Last year my family and I were going on vacation in Croatia, and I needed a new bikini. It ended as it always does when I shop for beach attire; I bought an ill fitting bikini with some pretty ugly pearl embroidery at the neckline. I didn't love my new (expensive) bikini and I only bought it because the one I really liked cost an arm and a leg. I simply can't buy garments that small at such a high price.
This year I decided to find out what it would take to make my own bikini and swimsuit. I knew other independent pattern companies had released swimwear patterns, and thus figured Wardrobe By Me had to also include a beach wear collection.
I started looking for inspiration, and decided to make a halter neckline swimsuit, with low cut, full coverage leg opening. The bikini is derived from the same shape with a high and low waistline option and two leg heights. The swimsuit can also be made as a tankini, if you pair it with the bottom of the bikini.
To my surprise shopping for swimsuit fabric proved a lot less complicated than anticipated. If you are located in Europe (like I am) finding swimsuit fabric has proven a challenge, but I have really good experience shopping at fabrics.com. My fabric usually arrives only 3 days after ordering. To make either a bikini or swimsuit you need less than a yard of swimsuit fabric. The activewear fabric is usually an 80% nylon 20%spandex composition and you can find almost any type from floral, geometric, plaid or solid. To make sure your private parts are covered you would use a nude colored swimsuit lining, and all edges are folded with swimwear elastic. For the bikini you would also need an S hook or other clasp for the back chest. The total cost of making either is less than $ 20 and you have an awsome fitting figure flattering swimsuit or the feminine bikini from your own hand.
I hate walking around the beach / pool in only my bikini, so to complete the beach look I decided to make a cute kimono. The Kimono is such an easy garment to make and when summer is over I will be wearing it at home to glam up my lounge wear.
The awesome testers of the beach wear collection have been an amazing inspiration. Not only have they created all the awesome pictures I have used promoting the new beach wear sewing patterns, but several of them have shared their knowledge of activewear sewing. Their experience has been included in the instructions, making the sewing as easy as 1-2-3. If you want to know how to add cups to your version, please check out Stacy's guest blog too.
The full beach wear collection of the Rita swimsuit, the Marilyn bikini and the Norma Jean Kimono can be purchased as a bundle for $ 22.00 a saving of $9.00. The patterns can be bought separately at $11.00 for the suit and bikini and 9.00 for the kimono.
