Saturday, June 30, 2012

The Big Reveal...That's Not As Revealing

I'd like to thank all my supporters, who encouraged me to hang in there, and especially Robbie and Rachelle, who provided me with links to useful tutorials and such. I'd like to thank my children for letting me sew uninterrupted, although they do make personal comments about my, uh, shortcomings (but only when asked for their honest opinions). Yeah, yeah, let's just get to it!

First, I'll have you know that I was ready to quit, but Pammie and Sheila commented at just the right time, so I went back upstairs and ripped that leg elastic out (a total of 3 times, if you must know). I felt better about it after I finished a leg, then Rachelle gave me some advice, and this morning I was just raring to go.

Here's the choice of bra cups. Kwik Sew says the sew-in ones can wait till last (those are the bottom ones, I guess), but they didn't do anything for me. The middle one must be meant to go inside the lining, because it itches like crazy - not a good look. So I used the top one that I cut out of an old suit, and sewed it into the side seam, then caught it in the armhole elastic when topstitching.

Here's what that looks like - and it'd sure be prettier if I didn't use orange bobbin thread. Talk about lazy, people!

I certainly still have some issues to work out. The fabric doesn't touch me at the lower back or lower ribs (see how I can pinch it out), so I have some fitting to do...

And here we go!

Woo-hoo - I'll take it!

Yo - margarita over here! (You know, to demonstrate the armhole and how I can move without it gaping or riding up.)

So I'm really just delighted that it fits decently and it doesn't ride up at all, unlike my RTW suits! Next I'm going to try and modify a 2-piece from the book into a one-piece, if I can, preferably with a halter top that I can stuff with more padding. And I'll refine my stitches, etc., but really, that elastic thing gets easier as you practice - duh! Let's say it all together: I'll NEVER buy another swimsuit AGAIN!

10 comments:

BeckyW said...

You have done such a great job. It really looks good.

KID, MD said...

Yay!! It looks awesome! The fit may not be perfect, but it looks really good and no one will ever guess you made it yourself. Fine work!

Pam said...

That is fantastic! I love the suit!

Lisa Stone said...

I'm gonna chime in, as a non-seamstress, and say it looks great! And having just come back from swimsuit shopping, I will give you big kudos for posing in a swimsuit on the internet and looking so fantastic! I gotta give you "mad props" as my kids would say--you work full time, have kids, have time to sew, and still look great in a swimsuit!

Rachelle said...

Wow, wow, wow! Awesome job. That turned out so great! You look amazing!

Junior said...

Excellent!!!

Sheila said...

Wowzer Sister... You worked it and looking fierce. Now off to the treadmill I go...

sewistafashionista said...

A bathing suit that doesn't ride up - Perfect! Your photo line-up of bra cups made me giggle. :)

Dr. Fun (AKA Sister) said...

Stop already - I'm gonna cry! Seriously, thank you all for the very kind comments. Sheila, be careful on the treadmill - I'm posting a pic of an injury I sustained on the balance ball later today. Exercise can be dangerous!

RobbieK said...

Suit looks terrific!!! Elastic does take lots of practice.