Contour Swim Suit

©1997 StitchBoy
www.geocities.com/WestHollywood/Heights/3204/



Requires: 1 yard (91.5 cm) spandex; 1/2 yard (46 cm) swim lining; 1-1/2 yards (1.4 m) of 3/8 inch (9 mm) elastic; 1-1/2 yards (1.4 m) of 3/4-inch (18 mm) elastic; 2 yards (1.8 m) of drawcord.
Level: Fairly Easy

 

 

  • Place pattern on fabric as indicated.
  • Trace pattern onto fabric with tracing wheel.
  • Use a ballpoint needle for spandex.
  • Use a stitch length of 3mm on straight seams.
  • Sew straight seams 1/4-inch (6 mm)from edge.
  • Use a stitch length of 4mm on zigzag seams.
  • Use widest setting on zigzag seams.
  • Stretch fabric as you sew.
 

 

1) Arrange front pieces of fabric with pieces of lining as shown: lay down both fabric pieces,right sides facing each other, then lay lining pieces on top.

 

 

 2) Sew straight seam 1/4 inch (6 mm) from edge, sewing through all four layers of fabric.

 

3) Sew a wide zigzag stitch through all four layers of fabric, being sure the outside of the stitch catches the edge as you sew.

 

4) Unfold fabric as shown so that the two lining pieces are on top and the right sides of the fabric are facing down. This will hide the seam you made in steps 2 & 3.

 

NOTE: IF YOU'RE USING WHITE OR LIGHT-COLORED LYCRA, YOU SHOULD LINE THE BACK OF THE SUIT AS WELL. BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH STEP 5, CUT A PIECE OF LINING THE SAME SIZE AS THE BACK. LAY IT BEHIND THE BACK PIECE SO IT GETS SEWN TO THE WRONG SIDE OF THE FABRIC IN THIS STEP.

5) Using straight stitch, sew front to back (right sides of fabric facing each other) at side seams and crotch seam. 

 6) Sew a wide zigzag stitch over edges of side and crotch seams, being sure the outside of the stitch catches the edge as you sew.

Measure openings where indicated for elastic.

Cut 1 piece of 3/4 inch (18 mm) elastic for waist that is the circumference of waist opening(a) minus 1 inch.

Cut 2 pieces of 3/8 inch (9 mm) elastic for legs that is the circumference of the leg opening(b).

 7) Butt ends of waistband elastic to form a loop and stitch with a wide zigzag, using a 1 mm stitch width. Repeat for both pieces of leg elastic.

 

 8) Pin leg elastic to wrong side of fabric, flush with cut edge, from side seam to crotch seam on FRONT ONLY.
 9) Using zigzag stitch, sew elastic to edge of fabric, stretching elastic evenly across back of leg opening. Make sure stitch catches the edge of fabric. Repeat for both leg openings.
 10) Sew two buttonholes 3/8 inch (9 mm) from top of suit and 1/4 inch (6 mm) away from center seam 1/4 inch (6 mm) in length. Open buttonholes with seam ripper.

 

 11) Divide waistband elastic into fourth and mark with pins.
 12) Divide waist of suit into fourths and match marks with pins of waistband. Pin elastic to wrong side of fabric.
 13) Stitch elastic to fabric using a wide zigzag seam, stretching elastic to fit. Make sure stitch catches edges of fabric.

 

 14) Fold elastic to wrong side of fabric, so the edge of the elastic is enclosed by fabric. Using straight stitch, topstich through fabric and elastic. For a more finished look, use a twin needle.
 15) Cut drawcord the length of the waist plus 10 inches (25 cm). Knot one end and catch the other end in a safety pin and close it. Using the safety pin as a makeshift needle, thread into buttonhole and guide it around waist. Pull safety pin out of other buttonhole and the end of drawcord with it. Knot cord.
 16) Finished suit.
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