Posts

The Itsy-Bitsy Teeny-Weeny Bikini Challenge

We challenge you this month to sew your version of this iconic swimwear that first made a splash, back in the late 50s and early 60's. To give you an idea of evolution of swimwear, here's a great video on the history of swimwear (be aware…
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How to make a Ruched Triangle Top

I love it when a customer brings in a garment from ready to wear so we can see it. Not only is it good for us to see what the trends are for that season, it gives us a chance to see behind the seams - and really check out the construction. In…
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Tale of Two Triangles

Every now and then someone brings in foam cups from a ready to wear swimsuit for us to match up to what we have. Most often we have something very similar if not identical. However recently someone brought in a swimsuit top that had triangle…
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Bikini Time!

Bikini Time Just in time for sewing for the upcoming resort season - announcing the newest pattern in the Pin-up Girls line - the Triangles and Tangas Bikini pattern! Yes, it's Bikini Time! Pin-up Girls is proud to present this collection…

Yellow Polka Dot Bikini – Grand Finale

Now that the binding is finished, the bottom band can be sewn on and we will have our Yellow Polka Dot Bikini ready for the Grand Finale! Cut a strip of fabric at least 10" (25 cm) longer than the total width of the two cups. We are going to…

Yellow Polka Dot Bikini – Binding Edges

The Yellow Polka Dot Bikini is almost done! In this post, join me as I add binding edges of both sides and bottom of the foam cup (the triangle cups from Bra-makers Supply to be exact) without using any special machines, just an ordinary…

Yellow Polka Dot Bikini – Bottoms Up!

I finished sewing the Yellow Polka Dot Bikini bottoms this morning in class. All I had left to do after doing the stitch-and-flip lining ( you can see the post on that here) was to apply elastic to the waist and leg openings. As I mentioned…

Yellow Polka Dot Bikini – Elasticated Straps

The thin straps you find on most bikinis from ready-to-wear have elastic inside. In fact, it is somehow stitched inside that fabric tube that makes the straps, but without the stitching showing on the outside of the tube. Some of you might…

Yellow Polka Dot Bikini – Cup Covers

Now that the bikini bottoms are almost finished, it is time to start the cups and the cup covers. For this classic retro-styled Yellow Polka Dot Bikini, I am using the MT triangle cups from Bra-makers Supply. Even though foam cups would not…