In Part 1 of this series, we started making this pretty unitard style belly dance class wear. We made the custom pattern and cut the fabric 🙂
In this video, I’ll show you how to assemble all the pieces and take it to completion. Let’s get started!
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How to Sew DIY Unitard belly dance class wear
Assemble the pants
First, take a matching pair of front and back pant legs and place them right sides together.
Match up the inseam which is from the crotch to the hem, and do a zigzag stitch with a 1cm (3/8in) seam allowance all the way from top to bottom. In this tutorial, I’ll be explaining the sewing part so you can use a regular sewing machine to make the unitard, but if you want to use a serger, go for it!
Repeat for the other pair of front and back panels.
Now place the pants right sides together and match up the side seams. At this point, the back panel should be sticking out at the top by 1.5cm (5/8in).
From the knee point where the leg flares out, measure 5cm (2in) and mark it with a pin or a clip. This is where the slit starts. If you want a larger or smaller slits, adjust the location as you like. You can of course sew it all the way to not have any slit.
And do a zigzag stitch with a 1cm (3/8in) seam allowance from 1cm (3/8in) from the top of the front panel to the slit mark.
So the top edge of the back panel is still sticking out, and the bottom slit looks like the image below.
Repeat for the other leg.
Now turn one of the legs right side out, and stick it inside the other, so the legs are facing right sides together. Match up the crotch section, and do a zigzag stitch with a 1cm (3/8in) seam allowance.
This crotch section has to be strong, so I recommend you do another row of zigzag stitch on the inside of the seam allowance.
Next, turn everything wrong side out, and take the elastic and cut it about 2cm (3/4in) shorter than the back side of the pants.
Align the elastic to the top edge of the back panel on the wrong side like this. The ends of the elastic should be about 1cm (3/8in) away from the edges.
Take it to your sewing machine, and do a straight stitch right about 5mm (1/4in) from the ends of the elastic.
Then align the edges, and do a zigzag stitch along the top edge of the elastic. It makes it easy to align the edges if you gently pull the layers as you sew.
Fold the elastic part towards the wrong side like this, so the elastic is encased in the fabric. And do a zigzag stitch while pulling and encasing the edge of the fabric.
At the slit area, fold 1cm (3/8in) from the edge to the wrong side, and do a straight stitch all around so we have clean edges.
At the hem, fold 2cm (3/4in) from the edge towards the wrong side, and do a zigzag stitch along the edge.
Alright, the pants of the unitard are ready. Put them aside, and let’s assemble the top.
Assemble the top
First, take the back panel and elastic. Like we did for the pants, cut the elastic about 2cm (3/4in) shorter than the width of the bottom of the back panel.
On the wrong side, align the edges of the elastic and the fabric, and the ends of the elastic are at 1cm (3/8in) from the edges. Do a straight stitch with a 5mm (1/4in) seam allowance at the ends. Then do a zigzag stitch along the edge of the elastic while pulling the layers and aligning the edges.
Fold it over to the wrong side, and do a zigzag stitch again encasing the edge of the fabric.
Now take the front panel and one of the strips. Fold the strip wrong side together, and align the raw edges to the edge of the curved section on the right side. Do a narrow zigzag stitch with a narrow 2mm (1/8in) seam allowance, while aligning the edges.
Then trim the strip, and fold it to the wrong side. Make sure the seam is a couple of mm from the fold on the wrong side, so it’s not visible from the right side. And do a narrow zigzag stitch right next to the fold of the strip.
Repeat to finish the other edge.
Now place the front and back panels right sides together, and do a zigzag stitch at one of the shoulder seams with a 1cm (3/8in) seam allowance.
Open it up, and take another strip and finish the neck like the way we did for the curved section. Fold the strip wrong sides together, and align the edges to the edge of the neck line on the right side. Do a narrow zigzag stitch with a 2mm (1/8in) seam allowance.
Then before we flip it, do a zigzag stitch along the open shoulder seam. Here, bring out the strip like this so you can sew the strip ends together too.
Trim the excess strip, fold it over to the wrong side, making sure the seam is showing on the wrong side. Do a narrow zigzag stitch along the fold of the strip.
Repeat the same process at the arm holes.
Before folding the strip over the wrong side, match up the side edges of the front and back panels. Bring the strip out and do a zigzag stitch.
Trim, and fold the strip to the wrong side, and finish sewing.
Now the top part of the unitard is ready.
Sew the top and pants into a unitard style belly dance class wear!
Place the top edge of the front side of the pants and the bottom edge of the top right sides together. Match up these edges, and do a zigzag stitch with a 1cm (3/8in) seam allowance.
And your unitard is complete! When you put it on, put on the pants first, then bend over to get into the top.
It’s fun, and comfy, and I love how it gives coverage over my torso while the flared pants make my legs look longer! We added the elastic only on the back side, so the top and pants will stay nicely but the front side looks smooth and flat without bumps!
This is such a cool belly dance class wear, great for all ages! I used monotone grey for this, but it’ll look amazing in fun colors and prints!
And in my next video, let’s add another layer and create this stretchy lace wrap top. It’s perfect if you want coverage around the arms. So subscribe to my channel or sign up for my newsletter below so you won’t miss it!
And if you want more practice pants, have a look at this Jamila Flare Pants premium course!
In this course, you can create a custom pants pattern, completely based on your measurements! You will never have to worry about tripping over your pants again 😉
Plus, there are 3 designs to choose from, so it’s a perfect course if you want to expand your practice outfit wardrobe!
Click here to learn more about the Jamila Flare Pants course!
I hope you liked this DIY unitard belly dance class wear tutorial, and if you did, please share this tutorial with your dance sisters! This cute outfit will make your lessons even more fun!
And if you make your own unitard, share your creation in Sparkly Belly’s Facebook group! It’s such a great place to share your handmade costumes, get creative ideas, and ask questions. Join us here!
And if you’re in a creative mood and want to learn to make more costumes, I’m doing a course giveaway! Learn more and enter by January 31 at www.sparklybelly.com/giveaway.
Thanks for reading, and keep sparkling!
P.S. Pin this image on your lesson outfit board!
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