how do i do a stretch stitch by hand?  is there a picture somewhere? 
i am making a dance costume and i need to sew some decorative stretch
fabric on to a leotard that is made of lycra.  both materials are the
same.  just a different color.

Howdy ladyearthspirit-ga,

It appears that you can use a back stitch to do the job, according to a
post on this "Sew What's New" message forum.
http://www.sew-whats-new.com/vb/archive/index.php/t-12514.html

"I have found that if I use the good old fashion back stitch full or half
it works real well with stretch."

The "Puppetliscious Publishing" website illustrates the back stitch.
http://www.puppetpub.com/sewing.pdf

"This classic stitch works great for holding fabric together?even large
pieces that have to take a lot of strain."

This "Turbans, Tassels and Tattoos!" web page suggests and illustrates a
herringbone stitch for tasks such as yours.
http://www.annabella.net/coinbra2.html#herringbone

"The beauty of herringbone stitch is that, when used on a stretchy fabric,
it is elastic! The degree of stretch that you can get depends on how
closely you make the stitches."

If you need any clarification, please feel free to ask.


Search strategy:

Google search on: "hand stitch" stretch
://www.google.com/search?q=%22hand+stitch%22+stretch

Looking Forward, denco-ga - Google Answers Researcher