McCall's 5861 Bikini.

For my second item I made the McCall's bikini pattern I bought in December.

I used the 4-way stretch fabric I purchased from eBay for US$8 per yard. I bought 1 yard of this fabric and have enough left over to make at least another bikini - maybe in a different style.

My review:

Pluses:

- The 4 way stretch fabric was perfect for this project. It was surprisingly easy to sew with and didn't slip at all. It wasn't slippery against the elastic either.

- I used lingerie cups (swimwear approved) for the bikini top which I would recommend to all small chested ladies, as it creates a nice shape for the bandeau top.

- I altered the back of the bandeau top. The instructions told me to sew the back together, the result being a bikini top you had to slip over your head. Not for me. Instead I took inspiration from Seafolly swimwear and cut the back band so it became a narrow point and sewed in some plastic clips so it clips together at the back. This worked brilliantly.

- The bottoms were cut quite well. The back piece definitely has enough coverage (which I was a tad concerned about because I am pear shaped after all) everything stays in place back there!

- The biggest plus - it fits perfectly and when worn, does not look handmade at all! Saved myself $140 making these!

Minuses:

- The elastic was tricky to work with. What I found hard was stretching the elastic evenly as I sewed it on. This resulted in the elastic appearing to bunch at different spots. When worn however, this is not evident at all and the elastic and fabric is stretched evenly across the body and looks really smooth.

- I tried to be clever and sew the bottoms together in a different order than the instructions, and this resulted in side seams that are not quite perfect.

My verdict - A seriously awesome pattern for anyone wanting to make a bikini. I had this made within half a day, and it looks really cute on! Next time I am at the beach I might even take a picture for you all.

Sam xox

Itsy bitsy teeny weeny.

Seeing as it is summer and all, I have decided to try my hand at making myself a bikini. And yes, it will be polka dot!

I stumbled across Sew Happy Clothes the other day, and have to admit I have spent hours reading Meg's blog. All the clothes she has made are beautiful, and I love how she sews/knits to the seasons (knitters would love her blog too). I fell in love with Meg's tropical bikini, and just had to go in search of the pattern she made.

I'm glad I saw Meg's swimmers first before seeing the pattern, as I know that if I had seen the pattern first, I would have been put off by the bikini photographs and fabric combinations. (On a side note, I have been trying hard lately when looking at patterns to see past the colour/print of the fabrics used for the display, however I am still not good at it. Maybe I don't have a very good imagination?).

I found the pattern on eBay for $8 and it is now on its way to me.

I then went in search of appropriate swimwear fabric. The website Meg uses is an American-based one called Spandex World and had a great selection of fabrics. However, the postage to Australia was going to be $50 (yikes) so I decided not to buy their fabrics. If you do live in the US though I would seriously check it out.

After much googling with search results for 'spandex' and 'lycra' coming up with lots of unhelpful images, I turned to eBay and voila, 1 yard of this polka dotted print is on its way to me.

I am going to make bikini 'C' with this fabric. I needed lining also, and again eBay delivered the goods...

This weeks Sewing Homework is to research more about swimwear fabrics with a "4 way" stretch and work out what type of needles to use, what stitches to use, etc.

Hmm... I like the idea of Sewing Homework! Maybe I will make this a weekly thing?

Lets hope I can make this polka dotted beauty before summer ends!

Sam xox