Then the seams are made on the 4-strand overlock.

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

Finishing cutouts with latex rubber

Latex elastic is used for sewing swimwear and can be bought at major sewing accessories stores. The elastic is applied to the cutout for the throat from the seamy side, fastened to the jersey, and it is seated.

Then overlock the cutout, grip the elastic from the wrong side. The knitted fabric must be stretched when sewing. The pins with which the elastic and fabric are cleaved should be directed with their heads towards themselves. Then, when approaching the foot, they are easily removed from the fabric. Overcasting is done with 3 threads.

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

It is covered with a wide flat seam, slightly stretching the product. The pins are removed while sewing. It is important that the left edge of the stitching is located along the edge of the elastic on the seamy side, then the entire latex elastic is fixed and will not rub, bend back.

The result is a soft, flat seam.

Cutting with an elastic band

Elastic tapes are available in a variety of colors, making it easy to find the most suitable elastic for the fabric.

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

Then the tape and fabric are attached with a zigzag stitch. The jersey is stretched a little, the line goes along the inlay.

The finished edge is soft, perfect for daily workouts.

After processing the neckline, the gusset is sewn on. To do this, pin it to the cut of the front part, attach it. Then the cutouts for the legs are processed in any way suggested above.

The bottom of the sleeves of leotards for rhythmic gymnastics is tucked inward, swept away and attached with a flat wide seam. Then the side seams of the sleeves are sewn, they are sewn into the armholes. Overlock all seams are overlocked, the swimsuit is ironed. The result is a suit that fits well the gymnast's body.

Rhythmic gymnastics leotards fabrics

In the tailoring of swimwear, high-quality elastic fabrics of various shades are used.

The following types of fabrics are most commonly used:

1. Guipure. Used to decorate a swimsuit. This light lace fabric gives the image of romance, tenderness, grace. Lace is produced with small or large patterns in various colors. The elastic structure of guipure allows you to embody various design ideas.
2. Supplex is the main knitted fabric for swimwear. It has good stretch, bright colors, waterproof and durable. Matte fabrics look noble, highlight the dignity of the figure. Shiny fabrics add expressiveness and elegance to the costume. Supplex goes well with other materials.
3. Velvet. Has a thick and soft pile. High-quality fabrics are resistant to abrasion, have a special arrangement of villi, which creates the illusion of iridescent color. Velvet can be used for appliqué work.
4. Georgette. Due to the specific twist of the threads and the weave, it has high strength and crease resistance. The fabric drapes well, and airy elements of the swimwear trim are created from it.
5. Stretch mesh.

Rhythmic gymnastics leotard mesh

Mesh-stretch is most often used for sewing sleeves and the upper part of the back of leotards, making curly inserts on the sides of leotards, as a basis for appliqués and decoration with rhinestones. 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 fabrics, it is easy to cut out. The material does not wrinkle, dries quickly after getting wet, the number of washings does not reduce its elasticity. High-quality material made in Italy, Korea is not cheap, but it does not form puffs and does not require processing of sections.

Rhythmic gymnastics leotard skirt

Leotards with skirts help create a more feminine look, as well as slightly adjust the figure.

To visually make the gymnast's legs longer, cutouts are made in the hem in the skirt. There are various styles of skirts: sun, half-sun, single-layer with flounces, decorated with spirals with a strong twist, or trimmed with an oblique inlay. The basic rule for sewing is that the skirt must be tight, models similar to ballet tutus are not allowed.

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

Or a swimsuit is cut out, and the skirt is sewn on top. When cutting, leave allowances for the seams. Then it is attached to the leotard slightly below the waist with a zigzag seam. In this case, the fabric of the skirt is simply superimposed on top of the swimsuit.

How to decorate a leotard for rhythmic gymnastics

Various materials are used to decorate gymnastic leotards: sequins, beads, fringes, rhinestones. Decorative elements are sewn on, glued, or rhinestones on an iron-on basis 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, style of performance, music are also taken into account.

Beautiful costumes are obtained by applying various patterns to the fabric. The work uses special acrylic paints. First, the contours of the pattern are applied, then the elements are painted over.

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

After the pattern dries, the swimsuit is ironed from the seamy side. Rhinestones can be glued on top.

Rhinestones for leotards for rhythmic gymnastics

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

Rhinestones are glued to the cut parts before the product is sewn together.

Use a clear or white glue that is applied directly to the fabric. Glue-based rhinestones are also produced. With continuous filling of the pattern, small rhinestones are laid out, for individual elements - large sewn ones.

Rhythmic Gymnastics Leotard Applications

With the help of appliques, unusual designs of swimsuits are created. The applique elements are first cut out of paper, then transferred to the fabric. All parts of the applique are laid out on the base and pinned with pins.

Sew on the elements with a zigzag, over the base. It is important that the line runs 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, fringes are used to trim the skirt. She looks very impressive, pours and shimmers when the gymnast moves.

The color of the fringe echoes the main colors of the suit. The silky texture blends well with any fabric. Sew on the fringe with ribbons or separate bundles.

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