I wanted to learn to make swimwear as we are getting a swim spa as part of our renovation/extension. Swimwear is horribly expensive to buy and I figure I will need more (when the Spa actually gets filled) and I am wearing them regularly. I made KwikSew 3239 which contains patterns for a variety of mix and match pieces. Mine worked fine, but I am not going to subject you to pictures of my very white body in a very purple two-piece. Suffice to say it will probably only be worn at home. However it did give me some practice sewing with swimsuit Lycra and rubber elastic.
For the next set I decided I needed more sensible togs, so chose to make Kwik sew 3153.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7U-XtcU0yyEJyjeJOLKqrrxU61_rLdq-JxoRHQvZmK0OXHfcdYpYhhIT5zAC01PCr1gRxl9ZsL2VBmYAbB9wQzAwlWzFYLf7LeGooct5Lkn4c_pprOsV4mDUiwBlRqu9t6hjPFXwWXoCO/s400/3153.jpg)
I made them in black and made the high cut leg option. I also made the wrap in a polyester yoru chiffon fabric, picked up on the clearance table at Spotlight.
This piccie shows the back so you can see the nice secure back.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5x1GaTrrtfeVEFQLfzF2Bk6zar2ubN2wwqbposrLJjkcSGEEp8E3zd9TOFyar5OWHxwdhC_7_jX1WUQ-yFhG6n9WkuU-LzG-wJAgdejjhHvQfrHXSlX4cnCFNzcqqu3B3fiIn4r98EGrT/s400/back.jpg)
The only change I made to the pattern was to add an additional layer of lining to the shelf bra. I sewed two rows of stitching down the middle and left the sides open. I inserted bra cups into the pockets. It doesn't add heaps of support but feels a bit more secure and more modest. I copied this off my gym wear tops and crop tops. This piccie shows the inside. You can see (if you look closely) that my machine missed a few stitches sewing the rubber elastic, but this wide elastic is tough and I think it did pretty well. I did not have this issue with the narrow elastic (probably not as thick as the wider elastic I imagine).
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOvylbz94oxL4X3Fo074njLIeZafBjPDwXPf1pJ7pFpOji-lFK6ZRgVVT7Y2WIRUpqXTmwmotoT5dncRB_azMYV4dFVvJSIlMbrJXROpuOtUQSeVnoYpbVnISWcNKnO5OyyTvWF7IRAhLH/s400/inside.jpg)
I haven't had a chance to try them in the water yet, but hope to soon!
I really enjoyed sewing these - more than I thought I would. Nothing was terribly difficult but sewing the elastic is probably the trickiest part. Overall I am very happy, but I suppose the proof will be when I get them wet!
My review of the pattern is here.
For the next set I decided I needed more sensible togs, so chose to make Kwik sew 3153.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7U-XtcU0yyEJyjeJOLKqrrxU61_rLdq-JxoRHQvZmK0OXHfcdYpYhhIT5zAC01PCr1gRxl9ZsL2VBmYAbB9wQzAwlWzFYLf7LeGooct5Lkn4c_pprOsV4mDUiwBlRqu9t6hjPFXwWXoCO/s400/3153.jpg)
I made them in black and made the high cut leg option. I also made the wrap in a polyester yoru chiffon fabric, picked up on the clearance table at Spotlight.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWx7Biqo2Dk1ik_cF5Dt07RgoYREkFOBs0RV-3KYyu-twT2KzDQAFBP4RU05QXGWQZOVOhkPMizcu8g81Zv41WG7HEo2Njv-651mfBxS7DsyzWz7A53TnSVIrxj1V8tRotrRVjPfB3Pbm4/s400/ks3153.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5x1GaTrrtfeVEFQLfzF2Bk6zar2ubN2wwqbposrLJjkcSGEEp8E3zd9TOFyar5OWHxwdhC_7_jX1WUQ-yFhG6n9WkuU-LzG-wJAgdejjhHvQfrHXSlX4cnCFNzcqqu3B3fiIn4r98EGrT/s400/back.jpg)
The only change I made to the pattern was to add an additional layer of lining to the shelf bra. I sewed two rows of stitching down the middle and left the sides open. I inserted bra cups into the pockets. It doesn't add heaps of support but feels a bit more secure and more modest. I copied this off my gym wear tops and crop tops. This piccie shows the inside. You can see (if you look closely) that my machine missed a few stitches sewing the rubber elastic, but this wide elastic is tough and I think it did pretty well. I did not have this issue with the narrow elastic (probably not as thick as the wider elastic I imagine).
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOvylbz94oxL4X3Fo074njLIeZafBjPDwXPf1pJ7pFpOji-lFK6ZRgVVT7Y2WIRUpqXTmwmotoT5dncRB_azMYV4dFVvJSIlMbrJXROpuOtUQSeVnoYpbVnISWcNKnO5OyyTvWF7IRAhLH/s400/inside.jpg)
I haven't had a chance to try them in the water yet, but hope to soon!
I really enjoyed sewing these - more than I thought I would. Nothing was terribly difficult but sewing the elastic is probably the trickiest part. Overall I am very happy, but I suppose the proof will be when I get them wet!
My review of the pattern is here.