One of the most common problems in making a rhythmic gymnastics leotard is the appearance of "pockets" in the lower back area.
This effect completely ruins the aesthetics of the garment, no matter how beautiful the design is.
And most importantly: it's not a decoration problem, it's a pattern-making problem.
✂️ Why do pockets appear in the back?
The main cause is an excess of fabric in the waist or lower back area.
This happens when:
- The pattern is not well adjusted to the body
- Too much ease is left in the lumbar area
- The way lycra works on the body is not taken into account
Lycra should fit perfectly, with no excess.
How to fix it correctly
To avoid this problem, there is a key adjustment that makes all the difference:
Reduce approximately 1 cm on each side in the waist area of the front and back pattern.
This small adjustment means that:
- The leotard fits the body better
- Excess fabric disappears
- The back is completely clean and fitted
Professional advice
Measurements should always be taken very close to the body.
Lycra has a great capacity for elasticity, so:
- we should not add extra ease
A good basic pattern is what guarantees that the leotard looks professional on the mat.
Final result
When the pattern is well constructed:
- The back is smooth
- The leotard fits perfectly
- The design looks as it really should
Because in rhythmic gymnastics, every detail counts.
Do you want to go a step further...?
If you want to work with a professional pattern-making base, developed after years of experience in the sector, you can access my basic pattern-making kit and start designing without errors.