Jalie 2446 ... Swimsuit

I decided my March challenge would be to enter the swimsuit contest.  I have made a swimsuit but am not at all happy with it, particularly the top.

I chose Jalie 2446 and decided to try and use the swimwear fabric I had on hand.  So black and purple it is.  I had wanted to make the suit mainly black with purple piping, but didn't have enough black to cut the top as well as bottoms, so ended up with black bottoms and purple top.  I still added piping to try and tie the pieces together.

These are View A boy shorts in black with some purple piping in the waistband.

I love the fit of these pants, but the instructions say to insert wide elastic (40mm) the same length as the waistband into the waistband.  Suddenly my great fit is gone and I am in muffin-top city! The swimwear elastic is very stiff and unforgiving and this does not work for me at all.  I have removed the elastic and as I mainly plan to wear these into the spa (not the surf) they do stay up well enough.  If I were to make these again I would put in narrower elastic, sewn at the inside, top of the waistband. .  

I also made View B pants as I had considered making a little mix and match wardrobe from this pattern.  These pants are a great fit and I have no issue with these.  To add the purple piping I cut the pants front 1/2" taller, split them about 1 1/2" from the top and sewed in the piping.  The piping was cut to a width of 3/4", folded over and sewn with a 1/4" seam.  (Hope this makes sense?)

I fully lined both pants bottoms.

The top...*sigh*... I had very high hopes that these would be similar to a RTW pair I have.  I had wanted to make them in black with purple piping, but could not cut it out of the fabric I had, so ended up with the opposite colourway.  This could be part of the issue as the purple is quite shiny and appears to gather unattractively.  My other major issue is the band under the cups.  It is sewn to the cups, then the seam is folded toward the band and top stitched to hold it in place.  Then the elastic is inserted into the band.   First time I top stitched the seam down I did not leave enough width for the elastic, so had to unpick it and sew it again really close to the edge.  Then the elastic is inserted and the clasps sewn on.  

There is a minor mistake in the instructions which says to turn the top ties out to the RS before attaching them to the cups.   Well you end up turning them back out the wrong way to do that.  Not a biggie, but annoying.

The band under the cups when worn does not sit nicely.  I have considered tightening it but am concerned I may just end up with more rolls! 

However, on a more positive note, I like the cups are lined and then you sew a separate piece of shortened lining that allows you to inset a bra cup. If I could find a padded insert, this could help me fill out the cups better and may make it look more flattering (I am a b cup).

I also added some black piping to the inside of the cups.

I have some photos of the swimsuit in View A on me - pleas excuse my snowy white tummy!

In summary, I have loved every Jalie pattern I have made, except this one.  This pattern did not live up to my expectations and I think there are better patterns out there.

In other news, I have been sewing but have not been able to rustle up my photographer (except for these quick snaps in the swimmers).  I have two other items to show you - the StyleArc Maggie jacket and the Biegnet skirt.  To whet your appetite a snap of the Maggie jacket.

  I will be back soon with a jacket review and more pics!  Ciao for now!

Another Ottobre Katherine top - this time in stripes...

From Ottobre 2/2010 another version of the Katherine top.  This is my third, the first two can be seen here.

Obviously I love this pattern and wear my other two tops a lot, so I decided to make another one, this time in stripes similarly to the one pictured in the magazine.

I don't know if I am overdoing this top, but I figure if I like to wear it, at least when I make another one I know it will be a useful part of my wardrobe.  Luckily the latest Ottobre has a similar tee-shirt but with a gather on the sleeve, so I think I will try that one next time (3 ruffle sleeved tee-shirts may actually be enough for the moment!)

The differences I made were to lengthen the top by about an inch.  I also sewed the neckline 'ruffle' as a binding this time.  The last change was that I did not use a rolled hem on the edges of the ruffle, but instead left them raw.

I used this great tip to make a template this time to help make the ruffle placement easier.  Thanks again Sandra!  I thought I did an excellent job on stripe matching but forgot to ask for a photo so you will have to take my word on that one!  :)

For those interested the skirt is McCalls 5566 - first shown here.  I love this skirt and actually got asked where I bought it from last time I wore it... so flattering when they like what you sew!  I love a good denim skirt and really think a few more would fit in well with my lifestyle.  My only negative comment on wearing this skirt is that the facing rolls out easily.  I used a quilting cotton which was interfaced and it is too soft.  It either needs to be interfaced more heavily or made a little longer.... next time...

I have almost finished my Beignet skirt.  I am waiting on the buttons I have ordered to arrive.  I was hoping to have it done to photograph with this top but it is taking longer than expected - a lot of work in the skirt but I am loving it so far!  It is in black and I think will work really well with this little tee.  If I love, love the skirt once it is finished and worn, I plan to make some more.

However I am not sure which way to go next... swimmers for the pattern review contest, casual jacket or toile for an evening dress???? ... Ciao... hope to get back in the sewing room soon...