Burda Style For people who sew
Adventures in Alison- The Mamadiosa Redux
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2984
Description
This is the Alison bathing suit. I have wanted to make it since it came out and finally decided to test my chops with swimwear and go for it. I made quite a few changes so that it would fit my vision.
First I made the body pieces longer because I have a longer torso and one piece bathing suits never fit me well because of it. The next thing I did was draft a whole new piece in the front to give the suit a dress look. I made the piece longer than the suit so that I could gather up the sides to create a ruching affect. After all is said and done, if I made this suit again, I would have made this front panel even longer so that it would come down lower and cover my lady bits better! I also would have lined this front panel so that it was more substantial. I did line the back with the same fabric and I split the back into 2 pieces with a center seam as to take away a bit from the uni-butt look. I raised the back up and eliminated the center back strap. I added a bra to the bust. I just cut the back straps off of a straples bra and threw it in there. It is well padded, but in my defense, I have had 5 children and my bust is small and sad, it needed a lift. I ripped up the bust quite a few times and in the end I didn"t bind the bust but sewed on the strap to the back and side bust just by laying it on top and top stiching with a 3 step zigzag. Before I sewed it to the bust I tried it on and pinned the hell out of it so it would fit right, and it is still a little big in the bust, but not enough for me to rip it up again. The strap I made a bit longer of course. i lined the crotch with t-shirt remnants, and I sewed the whole thing up with a 3 step zig zag, didn’t use my serger once.
Well that’s it, that is my adventure in Alison.
P.S. please don’t laugh at my pale legs!
Material Notes
red shiny swimwear fabric.
Difficulty
Intermediate
Categories
- Season
- Summer
- For
- Women
- Garment Type
- Swimwear
- Style
- Beach
- Material
- Knits/Jersey
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May 21, 2013, 06.16 AMby Cookiez777
Hello! I LOVE LOVE LOVE your version, and I wanted to ask, how did you “draft a whole new piece in the front to give the suit a dress look” ? I would really like the dress look as well, but just have no idea on how to change that so that it looks that way!
Thank you! You look beautiful!
Jun 8, 2012, 12.08 PMby Tegan J
Love it. I’m trying to make Allison with the longer front (see :http://www.pinupgirlclothing.com/the-hello-sailor-bettie-one-piece-swimsuit-from-pinup-couture.html) like you did. What did you sew the crotch piece to? Obviously to the sides, but then is it free in the front? I was thinking I would sew it to a lining.
Apr 24, 2012, 06.07 AMby chelseacraft
Stellar! Most excellent. Rosie the Riveter goes Marilyn Monroe. You go girl!
Aug 17, 2011, 07.55 PMby threadsquare
Hot damn, mama! Hope you don’t mind me saying that, but you look great, and the suit looks great! I’ve had this pattern on the back burner for a while, WILL tackle it some day (if you promise not to laugh at my pasty legs… they’re blinding!). This is just stunning. What is a 3-step zigzag? Do you recommend this over serging?
1 Reply
Aug 17, 2011, 08.21 PMby Lucha Suarez
Lol! Thank you! I will take the complement gladly! I do reccommend a 3 step zigzag, for me it results in better seams, no waviness. A 3 step zig zag is a zigzag stitch with 3 stitches on each side ofthe zig zag, instead of just one big stitch on each side.
Jul 12, 2011, 09.40 PMby denecier1
I think you look Great! Oh, and so does your fab suit! LOL
1 Reply
Jul 13, 2011, 12.35 AMby Lucha Suarez
Thank you!
Jul 4, 2011, 11.52 PMby Irina Schwab
Yep! Looks great!
1 Reply
Jul 13, 2011, 12.35 AMby Lucha Suarez
Thanks!!
Jun 16, 2011, 05.47 PMby mshell
I found that no one pattern works for the suits I have made. Great job making it work for you. That’s the beauty of making your own suit. Right?
BTW, 5 kids and you look like that? Sister, you got it goin’ on.
1 Reply
Jun 17, 2011, 04.13 AMby Lucha Suarez
Thank you soo much!
I hope you find a pattern soon, atleast one you can adapt to your vision!
Jun 14, 2011, 02.31 AMby jrosebud
omg i totally love the outcome!! beautiful color and it looks great on you! u have inspired me to stop procrastinating n start on mine :-)
1 Reply
Jun 14, 2011, 02.35 AMby Lucha Suarez
Thanks! You should totally make one, it was not as scary as I thought it was going to be!
