Description
Oversize Tank Top – BurdaStyle 3/2011 #133
The Every Body Bikini – Simplicity #6353 1974
A cover-up to go over my myriad collection of bikini’s, lol. This quick and easy pattern took me less than an hour to sew. Mind you I didn’t finish the inside seams as the fabric doesn’t fray. I used a pinkish crinkly fabric remnant from the op-shop, and I sewed with zigzag stitch but it came out OK. With a low neckline, revealing sides, and a racer back, its perfect as a cover-up. The sides do stick out a little because I didn’t use clingy jersey material, but that will keep me cool. The fabric is similar in weight to a light linen, and it seems to hold wrinkles a little easily. I’m wearing the tank over my first ever practice bikini which I had sewn earlier in the year, made out of a sewing shop remnant of sheer stretch print, and (regrettably) lined with old t-shirting. I was using stretch knit fabric for the first time, so not very confident, and it was one of my very first attempts at using a commercial pattern (the same pattern I also used for one of my 70s photo print bikinis). I notice how much my sewing has improved already, lol. In fact the briefs are supposed to be bigger but I messed up with the elastic casing. I did use creative license though by adding front and side ties – elastic is sewn inside the ties along their seams. Location: Pt Chevalier
Material Notes
pink & purple stripey crinkled cotton based fabric with slight width-wise stretch – probably crepeon; sheer snakeskin print 4-way stretch knit, white t-shirt for lining, vintage metal clasp, elastic
Difficulty
Novice
Feb 10, 2014, 10.54 AMby nadia r
Update: I tested/swam in this bikini yesterday at a local beach – and while the sheer snake fabric needed to be lined, using T-shirting makes it virtually unable to dry – they don’t call it a wet t-shirt competition for nothing lol, it really holds the wet in! Plus i’m not really a bikini person so i spent all my time trying to hide lol… In retrospect, I really should edit that last pic as it looks a bit risque, haha!….As for the tank top, I didn’t finish the inside seam edges because this type of material doesn’t fray, but perhaps it is good practice to do so anyway?
Nov 3, 2013, 08.52 AMby Mary Athey
I love this and the bikini. I have been sewing a long time but only got back into sewing clothes 3 years ago. Sewing is a progression and the more we sew the better we get. I love looking at the things i made back then and then comparing them to now!!! X
1 Reply
Nov 3, 2013, 09.03 AMby nadia r
thank u! i also am starting to compare my progress (and looking not too closely, my earlier stuff is terrible, lol!!!) X
Nov 2, 2013, 05.00 PMby Ellen Hatteland
Cool! Great work Nadia! i like your bikini as well :-)
1 Reply
Nov 3, 2013, 12.30 AMby nadia r
Thanx a million hon x