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Mastering your patterns
Mastering The System.
Creating your own designs.
Manual 4.0, learn the secrets,
and professional techniques.
No more guessing about size.
No more inconsistencies from pattern to pattern.
No confusing multiple size lines that just get in the way.
Create a professional looking dress, in a few easy steps!

Specialty Sportswear Patterns are not simply graded up from one set of drawings. Each size grouping can fit many different bodies because the pattern itself takes into consideration the development and maturity of that age group and body type. The patterns are printed on heavy 20lb bond paper with clear lines for easy trace-transfer to pattern fabric Pellon. Once you have measured your performer and selected a size, apply your measurements and make your changes. Then within a few easy steps you are ready to finish fitting your outfit. If you are an experienced or beginner sew'er you will find it easy to leverage patterns from the same size group. Create new designs easily because all of the designs in that size group are based on the same fitted bodice pattern. This means you can mix and match almost any pattern in the same size group. Set-in sleeve to set-in sleeve, raglan to raglan, and skirts with the same inset line. You can find out more about The System below, and as always if you need help or have any questions please, contact us.

    SKIRT INSET OVERVIEW

    Learn about the skirt inset lines below.

  • The skirt can set the feel of the entire design and the inset to the bodice is most important. It can make the body look it's best. Specialty Sportswear has over two dozen skirt applications and 5 major inset lines to fit any and all your needs. The Traditional-200 patterns have the deepest V and they are packaged with a Triple Circle, C-3 skirt and a Single Circle, C-1 skirt. The A-line-400 patterns has a shallow rounded drop to the middle. These patterns are packaged with an A-line Skirt and a Single Circle, C-1 Skirt. The Tulip-500 patterns have an inset line with the shallowest V and they are packaged with the flat panel Tulip Skirt and the Single Circle, C-1 Skirt. From these skirts come the rest of the skirts seen in the Unique 800 dress patterns. The Angel patterns all come with a six panel gored skirt that falls from the bust area and flares at the hemline. The Tunic patterns are packaged with an a-line type skirt the initially falls from the shoulder. See below, there's many skirts to choose from.

  • 200, 400, & 500 INSET SKIRTS

    These inset lines can be found in the Traditional patterns, A-line patterns, Tulip patterns, and the Unique patterns.

  • Single Circle, C-1Skirts.

    The Single Circle, C-1, skirt has a very stylish flare to the hem line. There are no seam lines in the C-1 skirt, just a circle of fabric that fits neatly into the bodice. It is the least full of the Circle Skirts and makes a statement that gives an air of sophistication, control and assuredness to the total costume. A great skirt for a skating test dress, or for a twirler's strut costume or for a rhythmic gymnastic routine. The C-1 can be layered in several colors to add a bit more whimsy to the dress. The longer C-1 is very popular with both dancers and dance skaters. The longer C-1 skirt complements any dance routine. The C-1.5 is a long skirt and starts to add more flare at the hem line. There are seams in this one because it goes beyond the first circle.

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  • Double Circle, C-2 Skirts.

    The next step to a fuller skirt is the Double Circle, C-2. Here the hem line becomes fuller. It shows off well in a spin, it can be very flirty and definitely flitty. Not to say that it can't be dramatic…it can! Cut the drop in on the back fold line for a more formal presentation. The layered C-2 has two layer lengths represented by cut lines on each of the pattern pieces. Although, the C-2 skirt...

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    Double Circle, C-2 Skirts.

    is only two circles at the hem line the construction of the skirt is in four panels.The front panel is one circle, the back panel is the second circle, the third circle is split and inserted as the side panels sitting in between the front and back panels. Any circle skirt consisting of 2 or more than circles is set up in this way. There is never a seam sitting at either front or back mid points.

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  • Triple Circle, C-3 Skirts

    The Triple Circle, C-3 was the original skirt first developed by Skatewear. The C-3 adds the cut-line to make the shorter skirt for layering and the drop-lines on the back fold line which gives more length at the mid point of the back skirt. There is an up-cut to the hem line approximately half way between the front mid line and the side mid line. This gives elusion of length to the back line and leg…very, very elegant...

