It was 43degrees CELCIUS (108F) in Sydney the other day and I found that the coolest place to be was my sewing room. I had got zapped the day before by some blue bottle stingers and I did not like the idea of putting on swimmers that had been soaking in vinegar to kill the last of the stingers so I made a new pair of swimmers.
KwikSew 3418 swimsuits and dress have an empire seam, they are lined at the bust, and the outside edges are finished with elastic (because if you don't everything will just fall out!) View A has optional bra cups and is gathered at the bust, sides and center front. The shoulder straps can be sewn to the top of the cups, or one strap can be tied to the center. View B & C have a deep V-neckline and gathers below the bust. (see the pic - I should have inserted bra cups LOL!!) The View C dress has a slightly flared skirt. I made View C and some briefs.
The pattern is sized XS - XL A nice multisize pattern to play with. I cut a L because I measure as a XL but I could have cut the briefs as a M.
I used a lycra remnant that I had picked up from the Remnant Warehouse in Sydney. A great little shop on Botany Road if you're ever passing by.
The instructions were easy to follow - even down to the length to cut the elastic. I used 1cm swimwear rubber and ran it through with the overlocker then used a twin needle because I couldn't be bothered rethreading for the coverstitch (it was getting hotter in the sewing room by this time)
I like the simple style as it is so easy to adapt. I cut View C shorter to make a tankini style top and then cut some briefs using the swimsuit pattern. Even though I went down a size I could have gone down one more for the briefs. They are a good cut for full rounded bottoms. I calculated the side lingth of the briefs and cut the swimsuit bottoms. When I sewed the crotch lining I just caught it on the leg edges so that when you get dumped in the surf it is easier to get the sand out. (don't you just hate the way sand gets everywhere?) I also insterted elastic in the straps so that they don't stretch when wet or get hit by a wave.
My very critical DD was impressed with these swimmers and has requested I make her the View C dress - to wear as a dress.
I have water tested these swimmers. They don't drag in the water too much when you swim and the sand does not collect too easily in the briefs. The lycra is a quick dry variety too so that's an added bonus.
A pretty cool outcome for one of the hottest days in Sydney!
Lauri Jean said... Your suit is wonderful! The fit is great and I love the fabric. 1/10/13 10:17 AM
SavageCoco said... Outstanding! 1/10/13 1:16 PM
lynne1nor said... Cute! Why are you hiding in the bush? :) And what are blue bottle stingers? Nice swimsuit. Love those Kwik Sew swim patterns. 1/10/13 4:13 PM
DaisyA said... a blue bottle is also known as a portugese man-o-war. lovely colour but rather nasty stings from their long fibre tentacles. they even sting when they're dead! 1/10/13 6:43 PM
treefrog said... Nice swimsuit and I love the photo of you 'hiding' in the bushes - really fun! Hope the sting has settled down - I still remember how painful they can be. 1/10/13 7:09 PM
ClioBklyn said... Cute suit!! 1/11/13 9:50 AM
Renata said... You have made me think maybe my swimming days are not over yet. Very flattering swimsuit. Love the fabric. Love the photo. 1/11/13 6:17 PM
carolynw said... Great looking swim suit - are you hiding ? - you shouldn't be with a beauty like this 2/2/13 6:50 PM
Your suit is wonderful! The fit is great and I love the fabric.
1/10/13 10:17 AM
Outstanding!
1/10/13 1:16 PM
Cute! Why are you hiding in the bush? :) And what are blue bottle stingers? Nice swimsuit. Love those Kwik Sew swim patterns.
1/10/13 4:13 PM
a blue bottle is also known as a portugese man-o-war. lovely colour but rather nasty stings from their long fibre tentacles. they even sting when they're dead!
1/10/13 6:43 PM
Nice swimsuit and I love the photo of you 'hiding' in the bushes - really fun! Hope the sting has settled down - I still remember how painful they can be.
1/10/13 7:09 PM
Cute suit!!
1/11/13 9:50 AM
You have made me think maybe my swimming days are not over yet. Very flattering swimsuit. Love the fabric. Love the photo.
1/11/13 6:17 PM
Great looking swim suit - are you hiding ? - you shouldn't be with a beauty like this
2/2/13 6:50 PM