Girl's Swimsuit Tutorial

Update:  You can take this pattern from a one-piece to a two-piece.  Instructions HERE.

At first I was really intimidated by the thought of trying to make a swimsuit, but with some trial and error and some help from the Creative Chicks I did it....and you can too!
A few tips before you get started:

• Take your time!  I'm not usually someone who pins a lot, but it definitely pays off for this one

• I found using a walking foot helpful

• I used a serger for some of my seams, but it's really not necessary since swimsuit fabrics don't unravel

• Do check out the Creative Chicks tips.  They have some more details on the elastic finishing etc.

OK, let's dive right in :)

Here's what you'll need: 

• around 1/2 yard (or less) of swimwear fabric (nylon/spandex or polyester/spandex)

• Swimwear Fabric at Fabric Fairy

• Girl Charlee Lycra

• swimwear lining fabric (optional)

• 3/8 inch swimwear elastic *see this post for more info on supplies 

First, download and print the pattern here. To assemble the pattern, match the dotted lines and tape together.  Then cut out the pieces.  You should have a front and back.

UPDATE:  I've put together a tutorial for making your own pattern here.  

All seam allowances are 1/2 inch unless otherwise noted.

 Cut a front and back piece laying the pattern on the fold.  In this tutorial, I lined just the front, so I also cut a front piece from the lining fabric as well (not pictured). 

Lay the back piece on top of the front piece, with right sides together.

If you are adding a lining, lay the lining piece on top of the back piece and pin at the crotch.

Sew across the crotch with 1/2 inch seam allowance.

Flip the lining piece over the seam to the front, and you've added the lining and enclosed the seam.

Sew the front and the back together at the sides with a 1/4 inch seam allowance.  Make sure to catch the lining as well, it can be slippery!

Cut 2 pieces (one for each leg opening) of elastic, 13.5 inches each.  Sew the ends of the elastic together to make a loop.

Along the front side of the leg opening, pin the elastic without stretching the elastic or the fabric.  There will be extra fabric along the bum side.  You will stretch this as you sew.  Pin the center of the remaining elastic to the center of the bum side of the leg opening.  

Sew along the edge of the elastic.  Your elastic should be flush with the edge of the fabric, mine is over a little too far.  Start on the front and stretch the elastic to fit when you get to the bum side.


 Here's what it should look like after sewing.

Fold the elastic to the inside and top-stitch.  I used a double needle.  
Do the same for the other leg opening.

For the ruffle, cut a strip of fabric that is 2 inches by 10 inches.  Gather along the top edge.  Pin to the top of the suit and then trim along the armholes.

The next step is to add elastic to the top and then enclose it.  Cut a strip of fabric 2 inches wide.
1. With right sides together, sew the strip to the top with a 1/4 inch seam allowance.
2. Using a wide zig-zag stitch, and without stretching the fabric or elastic, sew the elastic on top of the strip you just sewed.
3. Fold the fabric over to the wrong side and pin.
4. Top-stitch.

To finish the rest of the top of the suit and create straps, cut a piece of fabric 2 inches by about 42 inches.  You want to have about 12 inches on each side that will become the straps.

So, leaving a 12 inch tail on each side, sew the strip with right sides together to the top edge of the suit, just as you did before.

Then sew the elastic on top, just as before.  You can see I accidentally stretched mine a little.  Don't worry if this happens to you, it will all flatten out later.

Just like before, turn the fabric to the inside and pin.



Top-stitch.

Trim.


I like to have the straps cross, that way they don't fall down.  If you don't want them to cross, you'll have to cut them shorter.  

Pin straps about 4 inches from each side seam.

Sew in place.

All done and ready for the pool!

Pat yourself on the back, you did it!  Not so bad, right?

 A perfect fit.

Pretty ruffles.

A bum that fits!  Who could ask for more.

Definitely let me know what you think!  I put a lot of work into this, and even still, I'm sure it's not perfect.  So any and all feedback is great!

Oh, and if you're wondering about the pattern, I'll show some basic directions for tracing an existing bathing suit in a separate post.  This one was getting a bit long!

Rae's Spring Top Sewalong

It's that time of year again!  Time to think Spring Tops.  

 I haven't decided if I'm going to enter.  I was a finalist last year, which was so amazing.  I'm not sure I can "top" that.

It's been fun to think about.  I started a Pinterest Board for inspiration.

Are you planning on entering?  It's definitely a fun excuse to get those creative juices flowing and to sew for yourself.  

Can't wait to see all the entries!

And yes, I am working on the swimsuit tutorial.  Should be up later this week.

Sneak Peek and an Announcement

Here's a sneak peek at what I've been working on.  

I'm hoping to have a downloadable pattern for a size 5 and instructions on how to make your own pattern. 

But, you're going to have to wait a bit since I'm headed off on a ski trip for a few days.  