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    Triple Circle, C-3 Skirts

    The motion that this skirt creates is not only dramatic but exciting! Use with a classical piece or an up-tempo jazz number…this skirt can make the statement. The C-3 skirt is three circles at the hem line. The construction, like the C-2, is in four panels. The front panel is one circle, the back panel is the second circle, the third circle is split and inserted as the side panels sitting in between the front and back panels. Any circle skirt consisting of 2 or more than circles is set up in this way. There is never a seam sitting at either front or back mid points.

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  • Tablecloth Skirt

    The 800 Tablecloth Skirt is a variation on a C-1 skirt that has been squared. The layers are single squares that can be cut in different colors of fabric and layered for effect. Or use the same color of the layers to amplify the fullness of the skirt. It's fun to play with. The first time we did this skirt it was for a performance of Tinkerbell in a school play. It has become a very popular skirt and we have included it with many of our Unique patterns. The second part of the skirt is a combo of the two single layers. This adds a third layer which can be used with one or both of the two single squares. Or, by itself this skirt gives the tattered effect look without having to use multiple little strips of fabric.

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  • The Draped Skirts

    The skirts are all Princess in their attitude. They are Snow White and Cinderella wrapped up into one skirt. The construction uses pieces and parts of several skirts. Both are open in the front like a cut-away but there is an underskirt to fill-in the front. One has a doubled gathered swaged over skirt and the other is a swaged under skirt. They both say the same thing…I am a princess!

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    DRAPE GATHER SKIRT
    DRAPE CUT SKIRT
  • A-line

    The A-line is the second panel skirt added to the System. It was introduced with the 400 inset line. The inset is shallow and rounds to the middle; there are no Vs front or back. Although, we have developed the A-line with the front and back Vs in the A-line Combo. This skirt can also be left open on the side seam. It is very easy to lengthen as well as layer in shorter multi skirts. The back of the skirt can be cut to a flatter hemline or dropped at the back mid-point for that flirty skirt. Also, the front mid-point may be dropped to give a very different look to the overall skirt. Great for the test dress, sophisticated, assured.

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  • Kick pleats and Cut away

    The first kick pleat skirt we developed was the Tulip Side Kick Pleat. The Tulip skirt became extremely popular very quickly, the skirt at the side seam could be left open at any point along the seam. Very playful, very different when it premiered. But, there were those skaters, dancers, twirlers and gymnasts who wanted the effect of the open seam but a cover under the opening. For that we went to the standard "kick pleat" application. Wow! A great skirt! We then applied the pleats to a double front kick pleat sort which can be a single pleat if you want. These two skirts are our first offers to our "Cheer" clients with more to come. The A-line Wrap is another very popular faux wrap that our dancers really go for, skaters too. The Cut-away is the genuine article, used by many of the twirlers I designed for over the years. Skaters, for special performances, used this skirt. We had Dancers use this skirt with a bustled effect in the back…it is a very versatile skirt. This skirt is a C-3 with the front panel removed. Has the pizazz!

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  • Tulip

    The Tulip skirt was the first flat panel skirt we did oh so many years ago and it, like the Triple C-3 skirt, has been one of the two most favored skirts. It an understatement in itself but what an impact it makes. You can put it on any design looking for any-to-many a theme and like a chameleon it make the change you want. This little skirt can be layered, you can pull one layer up to make an easy drape,

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    Tulip

    the side seam can be stitched at any point along the seam line for flit and flirt. You will be very happy with this skirt. The Tulip-RS is the skirt many of our Roller Skaters have asked for…it's the Tulip with a front mid-line drop just like the mid-line drop in the back. Dancers like this look too! They just lengthen the mid-points a bit more...

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  • Relief Cut

    These skirts are designed for individual dresses in the Unique section of patterns. It doesn't mean you can't use them with another bodice…you can! Just match the bodice inset and magic, presto you have anew creation. Some of the relief work is set on a regular C-1 skirt to give a great contrast to the relief design. Also, the relief layer can be used for a short very flirty skirt Or, lengthen it if it is needed. Beading along the hem line is another way to really show off the relief work. The beads weight the skirt and that changes the motion of the skirt. It doesn't floe but rather darts and dips, a much more decisive movement. Extremely dramatic, very eye catching.

