Finally, a swimsuit

It seems like I’ve been working on this project forever, and when I look back it’s been well over a month since I posted about my last attempt at swimwear.  For this top I turned to a pattern not designed for swimwear but one that seemed to have all of the elements I was looking for.  While I used this pattern as a starting point, I modified a number of features, particularly changing the construction order and method.  For one thing, I hand gathered the center front seam on the lined bra top as I found I had more control doing so.  Since no zipper was required I was able to simplify the construction details further.  I created my own straps and added a raw-edge ruffle along the bottom hem since I find the stitched hems I make on swimwear fabric are often not very attractive. 

The skirt is simply an elastic-waist A-line skirt, designed as a cover-up, not swimwear, since I did not install a brief into the skirt.  I will wear the top with a solid navy short-style bottom that I already own.

I tried my suit out this afternoon at the local spray park.  Here's an action shot:

I’m really happy to have it finished, not only so I can get some wear in before the end of the pool season but also because I have several other things requiring my attention in my sewing room and I hate leaving a project almost finished.  I have really been struggling to find time to sew this summer but have found that I can sometimes steal 15 minutes in the morning before my kids wake up.  I’m pretty amazed at what I can get done during several of those 15-minute sessions.  If you are having trouble finding your own free time you might try working in little blocks of time like this.

Custom Swimwear, Aqua and Brown

I’ve been spending a lot of time at the pool this summer, something that is pretty new to me.  This probably sounds pretty silly but I don’t have a thing to wear!  It’s really tricky to find bathing attire that is fashionable (i.e., not frumpy) but provides the coverage I want these days.  I particularly like to wear a camisole-style top and boy-leg shorts.  It’s often difficult to find what I’m looking for (and without spending a lot) so I’ve decided to try making some things for myself.

I’ve got several pieces of 4-way stretch knits in my stash just for this purpose.  I have a large amount of this aqua/chocolate brown print so I decided I would start with it since I would have the chance for a do-over if my first attempt didn’t work out.  I used the Shelf Bra Camisole by Jan Bones as my first pattern.  I took a class with Jan at the Sewing Expo a few years ago and was very impressed with her knowledge of sewing with knits.  This pattern has a built-in shelf bra and separate pattern pieces for different cup sizes.  All of the edges are finished with ¼” elastic which ensures a nice fit.

I feel much more comfortable at my sewing machine than my serger, so I chose to construct this piece using my conventional machine and a zigzag stitch.  Some day I'm going to learn to use my coverstitch machine (a friend recently suggested I bring it to a sewing retreat and make it my goal to learn to use it, an fantastic idea!) but the old Stretch and Sew methods still work great.

For a first try this top is great.  I wore it to the pool over the weekend and thought it was very comfortable.  When I make another I am going to try one size larger as this one is pretty snug and I would like to see the difference.

Working with this pattern gave me the confidence to try some other tops with patterns not necessarily designed as swim wear.  I feel that I could easily add a shelf bra to other tops, and want to try one of the camisole-style tops I particularly like.  Pamela Leggett’s Perfect Tank Top (more like a cami, really) is another one I think I’ll try.  After I’ve got the tops down I’ll move on to the shorts.  Stay tuned.