Bathing Costume Progress

So. I fiddled around with bra (swimsuit w/ under-wire) making and decided it passed my skill and patience level. 

Looks ok, now try sewing that to a band, without everything rippling horribly. Ha!

I decided I'd really rather have a one piece any way. Enter the Alison Pattern from BurdaStyle that I mentioned last post.

 I've been making mods as I go. I lowered the leg holes and cut one of each "body" piece normally. Like lining. Then took the front piece, cut it in three and  lengthened by say 18"  to give the gathered look. So far, so good. I doubled (DOUBLED!) the size of the chest piece.... this may have been overkill. In the picture below it (the chest bit) is mostly pinned in place I am going to have to sew those pleats on the side in some way to get the under-boob bagginess fixed. I am pleased so far but haven't hit any of the hard stuff yet, like attaching the bra to the suit. I guess that's kind of cheating but....

  Also, I am pleased to learn (don't laugh) that my machine has not one but six (SIX!!!) stretch stitches, not to mention all the fun stetchiness to be had with a double needle!  I guess for as long as I've been sewing I'm still have soooo much to learn.

P.S. Can any one tell me their experience with a ballpoint needle versus the "stretch" needles? Seems to give  the same results, either way, at least no skipped stitches!

Boobs, and Swimsuits

Here's the deal. I'm a 36G. A friend of mine introduces me to people as "Casey, the one with the huge boobs I was telling you about." While a lot of people would be happy to be so well erm endowed, but it creates a constant challenge to find clothes that fit, bras that don't cost a small fortune (or look like your grandmother's undies) and in summer, swim suits. Let's not talk about things like jogging or playing sports. lol. I've become a fan of Ali over at The Wardrobe, Reimagined , so when she  proposed a (pick your own garment) sew-a-long for June I knew what I wanted to make. Enter the vintage inspired bathing suit. 

I've toyed with the idea of modifying the Alison pattern  from Burda Style because it's adorable and lets not forget free. It will need a lot of modifications. A bathing suit is daunting on it's own I am faced with the additional challenge of making sure it has proper support for my ridiculous chest. I picked up this adorable suit at Figleaves.com a few weeks ago

It really is that cute in person.

I looked it over for a while and decided it's basically a bra with extra fabric over the cups. So logic goes that with the parts of an old bra I should be able to recreate the look with a retro spin. So I've been ripping apart an old bra with similar lines, for he last 45 minutes to salvage "parts". I'll be working a mock up in the morning wish me luck! 

Summer Sewing

I'll admit I'm a nut about dresses when the mercury gets above 85 degrees. They keep you cooler than anything else you might wear and you never have to worry about matching tops and bottoms. Instant outfit! Bam!

Simplicity 2362. Sewed up like a dream in two sewing sessions. I will be making more of this pattern for sure!

 

Another Simplicity pattern by Cynthia Rowley. Honestly the binding/neckline trim bit gave me fits, after a few times picking seams I decided it looked okay, and left it. I love the pattern and have two more dresses made up in just jersey but because of the neck binding, they're around the house wear until fixed grrrr. I am proud of my first invisible zipper (as sorta seen in the pic on the right) with pockets! had to read the directions to figure that one out! lol.

Felt flowers!!! found the tutorial here.

http://icandyhandmade.blogspot.com/2011/03/tutorial-box-fold-felt-flower-tutorial.html  

Someone stop me before I add these to everything. 

I also dug Erik's Regency Tailcoat of Doom out of purgatory. And got the sleeves on. As in set where I want them! It's been sitting for four months  (okay maybe six) and I honestly I've lost direction on it.... it's so franken-patterned I'm not sure what I need to do next but... well it's a step. Maybe the collar... the velvet collar.... I shudder to think of it. 

 Next up Butterick 6582. The fluffy one on the left, I think. With a new petticoat. mmmmmm

Maybe in this? maybe not.

Anyway I'm leaving you with this. This little bugger is growing on me. Don't die of cuteness.