WELCOME TO THREADS IN MOTION
Threads In Motion with Founder and Designer, Colleen Elston, has been creating custom athletic wear since 1990. Skilled craftmanship, design and use of high quality materials and embellishments has garnered recognition from many athletes and their coaches as a most sought after designer.
A true artist, Colleen began this journey as an experiment in design and textiles which soon developed into a passion for the creation of exquisite and unique pieces. Initially, the focus was on dance and baton wear but has since expanded to swimwear, skating, gymnastics and fitness wear.
The opportunity to teach and share her knowledge in design, pattern making and construction has opened another avenue for Colleen to explore!
Concept
Is an idea for your design. Which is the foundation of your garment. This can start with a fabric or an image that catches your eye. I usually begin here whether for myself or a client. Knowing the end purpose for the garment is important in the designing stage. I like to create a Mood board if I’m planning on doing more than one garment or a collection.
Fabric selection
Is critical to be sure to match the design and expectations for the garment. This is particularly important in active wear or competitive designs. It doesn’t matter the quality or how much a fabric catches your eye, if it doesn’t allow the movement you need when sewn it isn’t going to work. Woven or stretch, weight, quality, pattern size and orientation are all things to look at closely. I like to know how a fabric will stand up to laundering or dry cleaning!
Accuracy in measuring
Is so important! This is best done in tight fitting tank and leggings, in front of a mirror and where possible a helper to measure the areas that are hard to reach. I start by tying a ribbon around the waist, keeping it parallel to the floor. Standing straight and tall, keep your eyes focused ahead. It’s helpful to mark the side of the body from waist to hip with a vertical line using either chalk or tape. This way you can measure the front or back from side to side with more accuracy. The key word in measuring is ACCURACY!
How to measure your Neck
To measure your neck you take a tape measure starting in the front at center of the collarbone and measure around the back of neck to the starting point.. If you have a necklace or chain you can drape it around the neck, marking the beginning and end, then measure the circumference when flat.
Neck
How to measure your Under Bust
Keeping the tape measure level with the floor, under the bust directly below the fullest part measure the circumference of the body.
Under Bust
How to measure your Hips
Measure the circumference of your hips by starting at one hip and wrap the tape measure across the fullest part of your butt, to the other hip and across the front, back to where you started. Be sure to be standing straight with shoulders back and legs together.
Hips
How to measure your Shoulder Seam
This measurement is done directly on the top of the shoulder. Starting at the neckline, right where the column of the neck stops. Measure from here across the shoulder to the point where your arm pivots. It helps to place a couple of fingers on that point and swing your arm back and forth. The tape should end just before the shoulder starts to slope downward.
Shoulder
How to measure your Girth
Stand straight and tall with shoulders relaxed, feet shoulder distance apart. Start the tape at the top of the shoulder in the middle (where a bra strap would be) , take it past the fullest part of the bust, thru the legs and back up to the same place on shoulder where you started and then press the tape flat against the small of the back. Measure both the right and left side separately and record the largest one.
Girth
How to measure your Upper Arm
Place the tape around the upper arm about an inch or so below the armpit, measure the circumference. Measure both left and right arm.
Upper Arm
How to measure your Forearm
Place the tape midway between the wrist and elbow and measure the circumference.
Forearm
How to measure your Sleeve Length
Place the tape at the very edge of the shoulder where it pivots. Draw it down the back of arm with a slightly bent elbow to the wrist bone.
Sleeve Length
How to measure your Inseam
Place tape on the inside at the top of the leg next to crotch and draw directly down to the floor or ankle bone.
Inseam
How to measure the Crotch Depth
For this measurement you will need to have a ribbon or elastic tied around the waist parallel to the floor and a seat that has a flat bottom to sit on. Once sitting straight and looking forward, measure on your side from the bottom of the waist marking to the flat of the chair. Another way to measure the rise is to take the inseam measurement and subtract from the outseam. The remainder is the Crotch Depth.
Crotch Depth
How to measure your Thigh
Place tape at widest part of the thigh and measure the circumference. This is generally about 1-2" from the top of the inseam.
Thigh
How to measure your Calf
Place tape at widest part of the calf and measure the circumference.
Calf
How to measure your Knee
Place tape in middle of knee at crease and measure the circumference.
Knee
How to measure your Bust
Starting at the side place the tape directly across the fullest part of the bust line keeping the tape parallel to the floor, moving around the body and across the back meeting up at the side.
Bust
How to measure your Waist
Place the tape around the narrowest part of the “natural” waistline. This is the area between the belly button and the bottom of the rib cage. Keep tape measure parallel to the floor and measure around the body. It's helpful to tie a ribbon or elastic around the waist as a visual for the bust and hips while measuring.
