The Post That Will Cause My Mother To Shake Her Head Disapprovingly

6.21.2014


So,  I'm essentially posting pictures of myself in my underwear on the internet.   I think that officially qualifies as a new low.  Even Ben, who's usually up for anything, seemed somewhat skeptical when I asked him to take these pictures.  And as I press publish on this post all I can hear is my mom yelling, "Carolynnnnn!"


But enough about my internal dilemmas.  Let's talk about bathing suits because I've been thinking about them for quite some time now.  You see, Ben and I just booked a trip to Mexico for our ten year anniversary and that got me thinking about how my newest bathing suit is actually older than my marriage.  And with that I figured that it was about time for a new swimsuit.  I ended up taking advantage of an on-line sale and ordered about 10 suits to try on at home and I had settled on keeping one when I came across this post, resulting in me becoming slightly obsessed with the idea of sewing my own swimsuit (something that I said that I would never do).  The next day I packed up all 10 swimsuits that I had ordered and sent them back to the store.  And a week later I bought the Soma Swimsuit Pattern by Papercut Patterns.  I decided to make version 1.0 (a wearable muslin) with leftover swimsuit fabric from the girls' bathing suits and I was on my way.  I hope to eventually make both versions of the two piece bathing suits because I think that they're both incredibly cute, but I started with version one because it seemed simpler and luckily it ended up being pretty straightforward.  And that's the thing about swimsuits - they're actually much easier to sew that you would think.  But in case you're looking for any tips for sewing your own swimsuit (do it!), here's what I learned along the way.


1) Cut your lining ever so slightly smaller than your outer fabric.  I didn't and I ended up with some bunching on the outer fabric on both the tops and the bottom of the bathing suit (although it's much more noticeable on the tops).  Not attractive.

2) The pattern calls for bra strapping but you'll be fine if you can't get your hands on some.  I ended up contacting Papercut Patterns for alternative suggestions to bra strapping but I never heard back from them so instead I relied on my experience from sewing the girls' bathing suits and I just sandwiched 1/4 elastic between fold over elastic and it seemed to work great.  Definitely more time intensive than just cutting bra strapping but sometimes you just have to use what's on hand.  On a side note, I did eventually end up ordering bra strapping and a couple other bathing suit making supplies from Sew Sassy and I was incredibly happy with their service.

3) Speaking of bra strapping and bra rings I don't think the pattern notes what size to buy.  I bought 3/8" bra strapping and 1/2" bra rings and I'm happy with both sizes.

4) I ended up sewing cups into this version because Lord knows that I can use all the help I can get in the chest department.  I literally just sewed them onto the lining.  Not sure if that's technically how you're supposed to do it but it seems to have worked.  Unfortunately, you can ever-so-slightly see the cups through bits of the white fabric.  Better that you can see the cups than something else I suppose.


Oh, and in case you're wondering, the fabric and lining are both originally from Girl Charlee and I sewed 95% of the suit on my regular sewing machine.  I just used my serger to sew the outer and lining fabric together but you could definitely do that on your regular machine if needed.  Also, I ended up sewing a size XXS for the top and XS for the bottom.  I was in between sizes on the bottoms but closer to the XS size so I ended up going with that.  Not sure if that was the right decision or not, but it seems to have worked out okay.

All in all, I think that my swimsuit obsession will continue.  Prepare to see lots of picture of me in my underwear swimsuit!

PS - Taking pictures of yourself in a bathing suit kind of sucks.  Also, having to take pictures of your wife in a bathing suit also sucks.  At some point Ben yelled "I kind of want to fire myself!"  Sorry, Ben.  I promise to be nicer next time.

PPS - I'd like to thank iPhoto for fixing my pasty white skin - otherwise known as my "Pacific Northwest Tan"

22 comments:

  1. The suit looks really great! I've been eyeing the pattern but wasn't sure about it since I'd like cups in it, but it looks like adding them will work out just fine (like you did). Also, bra strapping is the most difficult to find! I found a little at JoAnns in the trim by the yard section, but only in black.

