How to Make a Skating Dress

What girl isn't mesmerized by the twirling antics of Olympic ice skaters or skaters in the many "on ice" presentations? The dazzling, sparkling costumes catch the eye as much as the dance moves and gymnastic maneuvers that are incorporated into many of the skating routines. Popular music is the background for rocking presentations of dance and blades. Some skaters are watched more for their skating ensembles than for their talent on the ice. Whether for presentation purposes in skating recitals, or just for pretend play, this skating dress ensemble will make your skater stand out on the ice.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Leotard
• Tulle or lightweight satin in matching/contrasting color to leotard
• Child fabric measurements = 3x waist measurement x desired length on leg plus 2 inches
• Teen/adult fabric measurements = 3x hip measurement x desired length on leg plus 2 inches
• Narrow elastic
• Sew-on sequin trim in silver or contrasting color
• Needle
• Thread matching sequin trim
• Thread matching tulle/satin
• Sewing machine
• Scissors
• Tape measure
• Straight pins

Bodice/Suit of Skating Dress

1. Place leotard on flat surface. Measure neck opening and sleeve cuffs.

2. Measure and cut sequin trim according to neck/cuff measurements.

3. Pin sequin trim around neckline and cuffs.

4. Hand stitch sequin trim around neckline and cuffs.

Skirt of Skating Dress

5. Measure waist of skater.

6. For tulle: turn top edge down two inches and sew creating a casing for elastic. For satin: turn top edge down one inch and sew creating a casing for elastic.

7. For satin: hem bottom edge using a one-inch seam allowance. Hand stitch sequin trim to hem if desired.

8. Sew sides together, leaving elastic casing open.

9. Cut elastic to waist measurements. Thread elastic through skirt casing. Sew closed.

Tips & Warnings

• Sequin appliqués in swirls and other designs are available at craft stores for hand sewing onto leotard bodice and shoulders. Swirls can be made from the sequin trim, pinned into place and hand sewn. Multiple layers of tulle can be sewn together as a stacked layer for extra fullness. For a multi-tone effect, use two or more shades of tulle in alternating color layers. A matching sequin choker can be fashioned with a strip of sequin trim measured to skater's neck. Sew snaps to the ends of the choker. If using a short-sleeved leotard as your bodice/suit, matching sequin cuffs can be fashioned out of multiple strands of sequin trim, hand-sewn together. Use a strip of Velcro or snaps to close the cuffs around skater's wrists. If in a pinch or lack appropriate sewing skills, sequin trim or appliqués can be glued to the clothe with a glue gun, but these results are not washable as the glue separates from the fabric.

References

• US Figure Skating Association