stretchy swirls

In my spare time (!) made another leotard on the weekend recently for the aspiring Olympian, Rainbow Girl. Because she’s now training several times a week, she needed another leotard. Being one for a challenge, I had wanted to do one with some swirly shaped appliques on it. Applique on stretch fabric in such a way that the stretch is not inhibited is a little challenging, so of course I wanted to try it! It worked, though it was extremely painstaking. I think I will want to improve on the technique.

I also crossed over to the dark side: I bedazzled my first garment ever! Little girls tend to like sparkles, and swirly appliqued leotards tend to have sparkly crystals all over them. So I borrowed a friend’s hot fix thingy and glued some crystals on the leotard. The idea of *gluing* things on really goes against the nature of someone who prefers all things sewn – in my mind its sort of akin to gluing up the hem of a school uniform. I know that some people do it, but I am certainly not one of them!

So, the swirly bedazzled leotard has made Rainbow Girl very happy, and looks quite professional, if I do say so myself. And no, I don’t have a photo of it, sorry!

We very much enjoyed watching the Gymnastics World Championships last week, and over the weekend. Lots of very lovely swirly, sparkly leotards, and some really revolting *orange* and *pink* leotards – yes, I am talking about the ghastly things that the Australian girls shocked us with for the team finals. Here’s a link to a photo of Lauren Mitchell in it. At least Lauren seems to be enjoying the gymnastics. Surely her smile is not for the leotard.