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From: Bama
Date: 06-17-2006, 12:28 AM (1 of 17)
I bought a new swimsuit that has the boy-leg bottoms because I thought it looked pretty good on this 40yo body when I tried it on.  Nice coverage looking at it in the dressing room mirror. However, swimming in it doesn't look as good. The coverage in the back is not as good as the coverage in the front.  Sooooooo......... I was wondering if I tried my hand at making one, how would I adjust the pattern for the back piece so it doesn't creep up and let my rear end show? 
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User: Bama
Member since: 03-21-2000 Total posts: 2116 
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From: paroper
Date: 06-17-2006, 01:02 AM (2 of 17)
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Can you run a little elastic from the side to the back crotch seam? I have seen this done on bathing suits.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: skiNsew
Date: 06-17-2006, 07:43 AM (3 of 17)
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I make my own boy leg swim suit shorts all the time. I use the Kwik-Sew shorts pattern that is found in their Swim & Action Wear book on pages 40 & 52. The first pair that I made did creep up in the back when I walked around or went swimming so I added elastic to the leg openings and that solved the problem. I use a 1:1 ratio in the front and make the back elastic 2" shorter than the back opening. Also because these shorts are just cut in 2 pieces there is no separate crotch piece, so I just add a small piece of doubled swimsuit lining (about 3 x 3) to that area. I just serge the four edges of the piece and attach the corners of the piece to the seams. HTH Mary |
User: skiNsew
Member since: 06-09-2005 Total posts: 33 |
From: Bama
Date: 06-17-2006, 11:48 AM (4 of 17)
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What kind of elastic should I use? Oh, and what type of needle on stretchy swimsuit fabric? I had thought of making a pattern using this swimsuit and see what I can come up with, but maybe I should try the elastic in these bottoms first. thanks!! |
User: Bama
Member since: 03-21-2000 Total posts: 2116
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From: skiNsew
Date: 06-17-2006, 06:55 PM (5 of 17)
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I use cotton swim elastic in either 1/4 or 3/8". It is specially treated to resist chlorine. There is also another kind that looks like white rubber. I find that no matter what kind of needle I use this kind tends to perforate and tear so I avoid it. I also use a ballpoint needle in both my sewing machine and serger. When I am making the shorts from scratch I just use a 3 thread over lock to apply the elastic and then turn it and use a narrow cover stitch to finish it. However, I think if I were just applying the elastic to an already finished suit, I would use my sewing machine with a 3 step zig zag. Let us know how it works out for you. Mary |
User: skiNsew
Member since: 06-09-2005 Total posts: 33 |
From: bridesmom
Date: 06-18-2006, 12:00 AM (6 of 17)
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What a great idea! I also bought a tankini with boy shorts and find they do that creeping up thing too. Can handle it when I go out into the hot tub from our bedtoom, but walking on the beach is another matter entirely. I think I may have enough room in the hem to weave a thin chlorineproof elastic through. Thanks for the idea!
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: Bama
Date: 06-18-2006, 02:34 PM (7 of 17)
I think I can run the elastic through the hem of mine too.  I'm off to get elastic as soon as dd is finished getting dressed.  If that doesn't solve the problem, I was thinking about adding a flesh-colored panty into the bottoms. Maybe the reason they fit so well in the dressing room is because I had panties between the suit and my butt. Then they couldn't ride up.
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User: Bama
Member since: 03-21-2000 Total posts: 2116
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From: nannylin
Date: 06-18-2006, 09:49 PM (8 of 17)
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I have nothing constructive to add to the topic--just an observation. Ironic that "the boys" would be hard pressed to understand why we care about the legs riding up! LOL Maybe if we took a chapter from their book and just "let it all hang out" we could save a lot of work and angst! Linda |
User: nannylin
Member since: 02-27-2006 Total posts: 47 
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From: Sancin
Date: 06-19-2006, 03:02 AM (9 of 17)
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It seems to me that men's swim trunks vs speedo's have a little nylon lining, not that it supports that much but it doesn't all hang out. I think pants creeping up on women is more of a comfort thing than appearance. I have never worn a bikini, but frankly some of them don't look very comfortable. One of the problems I have with boy shorts with tankini (have one on the sewing table now) is that my legs are quite a bit smaller than my hips and tum and the legs ride up. Fortunately I bought enough material as I have to remake the shorts !!
*~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
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User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 895 
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From: bridesmom
Date: 06-20-2006, 07:59 PM (10 of 17)
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I put the elastic in last night, I just had to open up the seam a smidge, run it through and tack it and it worked so slick, I am amazed! That was an awesome tip.
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: Bama
Date: 06-22-2006, 09:31 PM (11 of 17)
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I'm amazed too! It worked. I don't know why the swimsuit manufacturers don't make them that way to start with. It feels so much better now. I also took one of my swimsuits from last year that was too big since I've lost weight, and took in the side seams and added elastic to the back of those bottoms. thanks everybody! I'm ready for the beach. 
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User: Bama
Member since: 03-21-2000 Total posts: 2116
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From: LoveSewin
Date: 06-22-2006, 11:54 PM (12 of 17)
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JUst to clarify this... you are putting elastic in the hem on the legs, right?
Kim
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User: LoveSewin
Member since: 01-31-2006 Total posts: 103 
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From: Bama
Date: 06-23-2006, 11:11 AM (13 of 17)
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yes, but only on the back hem. I picked out the stitches on each end, ran elastic through it with a safety pin, then stitched it back up catching the elastic on each end. I cut my elastic about 1 1/2" shorter than the hem and it was enough on my suits. I was afraid they would look like bloomers when I tried them on, but the elastic stretched and made the back lay flat. You can't tell it's there. |
User: Bama
Member since: 03-21-2000 Total posts: 2116
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From: LoveSewin
Date: 06-23-2006, 03:21 PM (14 of 17)
I might try this on some of my boy shorts underwear - they are not very comfortable if you are walking around with a wedgie all day! 
Kim
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User: LoveSewin
Member since: 01-31-2006 Total posts: 103
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From: Sherri
Date: 06-23-2006, 03:36 PM (15 of 17)
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Can someone send a picture I am having a hard time figuring this out in my head as to how Far I put it. Sher My website
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User: Sherri
Member since: 02-07-2001 Total posts: 357 |
From: Bama
Date: 06-23-2006, 11:21 PM (16 of 17)
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I wish I could send you a pic but mine are packed and in the car right now. We're heading to the beach tomorrow. Maybe this will help..... I picked out the lower end of the side seams and a little on each side of the crotch seam. The hem on mine was like a casing, so I ran the elastic through it, held it so it stuck out a little by the seam ends, and stitched the sides and crotch seam back up catching the elastic. The elastic runs all the way across each back leg into the side seams. I didn't put any in the front legs because they lay flat. Trying this on boy shorts underwear is a great idea! I'll have to get some soft elastic and do that. I have a couple of pair that I thought were so pretty when I bought them, but I can't stand to wear them. 
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User: Bama
Member since: 03-21-2000 Total posts: 2116
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From: Bama
Date: 07-03-2006, 04:01 PM (17 of 17)
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A week at the beach and my swimsuits didn't ride up a bit.
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User: Bama
Member since: 03-21-2000 Total posts: 2116
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