Leotard patterns, dressmaking form, storage; has anyone got recommendations?

[Katymac]

I've made a few leotards, but I wonder if anyone has any good patterns that I could buy? I think I need quite a range

Are dress making forms used any more - do they come with an ability to adjust? Are they hellishly expensive?

I'm moving my sewing into my lounge sideboard - what boxes/crates/trays do you keep everything in?

Bump

Simplicity and Kwiksew patterns are on offer at Minerva Craft.

Yes dress forms are very expensive new. A lot of old tat is sold on e-bay for surprisingly high prices. But if time is on your side, keep watching there are bargains to be had. The ones that go cheap are collection only. Its a matter of waiting until the right size and condition comes up near you.

I was lucky to get a Petit size it doesn't fit me with a first bid and its in excellent condition. Ideal for the ice skaters I'm making for now.

As for storage - all over the living room

Thanks so much - I'm getting quite excited about it all

Do you have an overlocker?

Hi Katy,
I do a lot of sewing, my DD is only six so has only been dancing a few years so not huge amounts of experience with leotards here but I like the jalie patterns for when I do.
My dressform is an adjustoform I did have to pad it to match my measurements as I am very busty it was not too expensive about £130 I think.
I always use my overlocker for stretchy fabrics it is a basic brother one.

I missed the Lidl overlocker

I've enjoyed sewing for DD but I have some time now she has left home (apparently) so i thought I may try to sell some stuff.....maybe

I have the basic Juki overlocker and its wonderful. I sew all my lycra on it and it does very professional rolled hems. My tip is put a fancy thread such as a metallic through the top looper when you roll hem your sheer fabrics and nobody will believe it homemade

I've also corded a hem with fishing line on the overlocker. The idea was to get a lettuce hem but I didn't have heavy enough line for it to work. That needs more experimenting.

fishing line is tricky - if you buy no memory line and wrap it round a big enough circle then pour boiling water over it you get a really good curl; but when I did it my curl was too small

If it works out I'll buy an over locker but I can't really afford one

I'm thinking about getting little iron on labels printed up with my name & a reminder to hand wash as the things I make are a mix of fabrics, so they might not wash well in a machine