In the meantime, checkout the new "Share Your Photos" tab at the top.  I finally put together a Flickr group for Zaaberry inspired projects!  So get out your cameras and show me what you've done. 

Happy weekend.

More Swimsuit Supplies

 I may have gone a little overboard here, but I just couldn't help myself!  My local warehouse fabric store that mostly stocks home dec fabrics, happens to have an amazing selection of swimwear fabric.

If you are thinking about making one, I think what you want is either nylon/spandex or polyester/spandex, not cotton/spandex.  I'm certainly no expert, so feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.  The first suit I made was a polyester/spandex blend, but all of those fabrics above are nylon/spandex.  It's a little thicker, but the poly/spandex worked just fine and might be easier to find. 

After searching around for swimwear sewing tips, I came across this site.  I wish I had seen their tips before.  I had bought some fancy elastic that I thought was the right kind, when in fact the regular elastic I had in my drawer says right on the back that you can use it for swimwear.  Go figure!

  
Before I had a chance to really read over the Creative Chicks tips, I tried making a pair of bottoms for myself.  They came out pretty good, though a little small.  

I folded the top over twice and then did a zig-zag.  It looks much nicer than the leg openings which I just folded once.  

 

The seam flattens out when it's on my body, but is still a little wonky.  With the Creative Chicks tips in hand, I'm confident the next suits will be just right.  

Are you inspired to make your own yet?

My most recent obsession

I'm not sure why, but this is my latest obsession....making swimsuits.  My first attempt wasn't too bad.  The fabric is pretty tough to work with, but I intend to master it.  Must head to the store for my supplies.
Check back soon.  I'll share what I learn, and maybe a pattern as well. 

Cheddar Sage Biscuits

 This week, I accidentally bought 2 containers of sage.  I was making this squash soup, and somehow bought sage at 2 different stores.  I didn't want it to go to waste, so I thought I'd try my hand at some biscuits.

I used a basic cheese biscuit recipe and added the chopped sage to the butter to help bring out some of the flavor.  

2 cups white flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 stick unsalted butter-melted

1 cup milk

1 cup shredded sharp cheddar

chopped fresh sage

Mix the flour, baking powder, and salt.  Add the butter/sage, milk and cheese and mix until just combined. Drop by spoonful onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet and bake at 425F for 15 minutes. 

Butter, cheese, fresh herbs....what could possibly be yummier.

There will be more of these in our future.  Basil parmasan.  Rosemary gruyere. 

What will you put in yours?

Channeling Spring

The other night I came across a blog I hadn't seen before and was instantly inspired.  Elle Apparel has some nice tutorials for clothing and though I didn't follow any one in particular, her ideas definitely got me thinking about making more clothes for myself.  
I'm not nearly as cute as Leanne and I really hate having my picture taken, so you'll have to bear with me.

First I made this cute shirt dress.  The shirt was $10 at Target and the skirt is fabric I'd had in my stash for a long time.  It's not perfect, but good enough for a first try.  I plan on making more, once it's actually warm out.  Despite it being about 34 degrees, my husband convinced me to go outside for these photos.  True blog dedication. 

Next, I made myself a skirt. I just bought this skirt from Old Navy.  I love the fit and style, so I just traced it and made another.

Once it gets warm here, this skirt will get a lot of mileage.  I made the shirt for our trip to Florida last month. 

 

 What have you added to your wardrobe lately?  Any great tutorials out there I should know about?  I'd love to hear from you!

I don't tend to share a lot of personal stuff here.  But since it is Valentine's Day and I do have "family" up there in my header, I thought I'd take a moment to mention my wonderful husband.

We've had to deal with a difficult situation recently and it has reminded me how much easier life is when you have an amazing, supportive partner at your side.  I'm a lucky woman.

Happy Valentine's Day.

Simple Washcloth Tutorial

I don't know about you, but we always seem to have a shortage of washcloths in our house.  We use them for everything from wiping counters to washing faces.  

This tutorial is more about inspiration and a little tip since sewing a washcloth is about as easy as it gets.

I used a 100% cotton chenille that I picked up on vacation and cotton flannel. 

I made a template from my stash of file folders, 6 inches by 6 inches square.

 Lay your fabric right side together and trace the pattern.  Here's the trick.  See those 2 blue lines perpendicular to the pattern?  That's the opening and you want to actually sew on those lines.  What this does is pull that seam allowance down and make it easier to sew that opening closed when turned right side out.

 Sew just inside your traced lines and trim.

 Turn right side out and press.  See how you can't tell where the opening was?

 Top-stitch around the perimeter.  I also folded the washcloth in thirds and sewed 2 parallel lines to keep the layers together better.

 Super easy!

How cute would these be wrapped up for a new baby?

Here's to easy projects!