Sewing for Skaters is the second title in Marie Porter's Spandex Simplified series, and is all about designing and creating spectacular and durable figure skating dresses. It combines techniques taught in two of Marie's early manuals (Skaters and Gynmasts and Dancers... Oh My! & The Skating Dress Style Book), updated with new styles and techniques... now in beautiful full color, featuring many photos and sketches.
This book is appropriate for beginner to advanced levels of sewing ability, and is written from both a designer, and former figure skater's point of view. It will teach everything from the basics, to tricks of the trade. Spandex Simplified: Sewing for Skaters will prepare the reader to design and make almost any design of practice or competition dress imaginable.
Given the cost of decent competition suits - or even practice dresses! - this manual will more than pay for itself with the savings from just one project!
The entire book is written completely in laymans' terms and carefully explained, step by step. Only basic sewing knowledge and talent is required. Learn everything from measuring, to easily creating ornate applique designs, to embellishing the finished suit in one book.
Please note: As spandex patterning and sewing techniques are largely the same across many styles of costuming, a large portion of each Sewing with Spandex title is the same/similar to the other Sewing with Spandex titles. We recommend consulting the Table of Contents for each book you're considering:
Basic Principles of Skatewear Design
- Proper Fit & Skating Considerations
- Figure Flaw Camouflage
- Designing for the Swimmer
- Designing for the Music
- Visibility
- Functionality
- Colour Theory
- Unity
- Selecting Fabrics
Pattern Alterations
- Measuring
- Using a Pattern
- Sizing a Pattern
- Adding Length
- Removing Length
- Adjusting Curve of the Back
- Adjusting the Butt Length
- Base Pattern Alteration Final Notes
Sewing Techniques
- In the Beginning
- Cutting the Fabric
- Seams
- Elastic Application
- Thread Colour Selection
- Colour Blocking
- Applique
- Lace Overlays
- Lining
- Piping
- Hems
- Zippers
- Closures
- Making Straps
Style Techniques
- Shapes
- Sleeves
- Backs and necks
- Skirts
- Leg cuts
Suit Assembly
- Bodysuits
- Basic Dress
- Applying a sleeve
- Tights
- Practice skirts
Embellishments
- Sequins
- Rhinestones
- Hand Painting
- Glitter
- Foil Embossing
Accessories
- Scrunchies
- Blade Covers
- Skate Covers
Resources
Note Pages
Porter, Marie: - "Marie Porter began sewing spandex costumes as a way to finance her figure skating training, starting at age 11. By the time she took an extended break from the fashion industry at the ripe old age of 25, she had created stretchy works of art for various entertainers, Olympic athletes, the Canadian national synchro swimteam, WWE wrestlers, and more. Marie wrote "Sewing for Skaters and Gymnasts and Dancers... Oh My!" at the age of 21 - the first sewing manual of its kind. Due to popular demand, it was followed by "The Skating Dress Style Book" a year later - focusing on pattern alteration techniques for style. She was soon touring North America, teaching people her techniques in seminars. 10 years later, those basic, black and white photocopied manuals - featuring hand drawn sketches - were combined, expanded on, and updated to become "Sewing for Skaters" - one of the first books in the Spandex Simplified series. Upgraded with more information, full colour photography, and digital sketches, the Spandex Simplified series is THE go-to resource for anyone looking to sew with spandex."
Porter, Michael: - Michael Porter (Who goes by "Porter") is a food and commercial photographer located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Porter's work has appeared in local, national, and international magazines, in catalogs, corporate websites, and as well as in many online media outlets. He is responsible for the vast majority of photos on the Celebration Generation blog, as well as all of the photography in Celebration Generation books. In addition to being an awesome husband and photographer to Marie, Porter is Celebration Generation's "Chief Engineering Officer", responsible for all custom builds, equipment repairs, and warp engine emergencies. His most recent large scale project is rebuilding the Porter house kitchen after the tornado... using lumber milled from the 100+ year old black walnut tree that landed on the house! In his spare time, Porter is an avid homebrewer and is pursuing a degree in engineering.
