How to Embroider on Leotards

Embellish gymnastics leotards so they sparkle underneath gymnasium lights.

Most commonly used for gymnastics, dance or aerobics, leotards are worn on the torso as a one-piece garment. Made out of a snug material, such as Lycra, leotards fit very close to the body, leaving no room for excess fabric. With a moderate amount of sewing ability and a few materials and tools, you can personalize a leotard to make your garment unique and eye-catching by embroidering the fabric with multiple types of embellishments.

Things You'll Need

• Stretch needle
• Sewing measuring tape
• Fabric scissors
• Tracing paper
• Pencil
• Industrial-strength thread
• Sewing machine
• Colored fabric
• Fabric patches
• Iron-on stabilizer
• Iron

Instructions

1. Lay the leotard on a flat work surface. Analyze the garment and plan out where you want to add embellishments and embroidery to the clothing.

2. Place any fabric patches or embellishments that you want to embroider onto the leotard on the garment. Pin on fabric patches or cutout Lycra panels using sewing pins. If you are planning on embroidering by sewing a design onto the leotard, sketch it out on a piece of tracing paper to practice the scale of the design before you begin to sew.

3. Turn the leotard inside out. Any fabric patches, additional Lycra cutouts or other embellishments will stay in place if they are pinned onto the leotard.

4. Embroider the embellishments onto the leotard with a stretch needle. Using a stretch needle is essential when sewing a leotard. These needles are designed to be used with stretchy fabrics, as they will not leave run marks that a ball-point needle will on Lycra. Sew a small amount at a time because you don't want to stretch the leotard while you are embroidering it to ensure the original shape of the garment will not be distorted.

5. Place the iron-on stabilizer behind the embroidery. Whether you sewed on solid thread embroidery or a fabric patch, you will want to apply the stabilizer to protect your embellishments to the leotard.

6. Heat the iron on a low setting and gently run it over the iron-on stabilizer. Allow the stabilizer to cool before turning the leotard right side out.

References

• Threads: Sewing Machine Needles
• The Free Dictionary: Leotard
• Stretch Needle
• Selecting the Right Stabilizer