Burda Style For people who sew
Description
I made this McCall’s bikini from a pattern I bought in December.
I used a 4-way stretch fabric I purchased from eBay for US$8 per yard. I bought 1 yard of this fabric and have enough left over to make at least another bikini – maybe in a different style.
My pattern review:
Pluses:
- The 4 way stretch fabric was perfect for this project. It was surprisingly easy to sew with and didn’t slip at all. It wasn’t slippery against the elastic either.
- I used lingerie cups (swimwear approved) for the bikini top which I would recommend to all small chested ladies, as it creates a nice shape for the bandeau top.
- I altered the back of the bandeau top. The instructions told me to sew the back together, the result being a bikini top you had to slip over your head. Not for me. Instead I took inspiration from Seafolly swimwear and cut the back band so it became a narrow point and sewed in some plastic clips so it clips together at the back. This worked brilliantly.
- The bottoms were cut quite well. The back piece definitely has enough coverage (which I was a tad concerned about because I am pear shaped after all) everything stays in place back there!
- The biggest plus – it fits perfectly and when worn, does not look handmade at all! Saved myself $140 making these!
Minuses:
- The elastic was tricky to work with. What I found hard was stretching the elastic evenly as I sewed it on. This resulted in the elastic appearing to bunch at different spots. When worn however, this is not evident at all and the elastic and fabric is stretched evenly across the body and looks really smooth.
- I tried to be clever and sew the bottoms together in a different order than the instructions, and this resulted in side seams that are not quite perfect.
My verdict – A seriously awesome pattern for anyone wanting to make a bikini. I had this made within half a day, and it looks really cute on! Next time I am at the beach I might even take a picture for you all.
Follow me at:
buckinghamroad.blogspot.com
Difficulty
Intermediate
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Aug 13, 2012, 02.18 AMby thewallinna
Well done! Those dots are so cute ;)
1 Reply
Aug 13, 2012, 08.46 AMby BuckinghamRoad
Thanks!
Aug 10, 2012, 11.31 PMby JenniLithgow
This is super cute!
1 Reply
Aug 11, 2012, 07.27 AMby BuckinghamRoad
Thanks heaps! When it is stretched on the body it looks perfectly smooth… I just didn’t have the courage to post photos on line with me in it :-)
Aug 10, 2012, 11.09 AMby Mary Athey
Its fab and.i love.your fabric x
1 Reply
Aug 11, 2012, 07.28 AMby BuckinghamRoad
Thanks! I bought the fabric on ebay as I was unable to find anywhere local to me that sold Lycra 4 way stretch fabric. I was really pleased with the size of the dots, I think they are the right proportion for the pattern.