Jun 14, 2011, 02.30 AMby marloncosta
WOW! WOW! WOW! YOU LOOK STUNNING! THE BATHING SUIT LOOKS PERFECT. BEAUTIFUL COLOR, PERFECT FIT…GREAT!!!
1 Reply
Jun 14, 2011, 02.34 AMby Lucha Suarez
Thank you!
Jun 13, 2011, 05.45 PMby peaches2218
This looks fabulous on you, and the slight sheen in such a rich red is gorgeous. You will most definitely turn heads this summer! Enjoy it!
1 Reply
Jun 13, 2011, 06.25 PMby Lucha Suarez
thank you!
Jun 13, 2011, 10.58 AMby poppykettle
I think you look totally fabulous – and I adore the red-ness and the sheen of your fabric!
1 Reply
Jun 13, 2011, 01.10 PMby Lucha Suarez
Thank you, I have a red obsession!
Jun 13, 2011, 05.45 AMby cambra
this is fabulous, the color is stunning and you look so good in it! I tried the allison a while back but as I’m a little fuller chested (no kids yet, so we’ll see how long that lasts!) and the original pattern didn’t work for me at all. I will have to try your strapless bra idea!
1 Reply
Jun 13, 2011, 01.10 PMby Lucha Suarez
You should try it! It made a world of difference! The bra had a good amount of padding too for that extra lift! For a bigger bust though, you probably wouldn’t need the padding, just a bra with formed cups and underwire. I didn’t seperate the cups either, i left the bra intact except for the back straps.
Jun 12, 2011, 10.56 PMby anniekmcn
Looks stunning! Where did you find the beautiful red fabric?
1 Reply
Jun 12, 2011, 11.02 PMby Lucha Suarez
Thank you! believe it or not, I got it at Joanns!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was pretty expensive, but I had a 50% off coupon! I bought 2 yards for like $15 and have plenty left over that I will make my daughter a swimsuit with!
Jun 12, 2011, 09.34 PMby Debby H
You look beautiful in it and the colour is fab too.
1 Reply
Jun 12, 2011, 10.57 PMby Lucha Suarez
Thank you so much! I love red, it makes me feel glamorous, and matches my favorite shade of lipstick!
Jun 12, 2011, 09.22 PMby Olivia Anne
love it and it looks amazing on you!
1 Reply
Jun 12, 2011, 10.57 PMby Lucha Suarez
Thank you!
Jun 12, 2011, 09.00 PMby michbee
Absolutely stunning! Great colour choice – suits the style perfectly. I’m just beginning my sewing adventures, but I may just remember this one day… x
1 Reply
Jun 12, 2011, 10.57 PMby Lucha Suarez
Thank you!
Jun 12, 2011, 08.31 PMby NeederMoo
I love it! I really want a swimsuit like that. It reminds me of Esther Williams from old movies.
1 Reply
Jun 12, 2011, 10.56 PMby Lucha Suarez
Thank you, I was going after an old hollywood feel!
Jun 12, 2011, 07.46 PMby mojo elgin
looks great! (i wish my five kids would have left me looking so good…)
1 Reply
Jun 12, 2011, 10.56 PMby Lucha Suarez
Lol! thank you! I run around after them alot to stay in shape, but alas, there are some things that exercise will never fix, sigh……
Jun 12, 2011, 07.05 PMby tranquiltornado
You did a great job, love the skirted look, I have a long torso too and hatee not being able to find a one-piece! Dying to try this pattern but have no idea how to sew stretch fabrics well yet!
1 Reply
Jun 12, 2011, 10.55 PMby Lucha Suarez
Thank you! You should try your hand at sewing stretch, it’s not that difficult, especially with bathing suit knits, they are more stable than others. just remember to use a stretch or zig zag stitch.
Jun 12, 2011, 06.56 PMby janene
This is stunning. I have yet to attempt swimwear but I should really because I have never owned a good fitted one-piece. Thank you for the inspiration. You look amazing!
1 Reply
Jun 12, 2011, 07.04 PMby Lucha Suarez
Thank you sooo much for your nice comment! You should totally make one, it was a nice project!
Jun 12, 2011, 06.13 PMby frkbustad
It looks great! I love the shiny red colour. Great fittings and adjustments also!
1 Reply
Jun 12, 2011, 06.53 PMby Lucha Suarez
Thank you! It was actually pretty fun to sew up!