Burda Style For people who sew
Description
I’ve been slightly appalled by the price of Maternity swimsuits. Seriously, the piece is only wearable for 4-6 months! I bought the bottom at Target ($19.99 for just a bottom!) and bought a yard of swimsuit fabric for $6.
I took the Alison pattern and chopped off the crotch portion, added about 4" length (I’m super long waisted!), added 1 1/2" to the side seam of the front piece (altering out the waist curve), and cut the front piece so it was slanted on the fold to add an additional 5" to the bottom width. This will fit probably for the next month or so, but I’ll have to make a second top to finish out the summer. I’ll add 2" or more to the bust panel width (it’s definitely drafted for an A-B cup) and will probably add a swimsuit bra for more support in addition to adding more twin belly ease.
The instructions on this pattern are really in need of rewriting! They seemed especially vague if I were to make this suit as a one piece. Some how I misunderstood that I was supposed to gather the cups along the outside. Perhaps I would have had more room for my bust then?
Anyone interested in a visual how-to when I make this top again for a larger maternity size?
Material Notes
Swimsuit nylon/lycra
Difficulty
Novice
Categories
Credits
Liz Lange maternity for the cute swim skirt.
4 Comments Sign in to add a post
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Sep 1, 2011, 07.50 PMby jadedseas
thanks for the description on how you altered the pattern slightly for maternity. I’m just about to make the allison into a mat tankini and probably wouldn’t have added enough length. Looks great. How pregnant are you in the photo?
May 19, 2010, 06.11 PMby Elisabeth Snider
Looks great! I’m 6 months pregnant and am also completely appalled at the price of maternity swimsuits. I might try this pattern with similar alterations… thanks for posting!
Jun 8, 2009, 08.51 PMby pinkfashion
love the top, and the background :-)
May 31, 2009, 12.47 AMby kaitui-kiwi
I think you’ve done a great job. I have been looking at this pattern for next summer but found the instructions a bit basic also. I figured I would just muddle my way through like I always do, hehe. Great job of re-fitting it for maternity, you’ll be super stylish at the pool :)