Sunday, June 12, 2011

crafts:: retro swimsuit diy

i've been meaning to give vintage swim-things a go. in my mind i thought it'd be cute, little prints, frilly thingmagings paired with my summer espadrilles. perfect for a cocktail at sunset. and need i mention how brilliant it is that it provides more fabric to keep everything in place?? 

inspired by very purple person, i downloaded the alison pattern (for free) from burdastyle and picked up a piece of stretchy fabric from my stash. its not swimsuit appropriate but i needed something to get started with!! its my first time using a pattern and ambitious as i was it HAD to be stretchy fabric and it HAD to be so darn hard to fit!! 

6 intense hours later, i was done and slipped it on. but it was wrong in so many places. the chest a little too big, back a little too frumpy and the leg hole a little too conservative. so i nipped and tucked a little here and there. but i guess that's my verdict, maybe im not cut out for the classic retro bathing suits, which typically provides more coverage. 

i hmm-ed and ahh-ed if i should be modelling my own swimsuit but daniel won't put it on (what a bummer!!!) and musashi... well, he's too young for swimsuit shoots still. we'll think about it when he turns eight.

so here goes... 
hello, yellow!
and my modified back..

i mentioned that i might raise the leg-line a little and the husband chipped in, well... you already lowered the neckline, and removed the entire back of the bathing suit... which made me feel like a bit of a tart. so i left the legs as they were!!

xx

16 comments:

  1. It's amazeballs! The color looks great on you too. A+!

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  2. saw you at flamingo Toes - very cute suit! You did a great job!

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  3. Nevermind the original design. I think you did a great job on these!

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  4. Absolutely impressed babe!!! You've completely outdone yourself!!! I'm in love with the gathered back. Will be very flattering on small asses like mine. So impressed!!!!

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  5. amazing. Love it! I have been wanting to try vintage suits as well. Came over from niftythriftythings.
    amy
    greeneggsnhamm.blogspot.com

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  6. It looks really good!!!!

    Love the back!

    And you have really good skin!

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  7. @Jessica at Me Sew Crazy

    hi jessica! :) thanks for visiting!! im a huge fan of your crafty blog! :)

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  8. @Ruth

    haha! thanks ruth! i keep telling myself that too! :)

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  9. @Yi Lian

    same intention, babe! i have an almost negligible arse to boast about!! :(

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  10. @HammBone

    you should definitely give it a go! the pattern is available for download from burdastyle and there are a bunch of tutorials to help you along!

    i'd love to see your end product if you do attempt it! :)

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  11. @kennytricia

    hahah! :) thats my favorite part of the swim suit. but i think it would give a pretty weird tan-line! :)

    thanks babe! its a good photography!!

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  12. yay!! well done hon!!! i love it!!! and if you think raising the leg-line will make it look better, do it! you're the crafter, you're in charge!

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  13. @punkychewster

    i love it! :) babe, you're hilarious!! i can imagine you fistpumping when saying it! :) *hugs*

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  14. Wow! I'm amazed! I've never even thought about making my own swimsuit, but it's such a clever idea!
    Thank you so much for linking this up to {nifty thrifty sunday} last week!
    Hope to see you again this weekend!
    xoxo,
    Vanessa

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  15. oh my goodness, you are just too awesome!!

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  16. @sepps2

    thanks honey! :) i try!!

    im onto this crazy vintage dress refashion. totally regretting it now. it might not ever be completed. booo....

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