Sewing a swimsuit - mad idea?

[TheyreMadITellYouMaaaad]

After seeing that Fabricland carry swimsuit material, I'm toying with the idea of making myself a swimsuit. Is this a mad idea? Has anyone got experience to share?

[MrsMummyPig]

I think your sucess would depend a lot on wether your sewing machine is up to the job? Having worked in a factory making swim and sports wear i can't imagine how you could make one yourself unless you have the right machines.

[TheyreMadITellYouMaaaad]

I've got a Bernina with a walking foot.

[TheyreMadITellYouMaaaad]

It has an 'overlock' stitch for stretchy fabrics, but I don't have a dedicated overlocker.

[MrsMummyPig]

What sort of straps are you planning to make? It would be the binding/ edging I would struggle with I think. It was all done on a elastic/lace attach type machine in the factory and was still a fiddly job that I never was very good at. Saying that I know people make dance costumes etc from Lycra so it's probably doable. If the material isn't too expensive it might be worth a try.

[TheyreMadITellYouMaaaad]

This one: www.burdastyle.co.uk/alison-bs-002
(Burdastyle Alison)

[MrsMummyPig]

That's really nice and does actually look doable as the straps are nice and thick so you wont need to attatch any bindings or elastic and the shaping is done mostly with gathers. What colour are you thinking of doing it in?

[StressheadMcGee]

I saw this recently, it might be of some help? indiesew.com/blog/its-sew-your-own-swimwear-week#post

[TheyreMadITellYouMaaaad]

Thanks, that's really useful!

I don't know what colour I'll use. Depends what Fabricland have.

[fortifiedwithtea]

It absolutely is possible to do on a domestic machine. Look at Jalie Patterns and their tutorial on YT how they put elastic in a figure skating dress using just an ordinary zig-zag stitch on a domestic sewing machine.

Jalie is a Canadian company set up by a mother and daughter. They design their patterns very carefully and road test them thoroughly to make sure their clothes can be made on domestic machines. Google Jalie.uk and it will link to the British retailer.

Kwik Sew do many swimming patterns. I made a skating dress once using one of their patterns but wouldn't again as it didn't suit my daughters shape. It was overly generous in the briefs and I had to take it in loads. Just bear in mind their swimming costumes may be cut for ample bottoms as well.

Remember you must use rubber elastic designed for swimwear. Ordinary elastic is no good, chlorine will rot it. As a brand I recommend Hemline, readily available at haberdashers or eBay. You really only get what you pay for with elastic.

Do chose fabric according to the pattern. Use a stretch needle for 4 way stretch fabric and you shouldn't have any missed stitches.

Good luck