Sewing Leotards and Swimwear

Sewing leotards can save you a lot of money particularly if your kids are regularly competing in dance, skating or gymnastics. It is also extremely rewarding and really is much easier than you think. Once you have made a couple of leotards or swimsuits and learned some simple techniques, you will be confident enough to start creating unique costumes you will be proud of. If you are looking to sew some leotard or swimsuit patterns, here is a guide to get you started.

First, you are going to need a pattern. Once you have the basics mastered you will slowly get confident enough to hack patterns to make your own custom creations. If you are a first-time leotard sewer I recommend #4 for a leotard or #1 for swimwear as they are a great basic pattern with nothing tricky.

There are more to choose from in my pattern shop. Shop ALL leotard sewing patterns.

: Leotard Pattern L504

: Leotard Pattern L507

: Leotard Pattern L503

: Leotard Pattern L505

: Leotard Pattern LU03

: Leotard Pattern L509

: Leotard Pattern L510

: Leotard Pattern L5U01

: Leotard Pattern LU04

: Tops Pattern #3

Where to Buy Spandex and Lycra

If you are stuck where to buy Spandex and Lycra for your leotards and swimwear then why not buy online. Here is a guide to some great online shops selling stretch fabrics.

How to Sew Spandex with a Regular Sewing Machine

You don’t need a fancy serger or cover stitch machine to sew leotards. Learn all the tricks and tips to get great results with just a simple zig-zag stitch and your regular machine.

How to Make a Leotard

If you are ready to start sewing leotards or swimwear then read this basic guide to construction.

How to Sew Elastic in Leotards

After you have constructed your leotard you will need to attach elastic to the legs and neck area. Learn how to sew elastic in leotards to get a professional result.