FINISHED! Bombshell swimsuit

After a lot of hand holding with the sewalong..my bombshell swimsuit is finished! Phew! This is one lovely pattern which is not only nice to wear, but importantly is very very  forgiving to some very amateur elastic sewing and gathering!

Hats off to people who can sew swimsuits and leotards because my sewing is not great on this. I am not a fan of 'invisible elastic'.  It was never where I thought it was going to be.  Urrgh, next time I will have to buy something that I can see!  

But having said that, it does come together reasonably easy and I'm glad in the end I went with this fabric bought from Tessuti as it was nice and thick and relatively easy to work with.  The lining on the other hand was a slippery nightmare.
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The instructions call for the elastic at a 1:1 ratio across the bodice. 80% stretch is optional.  I'd say do it.  Stretch it!  I did a ratio that was closer to 90% and it was too gapey.  Way too gapey. It could still be less gapey but I didn't want to unpick again.

I also inserted cups into the swimsuit.  I struggled a bit to get the cups in straight and even, as the lining was already attached to the fabric. Next time around I'll mark things out better. I wouldn't mind a little bit more lift in that area but I'm happy for a first attempt.

And what great bottom coverage.  I'm not going to do any behind shots, but rest assured there is lovely coverage of the bottom

All in all, a better fit than my store bought ones and I love this style on me.  If I can deal with the elastic I'd definitely make these again.

So, after all that talk, here it is.  The front 'skirt' is pulled down quite a lot, but obviously you can wear it  higher.  I'm looking forward to testing it out in the water rather than outside on the deck (in the evening, in the middle of winter!!).
Bombshell in 'Where are You' fabric
♥
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46 comments:

  1. Scared StitchlessJune 26, 2013 at 10:25 PM

    You are BRAVE wearing this in the heights of winter and in Canberra no less! It looks stunning on you and I love your choice of fabric.

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  2. Kirsty BunfieldJune 26, 2013 at 10:35 PM

    Thanks so much! I am wearing ugg boots.. so I'm a little bit warm and it was only for a second. I thought the light might make me look less pasty!

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  3. JoJune 26, 2013 at 10:41 PM

    well done! It looks great - and photographing in the dark was an inspired idea!

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  4. MichelleJune 26, 2013 at 10:57 PM

    Ooh you are BRAVE! and it looks lovely. Go you!

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  5. Kristy ChanJune 26, 2013 at 11:03 PM

    Gorgeous fabric, it's a great colour on you and the ruching is very flattering. I made a swim suit once and getting the elastic right is really difficult, but as you say it's worth it to get a better fitting swimsuit than you could buy

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  6. GailJune 26, 2013 at 11:40 PM

    Very cool! And boy are you brave for going out in the cold to model it!

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  7. ThewallinnaJune 27, 2013 at 12:38 AM

    Brave indeed! The fabric nicely matches your skin tone and your hair! I was itching to buy the same fabric when I saw it on Tessuti site a few weeks ago, but taking into account my current stash, I pulled back. Hope to see you wearing this swimsuit in the real "swimming condition" next summer!

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  8. mercheJune 27, 2013 at 2:34 AM

    Oh, la,lá! You look amazing! The print of your swimsuit looks great on you. How do you do that! All your fabrics are always great! :D
    You did it! Mission acomplished. And the outcome couldn´t look better. Hat off...to you!

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  9. Heather LouJune 27, 2013 at 3:42 AM

    I could not love this, or that fabric more. And I'm sure your heiny looks magnificent.

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  10. laurencelumbJune 27, 2013 at 5:21 AM

    its lovely and i really feel like making this swimsuit for my holidays now!

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  11. Kirsty BunfieldJune 27, 2013 at 6:54 AM

    Thanks Kathryn. This really is the most fabulous design!

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  12. GjeometryJune 27, 2013 at 7:06 AM

    SUPER-FANTABULOUS! I love the bombshell pattern, and think your fabric choice was pefect! Looks really good. Go forth and swim!!

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  13. SharJune 27, 2013 at 11:02 AM

    I agree with merche, you always make the most beautiful fabric choices! I wish I could have you choose my fabrics for me. This looks so great on you and the color is perfect! I've worked a little with clear elastic, but I'm a bit worried that if sewing this up was tricky for you, I may be in real trouble with this one! We'll see as I hope to get to this before my vacation in August.

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  14. sewamysew.comJune 27, 2013 at 12:35 PM

    Wow! I looove that fabric!! Go Tessuti. It looks great on. I find it so hard to motivate myself to sew for summer in winter so hats off to you.


    Ps Do I see a peak of ugg boot in this shot??

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  15. JenniferJune 27, 2013 at 1:19 PM

    This suit looks amazing! Kudos to you for working with all of that slippery stretchy fabric.