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  • TATTERED

    Every performer has at one time or another had to have a side drop in their outfit. Here we have added several side-drop designs to give you the choices to create that special design. The first side drop, flat panel, is offered as an "Add-On" and can be used with a wide variety of bodices because it has a cut-line for the 200, 400, 500 bodice inset line. The tattered side drop, flat panel, is a one-of-a-kind because the bodice inset is off-set as well and easy to modify for any other bodice. The Circle has a side drop is based on a C-1 skirt with the side drop, which you can drop on either side with some manipulation of the pattern. This skirt is fun, flirty and very popular with a wide group of performers.

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  • Side drop

    Every performer has at one time or another had to have a side drop in their outfit. Here we have added several side-drop designs to give you the choices to create that special design. The first side drop, flat panel, is offered as an "Add-On" and can be used with a wide variety of bodices because it has a cut-line for the 200, 400, 500 bodice inset line. The tattered side drop, flat panel, is a one-of-a-kind because the bodice inset is off-set as well and easy to modify for any other bodice. The Circle has a side drop is based on a C-1 skirt with the side drop, which you can drop on either side with some manipulation of the pattern. This skirt is fun, flirty and very popular with a wide group of performers.

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  • 800 INSET SKIRTS

    These inset lines can be found in the Angel patterns and the Tunic patterns.

  • Angel

    The Angel has become a very popular design with our dancers and skaters. The inset line for this skirt cut brought the bottom of the bust line, it doesn't drop under the bust. The overall proportion of the dress can be controlled nested of the bust line controlling the dress. The line of the Angel skirt is a bit fitted to the middle but flares at the hemline. It can give a nice long look for the body, it can be slimming as well. It is a very feminine dress and it is easily to use for those romantic and dramatic performance interpretations. See it coupled with the Tunic skirt is the Wendy, a very versatile, very popular skirt application.

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  • Tunic

    The of the Tunic sort is fitted much like a traditional dress. The middle starts to flare just below the waist, close to the top of the hip. The over skirt drops from the shoulder, designs are cut in and the skirts may start at different levels along the upper bodice, but over all the skirt falls from the shoulder. It can give a nice long look for the body, it can be slimming as well. The Tunic gives a much more tailored look to any design. There are many changes that can be made to the hemline: lengthened, dropped side or back, tattered or draped.

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    SET-IN, RAGLAN & SEAMLESS SHOULDER

    To sleeve or not to sleeve, that is the question? Specialty Sportswear has a wide variety of sleeves that are easy to make, the icing on the design, can be the finish to a great dress design...

  • We offer several designs in three different types of sleeves. The standard set-in sleeve, the raglan sleeve and the seamless shoulder sleeve. The set-in sleeve is the easier to deal with and therefore the most popular sleeve. In our System all Set-in Sleeves of a size group are all interchangeable. That goes for the Raglan Sleeve as well. We have Full, Bell, Short, Long, Glove, Fnger Extension, Angel, Triple Puff, etc. What ever we could think of that made our dress designs more interesting, the icing. The Seamless Shoulder Sleeve is more a sleeve that belongs to the dress design that it comes with. It doesn't mean you can't use it with another design…you can. But, you will have some altering to do. We have the sleeve design to complete any of your design ideas.

    BASIC BODICES

    There are basic patterns within the SSW System. The Fitted Bodice with the In-set Sleeve and the Raglan Bodice with a Raglan Sleeve. These patterns come in the Leotard-100, Traditional-200, A-line-400 and the Tulip-500. There are basic patterns with both sleeve adaptations in both the Unitard-301 and the Dresstard-300.

