The Bombshell swimsuit

I am about to publish some photos of me in a swimsuit on the internet, and I feel okay with that. That is proof of just how amazing Heathers Bombshell swimsuit pattern is. I mean, I'm almost naked, and somehow I feel classy and dressed (!?). This pattern is the swimsuit of my dreams and even if there are quite a few things I want to improve until next time, I'll be wearing this one all summer and feel like a movie star.

I'm really pleased with myself for actually sewing a swimsuit! The instructions, and working with a stretch fabric, can be intimidating, but everything makes perfect sense when you're actually sewing. And I had no problems at all sewing this up with only my sewing machine and a good old zig zag stitch.  Hopefully this will stand the test of time, but I threw myself in the water just after this photoshoot and everything held up just fine. I made view A in a quite crazy pinkish color. I bought it online (I was so excitedto find a swedish supplier of lycra!) and it was described as coral. I had never imagined coral could be neon. I was a bit disappointed, but then thought I would tackle this first swimsuit as a wearable muslin, and that it would allow me to get into all that elastic and lycra handling. The color is kind of growing on me, though, and my boyfriend says it'll be practical as I will be easy to spot on the beach...

I really love the silhouette of this swimsuit. I like how everything I want to hide is hidden, and even though there is so much of me covered up, I feel so sexy. The size is good, but I could probably shorten the bodice by a few cms. I do feel like there is a bit too much fabric in the width of the outer fabric. It sometimes feels like the fabric ripples and sag a bit over my belly. Nothing major, though.

I cannot remember the last time I was in a swimsuit and not worry about my bum showing too much. The ruching in the back is most definately sexy and flattering. And look at the fantastic hourglass shape it gives me! Is my waist really so tiny?

There is a bit of a funny thing going on at the bustline, and I'm not quite sure what is wrong. Maybe it's the elastic that wants to roll out, or maybe I should have thighten the elastic more when I inserted it, but there is a bit of gaping going on. Also, I wish there was more support at the bust. I didn't insert any foam cups, for the only reason that I could not find any, and I didn't wanted to have to wait if I ordered online. I will most definately figure out something to provide support for my next version. I am dreaming of a swimsuit in black with gold polka dots...

Datura 2.0 (the Art Deco Datura)

Oh Datura. Such a perfect little summer top! I am considering drafting some sleeves  for it. Wouldn't it be a wonderful blouse even in the wintertime?

This is my second version, and I made the first view, in size 38. I think I need to go down a size, as it is a bit big. I could take in the size seams, but I did french seams, and I am a bit lazy... It is the same size as my first version , but the fabric is stiffer, and the size issue is more noticeable.

The fabric is a pretty floral cotton which I think has a nice art deco vibe to it. I had to resort to quilting cotton for the contrast yoke, and while it was super easy to work with, it is a bit too stiff to drape nicely. I am really into the cut-outs, and they echo the geometry of the print nicely.

Again, I just sewed the buttons through all layers without doing buttonholes. I'm not really friendly with the buttonhole function on my machine... I placed the buttons quite high. I see now that I need to work on my patternmatching skills, but really, it's not bothering me. It may bother someone walking behind me on the street. Not that I care. I also finished the hem with bias tape, and I LOVE the result. There is a nice weight to the hem, and the curve is perfect. Now I want to hem everything with bias tape!

A detail shot of the neckline. It would be really easy to mess that bit up. You have to pin the bias tape quite perfectly, not stretching it, and not too loosely either. The cotton I used was helpful for that part because it really stayed put, but I can see this being really fiddly. And then you have to be very precise with the topstitching. I am still working on that skill, but practice makes perfect!

Another detail of the pretty fabric. It had been in my stash* for a while, because it was horribly off grain and I didn't quite know what to do about that. So I pulled and thugged and in the end I cheated and cut the pieces off-grain. I'll probably have to pay for that after a few washes, but it felt better than having the pattern at an angle. So, all in all, I'm really happy with how this top turned out. There will be more Daturas to come, but I really need a skirt to wear them with!

* Is about 10 lenghts of fabric a stash? hmmm, I guess it is... it does, however, feels like my closet in the morning. Full of stuff, but nothing interesting enough!

MMM recap

Alright, I am aware it is almost the end of June, but I wanted to take a minute and reflect over Me Made May. It was my first time participating, and I didn't set myself a sky-high goal, but something I felt was attainable. May was a frantic month for me, and for half of it, I had to spend my days and nights in my Eurovision t-shirt. I pledged to waer a handmade garment at least 3 times a week, and besides for the 10 days of Eurovision, I managed quite well. I did wear the same things a few times... mostly because they are garments in which I feel good. Quite a few me-made items stayed in my closet, unworn. So my biggest lesson learned from Me Made May is to sew things I love and love to wear. It is, afterall, why I sew! I want to have a closet full of beautiful clothes (mostly dresses...) that makes me happy to wear. Handmade clothes are not the goal in itself for me, only a way to achieve my goal: Feel good in my clothes!

The major fail of Me Made May was obviously the documentation of it... I kind of regret now not having pictures to look back to, in order to be able to analyse what I wore. Oh well, September will come soon enough!

I leave you with some pictures of Florence i May...

A dress I made last summer. The bodice is Ava from Victory patterns with a straight skirt and an elasticated waist. I did some colourblocking on the skirt, I really need to to that again. So simple but quite a nice effect. 

The cathedral, Il Duomo. We climbed in the cupola on the last morning, and got to the top. The views of the city were amazing!