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  16. katherine.peterJune 27, 2013 at 8:01 PM

    Bring on the sunshine! Have fun swimming in your bombshell!

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  17. ClaireEJune 27, 2013 at 9:53 PM

    Frankly, I'm in awe of anyone who sews their own swimsuit! This is wonderful and well done for keeping on with the slippery fabric.

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  18. Kirsty BunfieldJune 27, 2013 at 11:00 PM

    Thanks Claire !

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  19. Kirsty BunfieldJune 27, 2013 at 11:00 PM

    Thanks Katherine, can't wait to test it out.

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  20. Kirsty BunfieldJune 27, 2013 at 11:00 PM

    Thanks so much Jennifer :)

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  21. Kirsty BunfieldJune 27, 2013 at 11:01 PM

    Ha ha ha. You bet you did. Gotta keep the feet warm!

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  22. Kirsty BunfieldJune 27, 2013 at 11:02 PM

    Oh Shar, you'll be fine. You are a better sewer than me and if you've worked with clear elastic before you'll nail it.

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  23. Kirsty BunfieldJune 27, 2013 at 11:02 PM

    Thanks so much. It truly is a great pattern.

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  24. sallieforrerJune 28, 2013 at 12:13 AM

    Gorgeous!!! Love how that fabric works with all the ruching! Just beautiful!

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  25. Kirsty BunfieldJune 28, 2013 at 7:01 AM

    Thanks so much. Agree it looks great ruched.

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  26. SharJune 28, 2013 at 9:38 AM

    Just have to say that I totally disagree with who is the better sewer :)

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  27. CarolynJune 28, 2013 at 10:32 AM

    Oh, you look just gorgeous Kirsty, and that fabric is to die for. An absolutely beautiful swimsuit :)

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  28. GailJune 28, 2013 at 5:39 PM

    Do I detect a few Canberrian icicles falling off that gorgeous swimsuit?

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  29. AlexJune 28, 2013 at 6:59 PM

    I'm in awe, the suit looks amazing.

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  30. Katie DeshazerJune 29, 2013 at 9:54 AM

    Beautiful! And what a fabulous fabric. I definitely can't tell you had trouble with the elastic. It looks very professional. Thanks for linking up to the SwimAlong!

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  31. Kirsty BunfieldJune 29, 2013 at 9:06 PM

    Thanks Katie.
    And, thanks again for all your great work on it.

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  32. Kirsty BunfieldJune 29, 2013 at 9:06 PM

    Thanks Alex :)

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  33. Kirsty BunfieldJune 29, 2013 at 9:06 PM

    You bet you do :)

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  34. Kirsty BunfieldJune 29, 2013 at 9:07 PM

    Thanks Carolyn so much! Thanks too for picking me in the comp :)

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  35. Sarah CJune 30, 2013 at 1:31 PM

    OMG! I am in love with that fabric! It is just perfect for this suit! Your version looks amazing!

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  36. LeilaJuly 1, 2013 at 11:15 AM

    I love love love your bathing suit. I'm just getting used to buying prints and I might have overlooked this one but it's perfect! You look awesome!

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  37. Kirsty BunfieldJuly 1, 2013 at 11:35 PM

    Thanks Leila, Good to see you on the prints wagon :)

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  38. Kirsty BunfieldJuly 1, 2013 at 11:35 PM

    Thanks Sarah!

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  39. Margo BergmanJuly 2, 2013 at 3:52 AM

    Fantastic job Kristy!! Love the fabric choice and thanks for modelling it in the winter! You brave soul! You look great in it!

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  40. Jolies bobinesJuly 6, 2013 at 8:41 AM

    Wow, I love your version. I'm doing this pattern too, but I'm afraid !

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  41. Kirsty BunfieldJuly 6, 2013 at 9:51 AM

    I think you will be fine. You are a beautiful sewer so all should go well! Can't wait to see your version.

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  42. Kirsty BunfieldJuly 6, 2013 at 9:51 AM

    Thanks Margo. It wasn't too bad outside - and it was just for a minute :)

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  43. Maider....MasustakJuly 10, 2013 at 5:13 PM

    WoW!!!!! Love the fabric! It looks great on you!

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  44. Sew BrunswickJuly 10, 2013 at 8:01 PM

    I'm not sure how I missed this in my blog reader!! I was wondering how you went with this and went to see if you'd finished it. It looks fabulous!! Well done. I'm still sitting here stroking my fabric...

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  45. Kirsty BunfieldJuly 10, 2013 at 11:13 PM

    Thanks so much !!

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  46. Kirsty BunfieldJuly 10, 2013 at 11:15 PM

    Thanks! I'm so happy with it - despite the fact that the sewing is a bit ordinary. It is so fun to wear. Can't wait to see yours..especially because you are a more experienced swimsuit sewer!

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