Leotard Lab 1 (5hr PRIVATE LESSON)

Take your sewing skills into the world of dancewear and create your very own basic leotard from start to finish!

Leotard Lab 1 is a hands-on sewing workshop designed to teach you the fundamental construction techniques used to create a professional dance leotard. You'll learn how to work from a leotard pattern, cut your fabric, use both a sewing machine and overlocker to construct your garment, and apply elastic for a professional, comfortable finish.

This private lesson focuses on mastering the essential skills of leotard construction. Once you've mastered the foundations, you'll be ready to move on to Leotard Lab 2, where we'll introduce more creative and advanced design options.

Your Tutu Palazzo leotard pattern is included, and you'll be able to select your size from our standard size range on the day. Fabric is also included, with a choice of colours from our current stock.

Class Duration: 5 hours (10am-3pm)

Prerequisites

Leotard Lab 1 is an intermediate-level project class and assumes you have basic sewing and stretch sewing knowledge.

You do not need extensive sewing experience, but you must be comfortable working independently with both a sewing machine and overlocker.

Before attending, you should be able to:

Sewing Machine

• Identify the basic parts of a sewing machine
• Independently thread a sewing machine
• Use a sewing machine independently
• Have previous experience sewing simple projects
• Have a basic understanding of working with stretch fabrics

Overlocker

• Set up and thread an overlocker independently
• Change the thread on an overlocker
• Confidently use an overlocker independently
• Have basic experience using an overlocker with stretch fabrics

You do not need to be an expert with stretch fabrics - a basic understanding is all that is required

This private lesson is not designed to teach you how to use or set up an overlocker. Basic overlocker knowledge is assumed, as you'll be using an overlocker throughout the construction of your leotard.

If you have never used a sewing machine or overlocker before or are new to working with stretch fabrics, we highly recommend completing our introductory courses before booking this class. 

• Essential Basics: Introduction to Your Sewing Machine (1hr)
• Stretch Sewing Essentials (2hrs)
• Overlocker Essentials (2hrs)

These classes will help ensure you have the foundational skills needed to get the most out of this lesson!

Meet Your Teacher

This class is led by Deanne Cessario - Founder & Head Creative of Tutu Palazzo.

Deanne holds a Bachelor of Education, a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and has over 20 years of teaching experience. With extensive experience creating luxury dancewear and stage costumes, Deanne brings professional industry knowledge into every lesson.

Her passion is helping students understand the techniques behind beautifully finished garments while building confidence in their own creative abilities.

What You'll Learn

This hands-on workshop will guide you through the essential stages of constructing a basic dance leotard, including:

• Understanding and working with a leotard pattern
• Selecting your size from the Tutu Palazzo standard size range
• Learning how to accurately cut a leotard pattern and fabric
• Understanding stretch fabric placement and grain
• Using both a sewing machine and overlocker to construct your leotard
• Understanding the construction order of a basic leotard
• Sewing stretch seams and achieving neat, professional finishes
• Measuring, preparing and applying elastic
• Elasticating the leg and/or neckline for a secure, comfortable fit
• Understanding the foundations of professional leotard construction
• Troubleshooting common construction issues

Throughout the day, you'll work through the construction process step-by-step to create your very own basic leotard.

What's Included

• Full-day workshop from 10am – 3pm
• One-on-one professional tuition with Deanne Cessario
• Tutu Palazzo leotard pattern
• Choice of standard size range
• Fabric for your leotard from our current stock
• Elastic and required sewing materials
• Use of sewing machines and overlockers
• All required equipment
• Individualised tuition and support
• Your completed handmade leotard to take home
• Take home summary notes

What You'll Leave With

By the end of Leotard Lab 1, you'll have created your very own basic dance leotard from start to finish.

You'll understand the fundamental construction techniques used to create professional dancewear and have the confidence to apply these skills to future leotard and stretch garment projects.

Most importantly, you'll have the foundations you need to start experimenting with more creative designs.

Ready to take it further?

Leotard Lab 2 builds on the skills developed in this class and introduces more fun and advanced leotard design options.

Is This Class Right For Me? 

This class is perfect for you if you: 

• Have basic sewing machine knowledge and can sew independently
• Have a basic understanding of sewing with stretch fabrics
• Can independently set up and use an overlocker
• Have basic experience using an overlocker with stretch fabrics
• Want to learn how to construct a dance leotard from a pattern
• Want to develop your dancewear sewing skills
• Are ready to move beyond beginner sewing classes and create a complete garment

You do not need extensive sewing or stretch sewing experience. A solid foundation of basic skills is all you need.

If you're unsure whether you're ready, we recommend completing our Stretch Sewing Essentials and Overlocker Essentials classes first. These will give you the foundational skills needed to get the most out of Leotard Lab 1.

Why Learn with Tutu Palazzo?

Learn from a professional costume atelier specialising in luxury dancewear and stage costumes.

With over 20 years of experience creating beautiful garments for dancers, Tutu Palazzo brings real industry knowledge into every class.

You'll learn the techniques used in professional costume construction while receiving personalised guidance in a supportive and creative environment, giving you the skills and confidence to continue creating your own dancewear.