Bailey recently started a tumbling class and it has been so fun to watch her learn! Before it started, I knew I wanted to buy her a special tumbling outfit since she had patiently waited for months to begin her class. But of course, after checking the stores and seeing the prices for such tiny pieces of fabric, I knew there just had to be a great pattern out there that I would be able to sew!
In my searches I came across the Etsy shop Mountain Ash Designs and loved the Unitard #2 design. And since the tumbling class was fast approaching, I needed it fast, which is the beauty of a PDF pattern download.
The pattern is for sizes 2-14, so it really is a great deal! If she continues taking tumbling or anything similar, I will be able to use the pattern again and again. I love patterns that are so useful.
On the way to Joann, Bailey informed me that she was going to pick out the fabric. And that she wanted long sleeves. I was ready to use my persuasiveness to help gear her in a certain direction for her fabric options, but when she chose this fun pinkish purplish zebra print out, I let her get it. I wouldn’t have chosen this but I wanted her enthusiasm to stick around :). And I think it’s actually really cute. Once finished and on her, I loved it and more importantly, she did.
So she chose every pose for the pictures I was taken. She showed off her somersault, her handstand, her splits, stretches, and her cartwheels. Pretty cute. Oh, and she showed off her big sister skills as well.
She even threw in a little ballet for ya ;).
Oh, I love this girl so very much. Five is such a terrific age!!!
A little more info: I loved the pattern and didn’t have any problems following the instructions on sewing. There are a couple ways to line the crotch and let me tell you, I think the way that she suggests to have the seams neatly enclosed without hand sewing is genius!
The fabric I used is most likely for swimwear. My machines (serger and normal alike) both hated the fabric. There is a rip on the sleeve at the seam that will be easy enough to fix, but still bothersome to have to do it again and then I start to worry about the entire thing. I have sewn with other four way stretch fabrics and not had this same problem, but it’s pretty thick stuff. So I have to figure out how to help this. I ended up using my walking foot to help guide the fabric through. Still finicky, but much better.
Disclaimer: I contacted the owner of Mountain Ash Designs and asked if I could sew up her pattern in exchange for a blog post and she agreed. So nice of her :). All opinions are my own and 100% honest!
You did a fabulous job! Even pattern matching. Awesome.
My daughter loves gymnastics and will only wear those unitards. What a great pattern!
~M
Thank you! It was a fun sew despite the frustrating fabric. And I agree–it is a great pattern!
It will work for now but their will be day when you shell out for the leotards. It is hard but it will happen.