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How to Make Leotards from a Shirt

Leotards for dance, gymnastics and various other sports can be expensive, often because they can be only bought in specialty and athletic stores. As frustrating as this might be, a leotard is essential for many activities. One way to beat the system and get an inexpensive leotard is to make one at home. Most people have some old T-shirts around the house that aren't being used. With basic sewing skills and a few common sewing supplies, these old shirts can be turned into custom leotards.

Things You'll Need

T-shirt
Tank top
Underwear
Fabric scissors
Thread
Sewing machine

Instructions

- 1
  Lay on a table a T-shirt that is big enough to reach from your shoulders to your mid-thighs.
- 2
  Lay a tank top directly on top of it, lining the straps up with the shoulders of the T-shirt.
- 3
  Lay a pair of underwear on the T-shirt directly below the tank top.
- 4
  Cut around the outline of the tank top and underwear, adding 1/2 inch all the way around for seam allowances. Cut through both layers of the T-shirt material so that you have two identical pieces of fabric when your are finished.
- 5
  Lay the two pieces of fabric directly on top of each other, right sides together.
- 6
  Sew the pieces together up the sides, along the crotch area and at the top of the straps, leaving the arm holes, collar and leg holes open.
- 7
  Fold the collar, arm holes and leg holes under about 1/2 inch. Hem them by sewing over the folded edge, tucking the raw edge of the fabric under as you go.

Sewing