The Week of Swimsuits Pt 2: Kwik Sew 3608
Thanks for the kind words on the last post. Normally I wouldn’t even put pics of myself in a swimsuit on Facebook but I guess you guys are special and it’s all in the name of “sewing science”, right? I also can’t deny that these are slightly photoshopped pics – a little birth-mark erasing here, some tan line blending there… you get the idea. Anyway, let’s just agree to pay attention to the suit and not the model, ok? 😉
Here’s another swimsuit I made and it is probably my favorite because I think the design just looks so cool. It’s a monokini from Kwik Sew, #3608, which I think might be discontinued because I can’t find it on the KS website. You can still buy it online and probably in stores. I don’t know why they discontinued it because it is one of the more modern designs they have.
The pattern includes the strapless monokini and a tankini pattern which I like, too. I didn’t intend to blatantly copy the envelop design, either. I just had a bunch of really nice black nylon/lycra and used that.
This suit has a nifty shelf bra inside in the lining and some bust gathers on the sides. Again, I added some swim cups that I bought from Sew Sassy.
Kwik Sew has very good instructions and this suit whipped up in no time! Learning from my purple suit I decided to cut a size S but I discovered that I should have lengthened the suit in front by about 3/4″. When the sizes shrink widthwise they also get slightly shorter. I’ve lost weight but not height. Something new I need to consider when sewing… Either way it’s not too bad and I only had to pull the top up a few times.
Having never worn a monokini before I was worried that the center front piece would get floppy and loose whenever I’d bend over or sit down. To my surprise that wasn’t much of a problem. It stayed in place pretty well without getting folded as I moved around.
***A note on the upcoming swim suit sew-along: I’ll make a post with a list of swim suit patterns and have a poll on which one we want to make. If you have a pattern you know you want to try out leave a comment so I can consider it. During the voting time I’ll post a big list of necessary supplies and places you can find them online so you can order everything you need!
That is absolutely adorable.
Gorgeous swimsuit! Love the basic black but in a sexy style. You really rock this! And you make a lovely swimsuit model:)
Absolutely beautiful! Keep ’em coming! x
You look amazing! Love seeing your swimsuits. I really hope you made that last retro looking swimsuit from your sketches. I’m completely impressed.
Thanks! I did make the retro one but unfortunately I took it apart to replace the support lining in the cups. I’ll talk more about that in the supplies post later. One of these days I’ll get around to fixing the suit.
That looks fabulous!
totally awesome swimsuit !
Awesome! Great job and you look great in this z
Amazing! Once again – another adorable suit. I love these types of suits – I think they look so modern – though strapless styles are not this girls friend – but I could imagine it would be super easy to add an optional halter strap.
This one is really cool and sexy 🙂 Very very flattering! I would probably not wear this model, since my breasts are almost inexistent and it’d be washes away with the first wave.
Thanks! You know, I actually think this style works really well for small busts because they don’t need much support, just coverage.
What a cool suit! I’m sad the pattern’s out of print, I might actually be tempted to try sewing a suit so I could have this style… Great work, it looks very designer!
love this one. so glad you are making swimming suits. i made my first one a couple of years ago and was surprised at how easy and cheap it can be. yours look great.
This looks sooo good on you – fantastic!
I love this suit! I’ve always wanted to try this style out but don’t see it often in fabrics I like in stores.. Making one just might be the ticket!
Cant wait to do the sew along- I’ve wanted a suit EXACTLY like this for years! I’ve never done a swim suit, but am really pumped up now, seeing what great success you’re having! They are SO expensive in stores, too! Even if you didnt make the cutouts, this is a really flattering suit. Just check out some examples from American Apparel- images
You look stunning in all your suits! They look truly professional as well!
Oh wow, it looks totally cool!
Dixie, this is the darling-est bathing suit! I love the cut-away look.