Does anyone know how I can make a leotard smaller?

[MerryPoppings]

DD is 13 and has a ballet competition coming up. We have been disorganised and only just tried on her tutu and it is much too small. I managed to get a new one made really quickly but it was delivered today and it is just a bit too big!

It is made with a stretch leotard, so I think all I really need to do is find a way to make the leotard part smaller ie so it hugs her waist and hips better. The leg openings are a bit big as well but once I shorten the straps they're OK and not very visible anyway.

So...not sure if this is the right place to post but is there an easy way to take in a leotard? It's made from stretch velvet. Ibwas wondering if I could just take it in down the side seams, so folding the seam inwards a bit and then sewing the two sides together tighter. The problem is whether it will then ruin the material so I won't be able to take it out again in the future.

Just wondering if anyone has any tips/experience?

I would think with stretch velvet as long as you're careful it shouldn't ruin it.
You may be able to take it in a little round the crotch for the legs too.

We used to have a fold put in at the crotch but it wasn’t very comfortable. It did pull everything tighter though

I agree with @MargaretThursday, if you can sew a bit it should be fine. I'd have a go at that and I'm not an expert sewer.

This is where I admit that I only clicked on the thread because I mistead the title, thought you were asking how to make a LEOPARD smaller and was intrigued

Ha! Maybe making a leopard smaller would be easier than this!

So if I make a tuck in the sides or the back, and then fold it and sew it (by hand) on the inside do you think that would be OK? I'm worried about making holes in the fabric. It was expensive!!

What sort of sewing machine do you have? Are you experienced sewing? Sewing jersey is a pain in the arse - you need special needles, and a specific stitch. If you just use a straight stitch there’s no stretch and she won’t get the leotard on (or the stitches will pop when she tries). Velvet is also a pain in the arse, it slips all over the place.

You could try sewing by hand but a leotard should have negative ease (ie it is smaller than the body it is going on) so needs to stretch, your hand stitches are likely to pop when stretched or if they are very strong just prevent any stretching happening.

Oh dear...I do have a sewing machine but was planning on doing it by hand as I'm not very experienced at all.

Eek. Not sure whether to just leave it as is or try and find a seamstress by Monday?!

Is there some kind of cheat way to do it? This is probably stupid but I was wondering if I could sew a band of tight elastic on the inside so it brings it in close to her waist?

I think I'm probably out of my depth...

Can you sew an elastic belt inside attaching to the internal seams?

@MerryPoppings

Oh dear...I do have a sewing machine but was planning on doing it by hand as I'm not very experienced at all.

Eek. Not sure whether to just leave it as is or try and find a seamstress by Monday?!

Is there some kind of cheat way to do it? This is probably stupid but I was wondering if I could sew a band of tight elastic on the inside so it brings it in close to her waist?

I think I'm probably out of my depth...

Honestly, I’d suggest a seamstress. I definitely wouldn’t do the elastic inside idea, how are you going to make your stitches stretch so it goes over her hips to get it on? I also think your stitches would show very obviously.

At a push, the best cheat way would be to take it in at the side seams, as there’s not much stretch needed vertically so you might have more luck there, and it will be less obvious.