Darling, itâs January, a fresh start, a clean slate. A time to dream, and to be inspired by the glittering new year! I don't know about you, but Iâm so over that classic black leotard â Itâs a little, shall we say, dĂ©jĂ vu. This month, weâre going bold! Think "disco darling", but with a modern edge. Think dazzling, think sequins, think you. To make it a smashing success, start with a foundation in a soft shade, darling - like blush or petal pink, something feminine and flattering.
You will need: * A basic leotard in a soft blush shade. [You can get a lovely one from Freed, the colour is "Pink Cloud"] * Sequins - oh my, lots of sequins, darling! Make them iridescent. I prefer to mix it up â silver, rose gold, teal, emerald. Just enough to give a pop! * A very, very fine, thin needle (from any good haberdashery - look for one marked for âsewing silks and satinsâ) * Very fine thread â go for a silvery colour - âMetallics" is what youâre looking for, darlings. (available from John Lewis or The Knitting Shop online) * A little imagination - thatâs your most powerful tool, sweetie!
Start with the basic leotard. Weâre going to treat this as the canvas, but make sure you try it on to get the positioning right - you want it to fit like a glove, darling, no âwobblyâ areas - thatâs how you lose your line. Next, lay your sequins out on the leotard. Now, this is the fun part - the âje ne sais quoiâ - make it your own. Try a scatter of silver sequins in a random pattern from shoulder to hip, or a more symmetrical arrangement for a formal feel. Emerald greens and blues on the bodice are stunning - just imagine all that swirling! (Donât forget to keep that gorgeous bodice line open at the neck â that's essential for classic grace) Then, using that tiny needle and the shimmering thread, simply attach each sequin. It can take some time - we want them secured properly darling, but thatâs the point! We work at a different speed. Donât be rushed! This is art. This is a statement piece. Once theyâre all attached, pop on your matching shoes â it's the finishing touch, sweetheart - thatâs where we reveal our true selves! There you have it: the ultimate 2021 tutu or leotard. Just you, shimmering like a dream! I wouldn't want it any other way.