Sunday 20 June 2010

46

Pin up bathing suit

If you had told me last week that I'd be taking pictures of myself in a bathing suit and posting them online, I'd have told you to put down your crack pipe. But no, here I am only half a yard of lycra away from being starkers.

full view 2

I've never had a bathing suit that I've liked. I really, really, really wanted a pin-up bathing suit. I couldn't find a pattern. I could have bought some lovely ones online, but they cost between £60 and £100 (which is more than I spend on a coat) and crucially none of them had an underwire bra built in. I am phobic about not wearing a proper bra in a snowsuit, let alone a swimsuit. So I made one. It cost me £2 and an old bra.

layers

It has two layers with the under layer a tightly fitting sheath (ergo cinches me in) and the outer layer a ruched affair (ergo slimming eye-trickery).

bodice

The bodice is also two layers (plus the bra) with a tie that cinches the centre to make the neckline a sweetheart shape, with the ability to make it more or less modest. More, Dad, honest.

side view

Speaking of modest, the legs are very low-cut and have bands like the kid's bathing suit I made. Perhaps not the most flattering look, but I see absolutely no wedgies in my future.

full suit

This was the first time I used the triple stretch stitch on my machine and I triple love heart it; I'm never zigzagging again. You have no idea how much I wanted my suit to be the fuschia polkadot that I used for Maia's (Jamie's?) suit but thought the matchy matchiness would be too twee. Maybe I should have just made her a different one!

46 comments:

  1. oh! I love it ! Can you make me one ? I feel a new venture coming on. I would need industrial strength tummy holding also. xxx
    karen

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  2. VERY cute and flattering. I like the green on you.

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  3. Ooooo - that is so flattering and I love the neckline and - everything about it! Well done!

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  4. *wolf whistle* that is fabulous... and reminds me of the one that was on the swimsuit page of the Target site.. well except that one was red and looked useless for keeping abundant boobies in place.

    tis beautiful, flattering and fantastic...

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  5. What a fantastic body and the most fabulous swim suit I've ever seen. If you start selling them I'd also love one, I go with Karen on the tummy holding though!

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  6. That looks great! I have made a few swimsuits, but haven't ventured into ones with a proper bra. Did you use a pattern, or draft it yourself?
    I love the neckline.

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  7. I adore that I really do. I would love something similar, but with some inserts where my boobs used to be. That is truly amazing - you are one talented lady. Plus you look stunning

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  8. That's beautiful - I wish I had more time before going on my holidays as I would definitely like you to make me one!

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  9. I don't understand half the text in your post, but the pictures look great.

    You are so talented! Have a great holiday!

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  10. Amazing! I love it. The colour is fab, I am only brave enough to do black swim suits these days.
    x K

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  11. That is absolutely gorgeous!! Well done, I also think you are super talented. Gorgeous and the cossie too ;)

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  12. Holy Moses! You need NO slimming trickery my lovely - spankalicious indeed. I can't believe that is your first attempt!!

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  13. Wow, it's amazing! And I think wedgie-proof bottoms are definitely the way to go. I personally would buy your Big Pants (in an adult size obviously!) over other shop styles in a flash, and even more so when 'exposed' in a swimsuit!

    I've been reading your blog for a while now, thanks to Skippedydoodah's recommendations, but I don't think I've commented before, so Hi!

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  14. Oh my gosh, that is fabulous!!! It looks amazing on you. Nice work!

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  15. You are a genius and I am jealous. When are you taking commissions?

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  16. Is there nothing that you can't make?!! Its looks amazing. well done. Really suits you.

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  17. Wow - you are a clever bunny (and a brave one to strut your near nudity on t'internet! But then you don't need any cinching in so don't know what you're worried about, slimbo) And no more wedgies! Genius. Love it.
    PS I've had to change my blog from beach hut - see new address below. Think you have to stop following then start following again otherwise I am lost forever! Thanks, L xox
    http://ellethornton.blogspot.com/

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  18. Brilliant, i read your blog and can't help feeling envious of your ability to sew anything it would seem.

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  19. Phwoar! Now that is one hot costume. You will be hounded by hunks wishing to buy you cocktails and oil you up with sunscreen I'm certain of it! xx

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  20. Your finished result - as always - is gorgeous. And so are you.

    I'm glad you have it, now, and I hope you'll enjoy wearing it.

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  21. LOVE it! I dug out my swimsuit last week and realised it's well past it's best....are you open to commissions?

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  22. I do think you should cut the leg slightly higher but the boobies are fabulous! And I think you'd look great in a red one.
    xxx

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  23. christ alive I WANT ONE.
    you are so clever - seriously.
    i think you should make a pink polka dot one too!

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  24. Your suit is really cute. Great job!

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  25. Dangit! I've been working on one for weeks and finally threw it in the drawer in disgust today, and there you popped one out in a day! It looks FABULOUS - you are amazing with elastic and lining and fitting and the whole bra thing - WHAT?! Do I take it that you drafted this yourself since you said you couldn't find a pattern? I may have to break mine out again - your derriere coverage is inspiring...

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  26. WOO HOO!!! *whistles*!!!

    If ONLY I ever had the guts to put on a bathing suit. Wait, I can't even swim :S

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  27. this looks amazing! :) I love pinup swimsuits, this one looks even better than the expensive ones in the shops. :)

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  28. Oh. My. God. That is fabulous! I'm assuming you drafted it yourself from your comments, so even more fabulous. Will there be patterns or a tutorial forthcoming when you're back off holiday?

    Plus, wow! You look really great in it too

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  29. That is one amazing swimsuit! Yowzer!

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  30. Ah It's fabulous!!!

    You see I have taklen to swimming in a pair of mid thigh cycling shorts and a racer back cycling vest..... it is the only way that I don't feel paraniod about wobbly bits in the pool (and I know i don't have many.. my main problem is a bad self-image rather than actual fat bits).
    It makes me look very practical and I look like I'm a proper swimmer - hat and goggles anyone? - but it's hardly stylish. Yours wins hands down!

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  31. You are brilliant & exceptionally talented, and it looks fab on you! Enjoy your jollies!

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  32. ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

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  33. I would kill for that swimsuit!

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  34. Oh this is just fabulous!!!!!!! LOVE IT. You really need to make a pattern for it and sell it. Really. It is slimming and it holds the girls up so well. Very flattering!! You look awesome in it!

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  35. its fab and you look fab in it, soooo jelous! pattern please!

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  36. Right. Where do I sign up? That is the swimsuit of my DREAMS. Ger-rowl.

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  37. this is absolutely gorgeous. love the colour/style/background info in the post. well done to you. bridgetx

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  38. looks great!! thanks for the inspiration. i've been saying i want to make my own for years!

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  39. What an amazing swimsuit. The cinch front is so flattering in the bust. I can't believe you made that. I'm inspired to try to make a suit for my little girl. I won't even try one for myself... sewing for a 6 year old involves a lot less curves.

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  40. Add me to the list if you ever start to sell these. Love it!

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  41. Wow, you look 'HAWT' (said in best immitation American accent.)Love it.

    B x

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  42. Alright I'm trailing a year behind with my comment, but I have to say you did an amazing job! When I stumbled upon the pics of your bathing suit my reaction was,'Awesome, my search for the perfect bathing suit is over!' ..but then I realized it's one of a kind & I cannot buy one :( It looks awesome on you, enjoy it!! :)

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  43. All the pictures are missing, saying that they are unavailable :(

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