Transforming Tank Tops: Crafting Comfy Leotards

Leotards can be quite expensive, especially if you want something other than plain black. If you're looking for a cheaper alternative, you can make your own leotard out of a tank top. This is a good option if you want to give your little girl more coverage. You can also customise it with colour blocking or stripes. To make a leotard out of a tank top, you'll need a tank top that can close between your legs, a seam ripper, safety pins, a sewing machine, and elastic. First, use a seam ripper or scissors to cut the straps at the base on the back of the tank top. Then, cross the straps and sew them back on. Next, trim the back and sides of the tank top, and cut the crotch. Turn the leotard inside out and pin the edges for a neat line, then sew the seams. Finally, add elastic to the leg holes.

Cut the back of the leotard and work up the sides

Now that your straps are strapped down, it's time to move to the booty. You can either measure your kid with a measuring tape or just use an appropriately-sized leotard as a template. I didn't want to goof up on my $1.68 tank top with my wonky measuring abilities, so I used the latter method.

Cut the back of the leotard first and work your way up the sides. I didn't trim the sides the first time and had to rip out my seams and start over.

Once you finish trimming the sides, fold the leotard side-to-side and trim the crotch.

Fix the straps

Fixing the Straps

The first step in making a leotard from a tank top is to fix the straps. Start by cutting the straps at the base on the back of the tank top. You can use a seam ripper or simply cut them with scissors. This will allow you to adjust the length of the straps to fit your child.

Once the straps are cut, you can cross them and sew them back on. Measure the straps carefully before sewing to ensure they are the correct length. You may need to try the tank top on your child and adjust the straps accordingly. It is better to start with longer straps and trim them down as needed.

After sewing the straps, you may need to cut and trim the sides of the tank top to create the desired shape for the leotard. This will involve trimming the back, sides, and crotch area. Be careful when trimming to ensure you don't cut too much fabric.

Sew the gusset to the inside front of the leotard

Now that you have your gusset, leotard front and back pieces, it's time to assemble them. First, sew the front and back pieces, right sides together, along the shoulder seams and side seams, leaving the crotch unsewn for now.

Next, sew the gusset to the inside front of the leotard. Place the gusset and leotard front right sides together, matching up one short end of the gusset with the raw edge of the leotard front. Sew along this short edge and both sides of the gusset, leaving the other short end loose.

Now, match up the leotard back and front crotch and sew, right sides together.

And that's it! You've successfully sewn the gusset to the inside front of the leotard.

Cut the fabric

Now that you have your pattern, it's time to cut out the pieces for your leotard.

First, fold your fabric in half lengthwise. Then, place the pattern pieces on top of the fabric, aligning the long, straight edges of the front, back, and sleeve pieces with the folded edge of the fabric. If you're making a tank top-style leotard, you won't need to worry about the straps. Place the strap pattern piece away from the folded edges.

Make sure the fabric is smooth and free of lumps or bumps before you start cutting. To secure the pattern pieces in place, you can use pins or pattern weights. Insert a pin every 2 to 3 inches (5.1 to 7.6 cm) along the edges of the pattern pieces, or place a weight about every 3 to 4 inches (7.6 to 10.2 cm).

Now, it's time to cut! Using a sharp pair of fabric scissors, cut along the outer edges of the pattern pieces. Cut the front and back pieces along the fold, being careful not to cut through the folded fabric. If you're including straps, cut them all the way around. Take your time and cut carefully to avoid any jagged or crooked edges, as this will make sewing more difficult.

Remember to only use fabric scissors for this step! Using the same scissors for paper and fabric can dull the blades and make cutting more challenging.

Once you've cut out all the pieces, you'll be ready to start sewing your leotard together.

Tips for Cutting Fabric:

• Smooth out the fabric before placing the pattern pieces to avoid lumps or bumps.
• Use pins or pattern weights to secure the pattern pieces in place.
• Cut with a sharp pair of fabric scissors to avoid jagged edges.
• Don't cut through the folded fabric when cutting the front and back pieces.

Add elastic to the leg holes

Now that you've trimmed the sides and the crotch, it's time to add elastic to the leg holes. This part can be a little tricky as you are sewing in a circle and not a straight line.

Firstly, measure and cut the elastic to the appropriate length for the hole. You can make your life easier by hot gluing the elastic into a circle before you begin to sew, but be careful not to use too much glue, or your sewing needle may get stuck.

Next, sew the elastic into the leg hole. The easiest way to do this is to force the fabric into a straight line by rotating it.

Frequently asked questions