So one day I thought that I should try making my own swimsuit. I can’t swim (seriously!), but I do enjoy playing in water and having some good time at the beach. All I have is a set of bikini I bought several years ago and maybe that is more than enough.
But making swimsuit was something that I had never tried and I love to learn new things. Alison is a vintage style bathing suit from Burdastyle, I love how it is one piece but still accentuate all the necessary curves without being too revealing. It is also free, perfect for first project.
A lot of Burdastyle members has warned that Alison is lacking of helpful instructions. There are only 6 steps in the instructions. The pattern is in 3 sizes but they are all in the same black lines, making cutting the pattern a bit difficult because you tend to forget which lines to follow. There is also no marking lines or points in the pattern. I browsed through a lot of other Alison projects to learn before actually sewing it.
I went to my favorite local fabric store near my house that sell dead stocks fabrics in cheap prices, hoping to find some jersey for my muslin. Instead I found this green swimwear fabric that is less than 10 USD for 2.5 m! I only need 1 yard for the bathing suit, so there would be lots of spare fabrics if I make some mistakes.
I mainly use stretch stitch for sewing this bathing suit. You can see it in this picture, stitch no. 6 that looks like lightning. I had expected to find difficulties sewing swimwear fabric, but my Janome had absolutely no trouble.
The breast insert end up too big for my taste, making voluminous gathers on my chest. So I unpicked it (unpicking stretch stitches from swimwear fabric is not really fun!), and cut 5 cm off the length. I made the neck strap longer so it can be tied. My fabric is quite thick and don’t need lining. I also didn’t use bra cups since I don’t like it.
The instruction didn’t mention anything about finishing the legs, so I use elastics. Several member’s projects show additional leg band, which is also a great idea. Since I didn’t have swimsuit elastic, I only use ordinary elastic for the leg. It was attached using zigzag stitch first, then turned in and sewed down again with 3 step zigzag stitch, a method that I learned from sewing lingerie.
The end result is something! I think it looks quite good (my husband said it looks really good!). I was planning to buy some real swimwear fabric after this muslin, but I think I might cancel the plan. This ‘muslin’ is good enough and I don’t need that many swimsuits. Maybe I would buy some swimwear lining for the crotch (I use ordinary jersey from old T-shirt) and swimwear elastic and fix them later.
If you’re planning to make this beautiful bathing suit, I recommend to check out the two links at the end of this post on step-by-step tutorial for sewing Alison by Burdastyle members. I found the links after checking almost all the Alisons in Burdastyle during my ‘research’.
Anyway, I still trying to find out what I’m going to do with 1.5 m leftover of this fabric. My husband and Sidra absolutely refused the idea of matching green swimming trunks!
Pattern is Alison from Burdastyle (Free PDF pattern)
Helpful links:
The Curaçao Swimsuit (review and step-by-step tutorial) at Kitty Couture
The Alison- Bathing suit at My Heart’s Debacle
Oh my gosh! This is totally darling! You look like a million bucks in this swimsuit! I adore it! Lovely job with everything. It’s so retro, yet so chic. Gorgeous! xoxo, Sunni
Thank you Sunni!
I agree with using the spare fabric for a skirt. I have the “Allison” suit downloaded and am going to make/alter it with a build-in ruffly skirt for my daughter.
gaaaaaaah! Novita, this is the most adorable swim suit I have ever seen. Really, I think it would suit my watermelon green shirt very well (by the way, thanks for your comment)! 😉
The color, would have frightened me while on bolt, but it looks fantastic on your complexion. Beautiful. Have a wonderful weekend!
I remember your pretty green top! I think I might got a little inspired by it because I find myself checking out green fabrics lately 😀
This post is exactly what the doctor ordered! I too am about to partake on the alison adventure and hopefully the links you posted will help me through it! You look great in yours!
So Cute! The green is great on you and the cut is wonderful. Great job!
Wow! I’m continually impressed with your sewing! I really admire how eager you are to learn and experiment – it’s something that I strive for but often fall short on.
Yes! It looks fabulous! Especially on you!
Your husband is right – that swimsuit is awesome! … and look, you made Peter about as speechless as he’s ever gonna get! LOL
Again, you made something I wanted to make!! Thanks for the link of the pattern! I actually had no idea how to make it:D It’s so cute on you!
I saw your post today! I’m sure you can make one. This pattern is not too difficult but the instructions from Burdastyle are kinda vague. The tutorial links I posted are very helpful though. Can’t wait to see yours!
wow, you have a lovely figure! it’s usually hiding under the flowing clothes you wear. you should show off your figure more often, you’re beautiful! and the bathing suit is great!
Haha thank you! Actually I don’t feel too comfortable wearing tight or revealing clothes. I feel like I have to hold my tummy all the time. Flowing clothes allow me to slouch 😀
This looks fantastic on you! You could make a little wrap-around skirt for it with the same fabric. This would make it look like a dress if you were walking to the beach. It already has a vintage look and this would add another element to it.
Lovely job! And a great color…
Thank you Peter! Maybe you should make one for Cathy!
You look great! And the swim suit looks adorable, too.
Your swim suit looks fabulous. I have been wanting to try this pattern for a while thanks for the inspiration.
This is fantastic! You did such a great job! I’ve been considering tackling that Alison pattern. Maybe you should make a little wrap skirt with the leftover fabric, that way you can use it as a wrap when you go to a restaurant or something after a beach day!
It looks great! And the shoes are an excellent touch too!
WOW! You are a MASTER!!!! Great:)!!!! And You look fabulous!!!!
Here I go again: wow wow wow! This is a very wearable muslin.
You look stunning, really. Beautiful. And this green colour wouldn’t be my first choice to pick, but it looks marvelous on you. Great job!
That is an amazing swimsuit! And you look so good in it! I love the colour.
Maybe you could make a matching bag to carry stuff in at the pool?
or a slightly comic swimming hat?
A bag! That is a good idea! Thank you
This is amazing swimsuit! And you look fantastic in it! Your husband is a really lucky guy. I just have to ask you, what fabric do you use for that white inside part on very private part of body? I just have to say that your butt looks great in it!
I just use ordinary jersey fabric from old T-shirt because this was supposed to be a muslin. But usually there is a special knit lining for swimwear that dries faster than ordinary jersey. I plan to buy this lining so I can fix the bathing suit
Wow, you look amazing in this swimsuit!! And you have a killer body! Love the green colour!
looks fabulous!
Wow, that looks amazing! It looks pretty comfortable too!
I actually really need some new swimmers, but it’s just starting into winter here now so there aren’t many in the shops – I’m really tempted to have a go at this!
I guess we’ll see what happens when my exams are over in a few weeks : )
OH MY GOD YOU LOOK ABSOLUTELY STUNNING IN THIS GREEN SWIMSUIT!!! I wish i could sew as well as you!