How to Make a Cheer Uniform
Uniforms are one of the essential pieces of any organized team sport, especially cheerleading. Matching uniforms convey the team spirit for which cheerleaders are responsible. However, ordering professionally-made uniforms can be expensive and just isn't an option for some squads. You can make uniforms yourself at home with just a few basic supplies. Assemble the entire squad on one day so you can all make your uniforms together using the same supplies.
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Things You'll Need
- Tennis skirt
- V-neck T-shirt or tank top
- Scissors
- Ribbon
- Pins
- Sewing machine
- Thread
- Felt
- Stencils
Instructions
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Start with a tennis skirt and shirt in solid colors. White is a great option since you can add any number of colors to it. Pin strips of ribbon in your school colors to key places on the skirt like the top and bottom hems as well as vertical stripes up the sides. Apply matching vertical stripes up the side of the shirt. Try attaching a large X across the front of shirt, making sure to leave room for the lettering you will apply later. If your school has several different colors, you can use different ribbons in different places or use all of them together, slightly overlapping each other. Make sure the ribbon is firmly pinned down so it does not move when you begin sewing.
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Try on the uniform before you sew anything to make sure that all of the ribbon matches up. If it doesn't, you may want to ask one of your teammates to adjust it while you are still wearing it.
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Select thread in a color that will match the ribbon so it does not stand out. Using the sewing machine, sew the ribbon directly on to both the skirt and the shirt. If you don't have a sewing machine, you can use a needle and thread for this step but it will take longer and be more difficult.
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Choose felt in your school colors. Using the stencils, trace the appropriate letters into the felt. You can use your school's initials, like "CCHS" or the name of your team's mascot, like "Vikings." Cut the letters out of the felt.
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Put on the uniform for your shirt. Have your teammate pin the felt letters on, paying special attention to make sure they are straight and centered. If you start from the center letter and work your way out, it may be easier. Take the shirt off and sew the letters on using matching thread.
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You can use the excess ribbon as shoelaces, to accessorize your socks or as bows in your hair. These small details will make sure that the team looks like a cohesive unit when you are all wearing your uniforms.
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References
- Photo Credit sewing kit image by Christopher Hall from Fotolia.com
