Learning how to install snaps will come in handy for various types of spandex costuming. Here's how I install both hollow & solid prong snaps. Look at this, writing the second blog post in less than a month, after over a year of neglect! Woo, yay me! This post is the first in a series,... Read More The post How to Install Snaps appeared first on Spandex Simplified ..read more

After months of no sewing at all, I offered to make a dress for a friend. It was a fun challenge, as it involved some traditional dressmaking techniques that I don’t often use in spandex costuming. Here’s how I made it! So, it’s been a minute, huh? Back in May, the tendon damage in my... Read More The post How I Made That: Art Deco Skating Dress appeared first on Spandex Simplified ..read more

Want to get started making costumes for figure skating, dance, etc? Here's some info on types of stretch fabric for performance costuming, and selecting the right spandex for your project. When starting off with sewing performance stretch fabrics, many people feel overwhelmed at the range of options, and the lack of information. So, in an... Read More The post Types of Stretch Fabric appeared first on Spandex Simplified ..read more

Padded applique is a fun little technique you can use in circumstances when you need a part of your design to be slightly elevated, or for the fabric of the spandex applique to be physically separated from the texture of the fabric it's being sewn onto. I’ve got a *relatively* short and sweet tutorial today... Read More The post Padded Applique appeared first on Spandex Simplified ..read more

Need to learn how to apply elastic to spandex garments? This mega post will teach you everything you need to know to do so confidently! In spandex costuming and swimwear design, you will need to apply elastic to all of the edges (openings) in order to keep the garment in place. The technique is mostly... Read More The post How to Apply Elastic appeared first on Spandex Simplified ..read more

Whether sewing for figure skaters, dancers, or rhythmic gymnasts, you'll want to know how to hem spandex. This post covers most options! This tutorial is excerpted from The “Spandex Simplified” line of books by Marie Porter, as well as "Sewing for Skaters and Gymnasts and Dancers... Oh My. All photos, & accompanying tutorial are copyright... Read More The post How to Hem Spandex appeared first on Spandex Simplified ..read more

Elastic straps are basically covered lengths of elastic, used for all kinds of strappy backs on figure skating dresses and synchro swimsuits, as well as for swimwear - especially underwired bikini tops. There are two main ways I recommend making these, and a third one that I don’t recommend. As far as the two methods... Read More The post How to Make Elastic Straps appeared first on Spandex Simplified ..read more

Waterfall skirts - also known as spiral skirts, ruffle skirts, etc - are a fun option to have in your design arsenal. Here, I show you how to plan, pattern, cut, and assemble them. Today’s tutorial goes by a few different names - and many don’t even know the name for it, and tend to... Read More The post How to Design Waterfall Skirts [Spirals] appeared first on Spandex Simplified ..read more

Bodyshirts are a popular costume option for male figure skaters: a garment that's a shirt with an attached brief. This shows how to make them. Some of the most frequent questions I get - and have, since day one - have been about making figure skating shirts and costumes for male skaters. There really aren’t... Read More The post Bodyshirts for Male Figure Skaters appeared first on Spandex Simplified ..read more

How to Draft Skating Skirt Patterns This tutorial is excerpted from The “Spandex Simplified” line of books by Marie Porter, as well as "Sewing for Skaters and Gymnasts and Dancers... Oh My. All photos, & accompanying tutorial are copyright @ 2000 - Marie Porter, all rights reserved. I've already posted about How to Draft a... Read More The post How to Draft Skating Skirt Patterns appeared first on Spandex Simplified ..read more