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  2. well I think you look great! hot mama!

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  3. Carolyn, you are smokin'! Look at those abs! The swim suit looks great on you. Super sexy. Your husband must have had a hard time keeping his hands on the camera. ;)

    Can you believe we live in San Antonio and have never vacationed in Mexico? I hope you'll tell us all about your vacation. I would love to know more. :)

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  4. haha! This post made me laugh. I love this on you - very cute indeed. With a figure like yours you should have no qualms about swimsuit shoots in future.

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  5. Very professional looking swimsuit and super brave (and impressive) photos. Have fun in mexico!

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  6. Anonymous22.6.14

    I just wanted to pipe in and say... its just a body. Everyone has one, and we all get equal doses of awesomeness and uselessness with each one. If you want to make great swimsuits and put photos up you totally should! Don't be worried/ashamed/scared... at the end of the day, it really is just a body!

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  7. If I had your bod I would totally be happy to put swimsuit photos on the internet :) More to the point though, this is all in the interests of sewing, and the fabulousness of what you have made here would not be as evident if not on an actual body. And omg, you and your girls will have matching swimsuits, how ridiculously adorable!

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  8. what a cute suit!! i have been oh, so tempted after seeing so many versions of the bombshell suit!! perrfect pattern parcel had it for sale last month and the ig pics of it and blog posts were such fun to read. it looked dynamite on so many body types. have you seen it? (http://www.pinterest.com/thatmoxiegirl/official-perfect-pattern-parcel-inspirations/)

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  9. you look great!! and it doesn't look like underwear lol. supercute suit

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  10. chiming in - you really do look fantastic! you had two kids? i don't believe it! anyway the swimsuit looks fantastic too, this one is really intriguing me. so modern. and having now made a swimsuit for Em, I'm working up to maying my own too...maybe...someday...haha.

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  11. Super cute!! And I second Jane here - we need to see what it looks like on an actual person! As it happens, it looks fantastic on you. Have a great time in Mexico!!

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  12. What a fun pattern--if I hadn't sworn off bikinis, I'd be tempted to try it. I did bite the bullet and start altering my swimwear tops to make them fit better--it's not all that hard, and made a big difference in my happiness with store-bought suits. (Although I always pray that the tops don't fall apart while swimming. That's a lot to trust to my sewing skills!)

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  13. where is your tummy after having two kids?

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  14. You and your suit are both adorable! I have fabric picked out for this pattern and am just trying to source the notions. I understand not showing your rear view, but did you find the cut to be quite high in the back? I'm in love with this style but am a little worried about that. I found bra strapping on etsy as well as fold over elastic and bra rings. Can't wait to get started!

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  15. Dear god if I had your body I'd plaster it all over the internet (headless), but, yeah, people don't need to see my rolls of pasty white skin o.O

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  16. I didn't find the cut too high in the back although I wouldn't consider it full coverage either. Maybe somewhere in between. Lauren has a great pic of the backside that might help you.
    http://lladybird.com/2014/06/04/completed-the-soma-swimsuit-v1/
    I'm excited to see your version!

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  17. You are KILLING this swimsuit! Like seriously KILLING it! All these amazing soma's are really inspiring me to get my machine in gear!

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  18. How do I love your post? Let me count the ways! Truly a great blog! Love the concept, the sewing aspect, pattern....I could go on and on. I am at least your Mom's age -- and tell her to Suck it Up if she has complaints.

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  19. Love your swimsuit! I never thought I would consider sewing swimming gear for myself, but this is definitely a pattern that I reaaally like, so I just might try this. Thanks for all the extra info, I would be clueless!


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  20. This really inspired me, I am blown away by your confidence. Since having my little girl I haven't even thought about wearing a swim suit again let alone making one. Challenge accepted! Thank you :)

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  21. I love it! You are totally rocking it! The fit is perfection!

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