beautifulshell
Bombshell swimsuit
This is Closet Case Files' Bombshell swimsuit pattern. It's my first time sewing a bathing suit, or anything spandex, for that matter, and I was a little terrified. I powered through, though, because from the moment I saw the first tester suit, I said OMG I MUST HAVE THAT NOWWWWW! I bought fabric and supplies from all the places Sallieoh linked to because I didn't want to do my own research and I wanted this suit NOWWWWWWW. I'm super happy with the fabric; it feels very high quality and was easy to sew with. I did at least put effort into going to three stores in search of stretch needles (can people stop trying to tell me they're the same thing as ballpoint needles already???).
I think started this last Friday or Saturday night, and I finished today. A week, for any sewing project, is miraculous for me. This really is an easy pattern. I think I ripped out at least four or five seams, but that was 95% me not following instructions, or going too fast and sewing folds into my lining, or something equally annoying. Now that I've made one, I think I could put another together in much less time.
Other deets: I cut an 8 and graded down to a 6 at the bust. I lengthened the lining by 1.5" and the ruched pieces by 2 3/8" or something like that. I'm 5'8", and I think this was just the right amount for me. Next time, I might remove a tiny bit of width from the front ruched piece, and add a tiny bit more stretch to the backs of the leg holes. Also, I did this on a regular machine with zigzag stitch, and it's pretty clean inside. I did enclose the crotch seam, as Heather notes in her sewalong, so that's one less exposed seam.
I haven't been swimming yet (I'll have to so I can take pictures of me in this somewhere other than on my lawn) so I don't know how this feels wet, but I feel like a million bucks strutting around my house. ONE MILLION DOLLARS. Love it. And to think, it cost me less than half of what J.Crew would have got from me this year otherwise!
Bombshell swimsuit
This is Closet Case Files' Bombshell swimsuit pattern. It's my first time sewing a bathing suit, or anything spandex, for that matter, and I was a little terrified. I powered through, though, because from the moment I saw the first tester suit, I said OMG I MUST HAVE THAT NOWWWWW! I bought fabric and supplies from all the places Sallieoh linked to because I didn't want to do my own research and I wanted this suit NOWWWWWWW. I'm super happy with the fabric; it feels very high quality and was easy to sew with. I did at least put effort into going to three stores in search of stretch needles (can people stop trying to tell me they're the same thing as ballpoint needles already???).
I think started this last Friday or Saturday night, and I finished today. A week, for any sewing project, is miraculous for me. This really is an easy pattern. I think I ripped out at least four or five seams, but that was 95% me not following instructions, or going too fast and sewing folds into my lining, or something equally annoying. Now that I've made one, I think I could put another together in much less time.
Other deets: I cut an 8 and graded down to a 6 at the bust. I lengthened the lining by 1.5" and the ruched pieces by 2 3/8" or something like that. I'm 5'8", and I think this was just the right amount for me. Next time, I might remove a tiny bit of width from the front ruched piece, and add a tiny bit more stretch to the backs of the leg holes. Also, I did this on a regular machine with zigzag stitch, and it's pretty clean inside. I did enclose the crotch seam, as Heather notes in her sewalong, so that's one less exposed seam.
I haven't been swimming yet (I'll have to so I can take pictures of me in this somewhere other than on my lawn) so I don't know how this feels wet, but I feel like a million bucks strutting around my house. ONE MILLION DOLLARS. Love it. And to think, it cost me less than half of what J.Crew would have got from me this year otherwise!