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From: Debbie Hebron
Date: 01-20-2005, 12:52 PM (1 of 12)
I want to make new bottoms for a bathing suit. But I always seem to struggle with the elastic in the legs. Any pointers or a good pattern to use. I want to make a high waisted brief with high cut legs. 
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User: Debbie Hebron
Member since: 10-23-2003 Total posts: 17 |
From: Skye
Date: 01-20-2005, 03:47 PM (2 of 12)
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Hi Debbie, I make all my swimwear and in recent years mainly used Kwik sew patterns. There is also a book swim and activewear. Iam not near my patterns so cant give you measurements but usually I apply the elasstic 1:1 at the front and stretch it on around the butt area so that it stays Swimwear is so easy to make and $$$ friendly Skye |
User: Skye
Member since: 09-28-2000 Total posts: 233 |
From: Debbie Hebron
Date: 01-20-2005, 05:01 PM (3 of 12)
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Thanks for the info Skye! Next question have you ever made a swim suite top with the underwire. I have not. Any hints on construction or a simple pattern to use?
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User: Debbie Hebron
Member since: 10-23-2003 Total posts: 17 |
From: Debbie Hebron
Date: 01-20-2005, 05:03 PM (4 of 12)
| How do you stitch the elastic on to the fabric? with a zig zag stitch or what??? |
User: Debbie Hebron
Member since: 10-23-2003 Total posts: 17 |
From: MaryW
Date: 01-21-2005, 01:05 PM (5 of 12)
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Sorry Debbie, I have just never done a bathing suit. I would assume you would use a zig zag or perhaps one of the other stretch stitches that work with lycra. Probably using a roller foot would work best too. MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: Holly Berry
Date: 01-23-2005, 06:50 AM (6 of 12)
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I don't mean to jump in on your conversation, but I have always wanted to make a bathing suit and haven't because it looked difficult. Is there a instruction book or something like sewing bathing suits for Dummies I can get?
Holly Berry
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User: Holly Berry
Member since: 09-10-2003 Total posts: 77 
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From: Skye
Date: 01-23-2005, 10:54 PM (7 of 12)
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All the Kwik sew swimwear patterns do have good instructions so equivilant to the dummies series. I haven't put in an under wire but in the back of my brain I remember reading a post somewhere about that. In fact I vaguely recall someone using a bra. If I find reference I will post it for you. The kwik sew swimwear and action book does describe how to put in cups. Appling the elastic. I lay the elastic on the wrong side of the fabric with edges of the elastic and fabric lined up. ie fabric right side to feed dogs elastic on top. Stretching the elastic to fit where necessary. I serge mine on these days but back when I didn't have a serger I used zig zag stitch on my machine. Then you fold the elastic over to the wrong side- the fabric is encasing the elastic. Then you can use your zig zag stitch however I have found that over time this stitch may break in the areas that get alot of stretch so I use what I think is called a serpintine stitch on my machine it looks like a zig zag but there are 2-3 straight stitches in the zigs and zags - does this make sense or seem as clear as mud?? Those people with a coverstitch on the serger could use that. The other thing with swimwear is get lycras fabric that has good stretch in both directions. Sorry I am not good at word pictures Skye |
User: Skye
Member since: 09-28-2000 Total posts: 233 |
From: Holly Berry
Date: 01-24-2005, 05:04 AM (8 of 12)
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Thanks Skye, What you have said does help.
Holly Berry
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User: Holly Berry
Member since: 09-10-2003 Total posts: 77
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From: Debbie Hebron
Date: 01-24-2005, 11:20 AM (9 of 12)
Thanks for the information. I would appreciate, if you can find the post on covering a bra for the top. Sounds a whole lot easier. Do you use the clear elastic or the fabricy stuff? I may try to make some bottoms, as this seems to be the piece that doesn't fit. 
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User: Debbie Hebron
Member since: 10-23-2003 Total posts: 17 |
From: Skye
Date: 01-24-2005, 02:45 PM (10 of 12)
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I wouldn't use the clear elastic. Some time ago there was a discussion about this over on sewing world and people had not had good experiences in the water. I always use swimwear elastic and I like the rubber type stuff mainly because it lies flat and is easy to apply. But I use what ever I can get. Ordinary elastic does not maintain its elasticity in the water - ie loses its stretch which might be embarassing. better get on and do what they pay be to do Skye |
User: Skye
Member since: 09-28-2000 Total posts: 233 |
From: grandmasue
Date: 01-24-2005, 05:47 PM (11 of 12)
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just a note when working with lycra. Even in a good 4 way stretch lycra there is usually more stretch one way than the other. the direction with the most stretch should going around the body when you lay out your pattern. I have been working with lycra for 15 years now so if someone has more questions I'd be glad to try and help. I haven't done swimwear but I still may be able to help. Grandma Sue
------------ At the end I am not showing up at my grave all pretty and well preserved...I am coming in sliding, yelling "What a ride!" |
User: grandmasue
Member since: 10-26-2004 Total posts: 138 
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From: Skye
Date: 01-30-2005, 08:26 PM (12 of 12)
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Debbie , Found a link to underwire bra fitting hope this helps http://home.iprimus.com.au/mnd/underwire%20shelf%20bra%20instructions.htm |
User: Skye
Member since: 09-28-2000 Total posts: 233 |
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