How to Make Your Own Cheerleading Uniform Without a Sewing Machine
Cheerleading has a history dating back to 1869, from a game of football between Princeton University and Rutgers University. By 1898, many universities had pep clubs and team cheers that spectators would yell to encourage enthusiasm. You can honor tradition by making a cheerleading uniform without a sewing machine. Instead of sewing, this project uses store-bought clothing with embellishments added to create a cute and authentic-looking uniform. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Tank top
- Skirt
- Cotton shorts or full cut underwear
- Grosgrain (fabric) ribbon
- Curling ribbon
- Fabric glue
- Felt
- Iron on letters
- Sequins
- Cardboard tube
- Poster board or construction paper
- Hair ties or rubber bands
- Tape
- Scissors
Instructions
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Top and Skirt
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1
There are many different kinds of uniform tops. Choose the style that you like best. Attach ribbon trim on the tank top with fabric glue in the design you have chosen. Let dry. Attach the team letters or logo with fabric glue. Add any embellishments or design elements at this time.
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2
If you are adding ribbon to a pleated skirt, cut the ribbon the same width as the pleat and attach on the outside. Glue ribbon trim to the bottom or side of the skirt. Once the glue has dried, add other embellishments such as sequins or letters.
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3
Buy cotton shorts that are shorter than the skirt or full cut underwear that is the same color as the skirt, to make briefs that are worn under the skirt and over underwear. You can purchase these briefs from a cheer supply company or a department store. Attach embellishments such as sequins, letters and ribbon with fabric glue.
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4
Try on all of the uniform pieces. Move around to ensure that none of the added pieces fall off with normal use. If an item does fall off, secure with fabric glue or hand sew it back on.
Accessories
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5
Hold the end of a spool of curling ribbon to make pompoms, then wrap the ribbon under your bicep and up to your hand. Do this by flexing your arm as if you are showing off your muscles. Hold the top of the loop in your palm. Wrap the ribbon around 50-60 times. If a shorter length is desired, wrap the ribbon around a smaller object such as a book. After you have wrapped the ribbon, carefully take it off your arm. Cut the ribbon in half at the top of one end of the loops. Thread the ribbon through a hair tie. Secure with a second hair tie or long piece of ribbon. Tape the ribbon-covered hair tie to a thick piece of cardboard or toilet paper tube with electrical tape. Run the ribbon through your fingers to add volume to the pompoms.
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6
Cut a large sheet of poster board into a circle to make a cheer megaphone. Cut a small circle in the middle of the cardboard circle. Cut a straight line from the edge of the poster board into the middle. Wrap the poster board circle into a cone shape. Secure with tape, glue or staples. Attach a loop of poster board to the side to add a handle. Secure it properly or it could tear during normal use.
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7
Accessorize plain tennis shoes with colored ribbon for shoelaces. Cut a length of ribbon as long as the shoelaces from the shoe are, and thread through the shoe like shoelaces.
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Tips & Warnings
You can opt to hand sew instead of using fabric glue.
To prevent the fabric ribbon from fraying, singe the ends with a lighter or seal the ends with clear nail polish.
There are many cheer supply companies on the Internet featuring pictures that you can use as a reference to make an authentic-looking uniform.
Purchase many of these items at an athletic supply store.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Thinkstock Images/Comstock/Getty Images Digital Vision./Valueline/Getty Images Digital Vision./Digital Vision/Getty Images
