Vintage Bikini mark II

1950's beach babes

I've been researching Vintage swimwear a bit more & trying to find some examples of what I could try in cotton fabric. It seems like the high waist is still going to be popular in the coming year & I really like the idea of  recreating those no stretch styles of the 1950's & 60's. After all there are so many girls who go to the beach or pool to be seen in something fashionable & not swim. I guess I also want them to be functional.

My search came up with some fab screen sirens in publicity shoots, as well as great bathing beauties of the time

Betty Grable

Carol Landis: So in love with this set. I think I'll try it next.

Janet Leigh

Grace Kelly

Ava Gardner

Ruching & skirts are super cute & perfect for someone who might want to distract from a touch of cellulite.

The gorgeous Norma Jean aka Marilyn Monroe

I love the frilled trim & skirt on this early Marilyn Two Piece below

The redrafted top didn't quite work as planned with the straps, so back to the drawing board I went. I tried a couple of different styles and finally came up with one I was happy with. It has great shape & sufficient support for a 10D. 

Now I just have to work out how to grade the sizing for different cup sizes.

However I have discovered this amazing website called Pattern School, a fabulous resource for drafting & making all manner of leotards, swimwear & lingerie. I just have to sit down & wade through the formulas & diagrams.

The pants were less problematic with the insertion of three lycra panels, but I'm not sure about the V in the back. I'm still having my usual issues with getting my elastic inserted just right, but these don't look too bad & they are super comfy. I guess I should do a water test to see how they react when wet.

Excuse my lily white skin.

So the learning curve continues. 

Bottoms Up

Yesterday after faffing about for most of the day with Pinterest & Etsy I was finally inspired by a gorgeous retro bathing suit on Antique Dress that was aptly made by Plain Jane. 

So at about 4pm I started perusing the swimsuit patterns I have amassed over the years & choose a design & some curtain fabric from the Frankston stash to start drafting something fabulous for EmpirerooM.

         

And this is what I came up with.

Being very careful not to snaffle any insider info from Hopeless Lingerie, who I sewed for a few years ago, I went with cotton. 

After the first baggy bottom version I did some tucking & darting & added several lycra panels, thus eliminating the need for waist elastic & the sand catcher in the backside. I'm quite pleased with draft number one.

Today I've redrafted the bra top adding a strap into the design instead of having a seam above the bust cup &making a more flattering neck line. This I did while watching Harry Potter & the Philosophers Stone with my sister.
I've also been working on a garter belt to match if this decides it wants to be lingerie rather than swimwear. At this point I think it could go either way, if there's enough bust support. Maybe a layer of padding would help. Mmmmmm?
Now to the machine to stitch it all back together & see if it works. Wish me luck.