Waist
How to measure your Outseam
Standing straight and tall measure along the outside of the leg from the waistline to the floor or ankle.
You should do both legs. And when doing the inseam make sure to do to the same point ankle or floor.
Outseam
How to measure your Shoulder to Under Bust
Start tape in the middle of the shoulder between the neck and the arm, draw directly down to under bust following the fullest part of the bust.
Shoulder to Under Bust
How to measure your High Hip
High hip is about 4" below waist. Top of the hip bone in front. Place tape measure horizontal to floor and measure around the body.
High Hip
Pattern Drafting
Once your measurements have been accurately recorded the pattern can be drafted! Whether starting from scratch or working from a commercial pattern it is necessary to compare your measurements to the flat pattern pieces, adjusting the pattern where required. A good clear ruler, French curve and sharp pencil with eraser. Depending on the garment a certain amount of ease will need to be added or taken away (Negative ease).
Now it’s time to cut out the garment! If this pattern is going to be used more than once or for a group, it’s a good idea to make a muslin or sample to be sure of the performance of the fabric in the design.
Fitting
Is where it all comes together. How the design works with the fabric and how well the pattern fits will be apparent at this point. Any changes or adjustments need to be recorded and made to the flat pattern. After all the changes, a second fitting is done.
Finishing
Is when the garment is checked for threads, pressing and any embellishments are added to make the garment stand out! Once everything is completed it’s time to wear the garment with pride!!
IN THE STUDIO
I have had a needle and thread in my hands since I was 5. When my grandmother guided me through that first project, her words to me were: “If you can wear it inside out, you have done a good job”.
The greatest amount of care and attention to fit and comfort has always gone into every garment. In order to ensure that I have been able to meet those need’s, accurate measurements are essential. Each piece is sewn with performance in mind and a great deal of care in the construction. Customer satisfaction is the major goal.
Skating Collection 8
Colleen Elston
2016-07-02T09:15:45-07:00
Baton Collection 7
Colleen Elston
2017-05-03T19:51:31-07:00
Baton Collection 2
Colleen Elston
2016-06-08T18:23:55-07:00
Baton Collection 1
Colleen Elston
2016-06-06T10:43:47-07:00
Ice Skating Collection 4
CWaterfield
2016-06-03T12:46:54-07:00
Baton Collection 6
CWaterfield
2016-07-25T13:35:37-07:00
Dance Collection 5
CWaterfield
2016-05-30T11:16:25-07:00
Dance Collection 4
CWaterfield
2016-05-30T11:22:29-07:00
Dance Collection 3
CWaterfield
2016-05-30T11:50:33-07:00
Dance Collection 2
CWaterfield
2016-05-30T12:06:45-07:00
Dance Collection 1
CWaterfield
2016-05-30T12:12:57-07:00
Baton Collection 4
CWaterfield
2017-05-03T19:51:31-07:00
Fitness Bikini Collection-2
CWaterfield
2016-06-02T17:51:24-07:00
Ice Skating Collection 3
CWaterfield
2016-06-02T17:54:30-07:00
Dance Collection 7
CWaterfield
2016-06-02T18:08:06-07:00
Ice Skating Collection 5
CWaterfield
2016-06-03T12:54:16-07:00
Fitness Bikini Collection-1
CWaterfield
2017-05-03T19:51:32-07:00
Majorette
CWaterfield
2016-06-06T10:40:11-07:00
Ice Skating Collection 2
CWaterfield
2016-06-03T12:57:46-07:00
Ice Skating Collection 1
CWaterfield
2016-06-02T17:30:11-07:00
LATEST STORIES FROM THE BLOG
Colleen brought our visions to life, knowing our wants and needs even before we could articulate what that was. She pays special attention to every detail, accommodating our every request. Compassionate and understanding, Colleen ensures the dress is one less thing we have to worry about on competition day.
Karen Shepherdly
Colleen is a highly proficient seamstress and her costumes are always of extremely high quality
Stormi Dixon, Camaros Baton
I have been purchasing Colleen’s costumes, for my daughters, for 4 years now. I am always fully satisfied with the finished product, with regards to both appearance and craftsmanship. And since they are designed specifically for them, the fit is always perfect. My girls feel confident in Colleen’s costumes and receive many compliments on them. To top it off, I find Colleen’s services to be very affordable.
Suzanne Lavallee, Camaros Baton
Colleen Elston thank you for making me all of those awesome bathing suits and gowns for so many weird and wonderful events of mine. And of course the awesome baton costumes too!
Lynne Kushnirenko
CREATIVE IDEAS, INNOVATION & OUTSTANDING DESIGN
Located in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
Available by appointment only!
Thank-you!