  • The two main basic patterns are the "Fitted" and the "Raglan". The Raglan Bodice is shown above. Both patterns have no design in bodice, a blank slate. These dress patterns allow you a chance to try your own designs. The Fitted bodice pattern comes in two patterns the Mini-Pro M000 and the Fitted M001, the sleeve for this bodice is a shoulder inset. All Inset Sleeves in each size grouping is inter-changeable. The Raglan is the same bodice but has sleeve inset across the bodice from the bottom of the arm hole to the mid-point along the neck line between the mid-point and shoulder seam. All Raglan sleeves are inter-changeable.

  • BODICE TYPES

    Our bodices are separated into approximately twelve categories:

  • Halters

    Halters, sweetheart halters, strappy halters and more halters. These designs are really hot for both practice and competition. Great for a bathing suit project. We started with our raglan sleeve and cut down or cut out the back. There are halters strapped simply around the neck or hooked at the neck with decorative strapping in the back. Some have a sleeve attachment at the bottom of the arm hole for just that added attraction.

  • Geometrics

    Geometrics allow for multiple colors and fabric textures that make a strong, striking statement. We have Geometrics in long or short sleeve or no sleeve at all. Triangles, squares, oblongs integrated into one design. Some designs involve the entire bodice others only part of the bodice. These are great designs for groups or partner performance.

  • Tuxedo-Military

    These designs are fun to do. Tuxedo dresses are used quite often for test dresses. They are a bit more structured in their design, well balanced, firm. These designs give the impression of success, authority and they say no-nonsense allowed. Likewise, the Military designs reflect the same. Many of the designs were originally done for skating teams and cheer groups. They were done in traditional colors of the school, organization or team. These designs are strong, forceful and powerful…makes you want to come to attention and do some marching!

  • Princess

    The first Princess dress we did came from the panic of a mom who's daughter couldn't get into her costume just before the meet. We were lucky to match some of the fabrics. We lengthened the bodice with a gusset beneath the skirt inset line and shorten the long sleeves to a lace edged short puffy sleeve. We added a longer skirt and used the original skirt as a drape for the top skirt. The mom was relieved, and the skater looked like a princess. After that meet we were besieged with “Princess Dress” requests. A large grouping of Princess Dresses have come aboutsince then. Laced edges, smocked bodice fronts and draped skirts are available to make your princess' a special dress!

  • Sundress

    Sundresses are always fun designs to do. They are akin to the halter designs but they are just a bit different. The designs are light and airy, scooped out backs, cross back straps, little shoulder ruffles, and shoulder ties to name a few of the design elements. Many of these dresses have been used for practice time. Maybe you wouldn't think that they would do well for competition…but, use velvet and lace, sheer skirts and ribbons. WOW! It is amazing how a cute little sun dress becomes the favorite dress for a very important performance. Again, take a look at these dress designs and just imagine!

  • Crop & Tank

    The Crop Top has been very popular year to year, same goes for the Tank Top. These designs are standard and are repeated over and over in many designs for both practice outfits and competition costumes. The Crop Tops allow you to use several colors in the same garment, keeping the attention to the top of the dress. The Tank Top are very sporty, they too have make great competition costumes. If you play tennis or swim the Tank Top patterns will allow you to design your own attire, this opens up so many design ideas for the courts or the pool.

  • Stripes

    Stripes are the easiest way to give a plain bodice some pizzazz. One stripe or many, multi color or different types of fabric for texture mixing. It is a great way to create a special effect. We have horizontal stripes, vertical stripes, off-set stripes, wide stripes, narrow stripes, rainbow stripes, arced stripes, sleeve stripes, all kinds of stripes. Start with one of our designs or use the Fitted Bodice and stripe your own creation... make it special!

  • Drama and theme

    Many of our designs are done with a particular theme in mind. After all, many of the performances rely on a great piece of music…classic, contemporary, or modern. The design of the bodice then becomes a compliment to that musical theme. Color and texture are important to that theme demonstration of the design as well. The sewing for some of these designs is a step above and introduces new techniques for executing more intricate designs with tighter corners and arcs. Very expressive, open up your design ideas with these patterns.

SYSTEM CONCLUSION

The System is the tool to make your design ideas into successful performance costumes for skating, dancing, gymnastics, twirling, cheer, swimming... any performance activewear! Create professional looking costumes in a few easy steps!

 

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