Tutorial Tuesday: Gymnastics/Ballet Leotard

With the GB Olympic gymnastic team getting an incredible 6 medals and hopefully inspiring young boys and girls to take up the sport, how about making a leotard for the special girl in your life?

This brilliant tutorial from Dana of Made Everyday with Dana is perfect.

Using an existing swimsuit as a template, Dana guides you through the process of making a leotard with just a metre of Spandex (you could also use Jersey Rayon or Cotton Lycra) and some fold over elastic.

As you can see, the finished leotard looks amazing, and Dana's daughter certainly put it through it's paces...I'm sure we'll see her at Tokyo 2020!

You can use Spandex/Jersey Rayon Spandex or even Cotton Lycra for your leotard.  A few of my favourite picks below - 

For more ideas, patterns and tutorials, follow Girl Charlee's board on Pinterest.

For more ideas, patterns and tutorials, follow Girl Charlee's "Patterns & Projects to Try" board on Pinterest.

Don't forget to sign up for our email updates to keep up to date with all our New Fabrics, Sales, Giveaways and all our Knitty News!  The sign up box is top left of the blog. 

Happy Sewing!

~ Jen & The Girl Charlee Team

New Fabric Friday + August Knit Picks + New So Zo Pattern!

New Fabric Friday is here again and we have 3 beautiful new knit fabrics in stock available to buy right now - 

1.  Another beautiful floral for our collection, this time a cotton jersey in minty green with stunning  pink, coral, blue and yellow roses.  Perfect for a cute Girl's Striped Swallow Designs Boheme Sky Dress (there is also an adult version here).  See our full floral fabric collection here.

2.  A lightweight cotton jersey with plum grey stripes.  Why not use it to make a cute Zsalya Top or Dress from Kate & Rose?

3.  White and blue anchors on a navy cotton lycra, very nautical!  This would work great for a So Zo Cordelia Maternity Camisole (see below)! 

Click on your favourite above to be taken to the site, or click here to see all our latest New Arrivals.

It's also time for our August Knit Picks and once again we have so many wonderful makes to choose from!  Every article of clothing you can think of - shorts, dresses, tops, skirts, jackets, leggings, it goes to show how versatile knit fabric can be!

Keep sharing your pics via Instagram / Facebook / Twitter (don't forget to tag @girlcharleeuk or #girlcharleeuk), or email them to us [email protected]. 

If you see something you like here, why not make your own!

Item: Gabriel Tank Top by Marie Poisson (French Book Coudre Le Stretch)

By: @carmencitablog

Blog:  Carmencita B

Fabric: Bittersweet Red Gingham Cotton Jersey Blend Knit Fabric

Items: Mara Leggings by TKB Studio

By: @chrichrimano

Fabric: Bright Neon Ethnic Cotton Spandex Blend Knit Fabric

Items: Wren Dress by Colette Patterns

By: @hellozoeb

Blog: Hello Zoe B

Fabric: Ivory Dots on Black Cotton Spandex Knit Fabric

Item: Moneta Dress by Colette Patterns

By: @the_vintage_cake_

Fabric: Red Orange Heather Grey Half Inch Stripe Cotton Jersey Blend Knit Fabric

Item: Lark Tee by Grainline Studio

By: @sew_susie

Blog: Sew Susie

Fabric: Black and White Stripe Cotton Jersey Blend Knit Fabric & Isabel Stripe Mallard Willow Cotton Jersey Blend Knit Fabric

Item: Moneta Dress by Colette Patterns

By: @rach_wain

Blog:  Rach Against the Sewing Machine

Fabric: Taupe Daisy on Black Cotton Jersey Blend Knit Fabric

Item: Concord T-Shirt by Cashmerette 

By: @pemblebee

Fabric: Bird Silhouette on Heather Grey Cotton Jersey Blend Knit Fabric

Item: Bettine Dress by Tilly and the Buttons

By: @nancysews

Fabric: Jewel Roses on Ivory Cotton Jersey Blend Knit Fabric

Item: Aurora Tank Top by Seamwork

By: @picperficuk

Fabric: Black Brush Splatter on Taupe Cotton Spandex Blend Knit Fabric & Taupe Floral Dot on Navy Blue Single Spandex Knit Fabric

Item: Gilet Monceau by Cozy Little World & Self Drafted Skirt!

By: @mamemimoblog

Blog:  Ma Me Mi Mo

Fabric: Off White Lattice on Black Ponte De Roma Knit Fabric

Item: Child Pants & Princess Ragamuffin Dress by Little Finch Patterns

By: @luanpessall

Fabric: Black Triangle Squares on Off White Ponte De Roma Knit Fabric (Back in Stock November), Quilt Squares Mint Yellow Brushed Cotton Spandex Knit Fabric & Persian Pink Solid Cotton Spandex Knit Fabric
(All from long quarters in our Mystery Mix, amazing work!

Item: Kielo Wrap Dress by Named Clothing

By: @frockandsew

Blog:  Frock and Sew

Fabric: Magenta Grey Watercolour Cotton Jersey Knit Fabric

Today we have a new pattern release from the wonderful 

So, Zo... What Do You Know?  

So Zo patterns are the creation of Zoe Edwards, an established blogger, creator of the popular 'Me Made May' challenge and sewing teacher for TIlly and The Buttons, MIY Workshop and The Village Haberdashery. Zoe has been sewing for 20 years, her passion is to inspire people via her clear instructions to make their own stylish, wearable clothing and develop their own handmade wardrobes.

The new Cordelia Maternity Camisole is beautiful, comfortable and simple to make. Perfect for the final trimester of pregnancy.  

We love this version, made in our Stag fabric!

Check out these and other beautiful patterns at GirlCharlee.co.uk.

(This time we promise!)

Sign up to our email newsletter to keep up to date with all our new fabrics, competitions/ giveaways and all the Knitty News! The sign up box is top left of the blog or on our website.  

Happy Sewing!

~ Mark & The Girl Charlee Team