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The Sew What’s New Archive
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From: Selene
Date: 06-15-2005, 10:30 AM (1 of 10)
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Hi all of you! I've never sewn any swimwear before and would like to know from those of you who have, what thread, stitches, tension, presser feet... etc. do you use for these items? Thanks! Selene
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User: Selene
Member since: 03-03-2004 Total posts: 71 
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From: MaryW
Date: 06-15-2005, 12:43 PM (2 of 10)
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I have never made any swim wear, but I know polyester thread is used and of course a ballpoint needle. Twin needles are used quite a bit too. If you have a fabric that might be transparent when wet, you will need to have a stretchy lining as well. You will have to test your tension on some scraps before starting the actual garment.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: Skye
Date: 06-15-2005, 05:24 PM (3 of 10)
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I sew all my swimwear (for more years than I care to remember). Get a good pattern. Kwik Sew are easy and have good instrctions. If you really get into sewing swimwear then get the KS book for swimwear and active wear. Good quality swimwear lycra and swim elastic - ordinary elastic looses its stretch when wet - not a good look. I use my serger to stitch but back in the "old days" I used a zig zag stitchon my SM. polyester thread. You will save $$$ making your own and it always surprises me how little material is required. Presser feet I just use my usual ones but I do reduce the presser foot tension. Do a search of this site as I think we have discussed making swimwear before and you might get some more hints. Anyway good luck Skye |
User: Skye
Member since: 09-28-2000 Total posts: 233 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 06-16-2005, 05:03 PM (4 of 10)
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Skye, Where do you find swim elastic.. I know regular elastic will not work, but I do not know where to find swim elastic.. I get so frustrated trying to find good elastic anyway.. Hancocks and Wal Mart are the only 2 fabric shopping stores in my city.. I have never seen swim elastic at either place.. 
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: Skye
Date: 06-17-2005, 12:08 AM (5 of 10)
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Sorry I cant help you with the elastic source as I live in New Zealand. Having said that I get the elastic at Spot Light which is probably equivalent to your Jo-annes. Perhaps try a google search and see what you come up with on line. There are different types. I quite like the flat rubber stuff as I get nice flat edges ie not so bulky, some of the swim elastic looks just like the usual stuff so check the labels of the spools. Skye |
User: Skye
Member since: 09-28-2000 Total posts: 233 |
From: grandmasue
Date: 06-17-2005, 11:20 AM (6 of 10)
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One big thing to remember when laying out your pattern is that the greatest stretch of the fabric should go around the body. All 2-way and most 4-way stretch lycra has one direction that has more stretch that the other and the pattern should be layed out so the bigger stretch goes around the body.
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: Pudge99
Date: 06-17-2005, 05:38 PM (7 of 10)
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Libby, I buy swimsuit elastic at Hancock's here. I started using it for diapers but now use it in everything that calls for that size as it holds up to a lot of washing. I am getting ready to sew a swim suit with it for the first time. I am going to use the Kwik Sew swimsuit book for my pattern. Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures Pfaff 2040 Janome Mylock 134D Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch |
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001 Total posts: 1375 |
From: bridesmom
Date: 06-18-2005, 02:18 AM (8 of 10)
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I have another question. What do you use for binding the neckline and/or straps? I am going to attempt a little suit for a 6month old and the ones I have seen have a knit binding around the neck and straps. Can I use regular ribbing for binding??
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: Pudge99
Date: 06-18-2005, 02:05 PM (9 of 10)
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Most suits for babies that I have seen use the same fabric as the suit for the binding.
Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures Pfaff 2040 Janome Mylock 134D Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch |
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001 Total posts: 1375 |
From: Selene
Date: 06-19-2005, 05:46 AM (10 of 10)
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Hi! Thanks a lot for the replies! I didn't think of using special elastic. I don't even know if I'll be able to find it here in Spain... I suppose they will have it as they do sell swimsuit fabrics at the fabric stores, and people here seem to sew their own swimming stuff. I'll ask around. And if I find all the materials I suppose that the best thing to do would be to get the Kwik Sew book on sewing swimsuits. I also wanted to ask you if you know of any pattern drafting books for this type of garment. I have heard of one by Ann Hagar (or something like that). Has anybody used that? Any good? Thanks! Selene
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User: Selene
Member since: 03-03-2004 Total posts: 71
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