Sew an electrifying drag queen ensemble with our Long Sleeve Leotard Sewing Pattern, featuring large power spike shoulders and an optional bust peekaboo cutout! Designed for the bold and daring performers, this pattern is a fantastic addition to your wardrobe, allowing you to flaunt an unforgettable silhouette on stage. This accessory top is perfect for drag artists looking to make a statement. Crafted with stretch fabrics, this leotard promises both dramatic flair and comfort.

Sizing Details

This pattern is available in our unqiue drag queen sizes (XS-4X). Please review our sizing guide for more information on our size measurements.

Sizing Guide

Fabric Suggestions

Suitable for stretch fabrics:

Miliskin
Spandex
Stretch Sequin
Lycra
Stretch Knits
Stretch Vinyl

Notions

20" - 22" inch invisible zipper
Lingerie foam or ultra firm interfacing for shoulders
Optional: Tear-away stabilizer for zipper
Optional: Double folded bias tape for peekaboo

Fabric Yardage

This pattern requires the use of non-stretch fabric. Please find the yardage needed for each size below.

Sizes	Fabric width 58”	Interfacing width 20”
XS	1.50 yards	2 yards
S	1.50 yards	2 yards
M	1.50 yards	2 yards
L	1.75 yards	2 yards
XL	1.75 yards	2 yards
2X	1.75 yards	2 yards
3X	2 yards	2 yards
4X	2 yards	2 yards

For information on converting inches to meters, please check out our conversion guide.

Yardage Conversion Guide

Sewing Instructions

How to sew a power shoulder sleeve leotard sewing pattern for drag queens

Fabric Pieces

After cutting your fabric, you should have following peices: one seamless front, one seamless back, 2 sleeves, and 2 collar peices.

Stitches

For this project, the recommended stitches are a serger overlock stitch, a stretch stitch, or a zigzag stitch. A straight stitch may cause the threads to snap and is not advisable.

STEP 1

Hem the optional peekaboo bust cutout and hem around the hole, or use a double folded bias tape.

STEP 2

Take the front piece and the two back pieces, with right sides facing each other, and pin them together at the shoulder seams. Sew along these seams.

STEP 3

For the collar, place the two pieces right sides together and sew along the top, shorter curve.

STEP 4

Then, turn the collar right side out and place a pin in the center.

STEP 5

Lay the front and back pieces right side up and pin the collar around the neckline with the center pin matching the center front, keeping the collar upside down. Serge or sew in place.

STEP 6

Insert a 16-20 inch invisible zipper along the center back opening starting at the collar. The right side of the zipper should face the right side of the fabric. Use a straight stitch with a zipper foot for sewing. For a flat zipper finish, you may use a tear-away stabilizer between the zipper and the fabric.

STEP 7

After attaching the zipper, fold the excess fabric at the top of the zipper vertically and hand-stitch it down to secure this fold before proceeding.

STEP 8

Next, fold the zipper tape horizontally and pin in place, ready for topstitching. Repeat the same steps on the opposite side.

STEP 9

Topstitch around the zipper sides to reinforce and neatly finish the edges.

STEP 10

Attach the back bottoms to the lower part of the back piece with the zipper, sew them right sides facing each other.

STEP 11

Your 3 back pieces should now be sewn together.

STEP 12

Gather 2 sleeve pieces. Depending on your fabric you may need to install interfacing or foam to the shoulders to keep the shape. Use the line guide on the paper pattern to cut your interfacing from the elbow to the armpit. Depending on your type of interfacing you can either pin in place or press on with an iron, to the wrong side of the fabric.

STEP 13

To create one sleeve, stack 2 pieces right sides facing each other, with the interfacing pinned or fused on, and sew or serge along the outer pointed edges of the sleeve down to the armhole. Repeat for other sleeve.

STEP 14

Spread out the front and back right side up and gather your sleeves.

STEP 15

Align and pin the sleeves around the armholes, right side of the sleeve facing the right side of the front and back, using notches as a guide. Each sleeve curve is symmetrical, so there's no designated front or back. Serge or sew the sleeves in place and repeat for the other side.