The colder weather has come to the Northwoods, so sending little Anya into the big ole warehouse facility at gymnastics can be a bit chilly for her.

I bought some dancewear velour (thick, 4-way stretch velour and *SHINY*) during my summer shopping excursion up to the northern suburbs.  It is again…expensive…fabric.  I bought just enough to really make her a long-sleeved leotard and a pair of booty shorts.

The leotard pattern is Kwik Sew #2679, with just a few modifications.  The booty shorts are just a shortened version of a leggings pattern I drafted.  The waist has to come down and the inseam has to come up for what I did for her in the 1st pattern.

Back:

This newest session of gymnastics is a bit harder on the girl.  She moved into an Intermediate class, doesn’t know any of the girls and they are several sessions ahead of her.  The first class I was basically cringing the entire time, waiting for her to hurt something.

The teacher was telling her to do things she hadn’t even tried yet and wasn’t spotting her.  I was afraid she would break her neck!

That weekend after the first class we spent several hours working on just one move: handstand to bridge, with a kickback into standing.  After about two days of working on it, she was finally getting the landing on the bridge.  I am so proud of her!  She really worked hard to get it and didn’t give up.  She definitely has perseverance. 🙂