G’day beach babes! OK so I admit it is winter here in Australia now. I can explain…
The very clever Heather of Closet Case Files has dropped a literal Bombshell on the sewing world with this, her inaugural swimsuit pattern, and I was honoured that she asked me to be a pattern tester, woot!! So thrilling! This is the first time evah I have been asked to test a pattern, so that was pretty exciting for me! Thanks Heather!
The pattern for the Bombshell swimsuit is available here. So how ultra glamorous is this style, huh? Honestly, I think that this is like the most flattering swimsuit I have ever owned… including RTW. I even bravely turned my back to the camera, to show the rear view… yikes! Normally I would be waaay too terrified to model the rear view of a swimsuit, on the internet. But you know what? the back of this swimsuit is actually very flattering to the be-hind, and even looks… dare I say it! quite lovely? Believe me, I would not be turning my back to the camera in just any old swimsuit! The sides and back come down far enough to modestly covers one’s entire bottom, which is very nice.
In fact, not just the bottom but the whole style is very demure and sweetly retro. The full-body ruching and straight boy-leg cut is reminiscent of the 50’s. Heather has designed three styles; style A has a gathered bust with a wide-set strap, style B is a halter neck, which can also be constructed as a pair of high-waisted bikini bottoms (style C) See Heather’s gorgeous versions of styles A and B here.
This is style B, and I used a white polyester knit from Fabulous Fabrics. White swimwear can be scarily see-through when wet, but in this design both front and back has two layers of fabric, and with the outer layer heavily ruched, meaning you have pretty much two and a half layers of fabric covering your body. So I think it’ll be pretty modest in the water 🙂
Do you like this swimsuit? if so then I have very good news!
Heather is generously giving away a copy of the pattern to one lucky reader of my blog… so for a chance to win then please leave a comment on this post before Monday 10th June. If you have never made a swimsuit before and are nervous about the techniques involved then never fear; Heather has that base covered. She will be running a Bombshell sewalong on Closet Case Files, commencing on Monday 17th June.
Later edit: Thank you all for those lovely compliments! the pattern recipient has been notified.
Details:
Bathers; Closet Case Files Bombshell, white polyester knit
Hat; Country Road
Sandals; Misano
Wow. That looks great. A white swimsuit. Scary.
I don't even own a swimsuit and can't stand the idea of going and trying them on, so perhaps making one is the answer! Thanks for the give away and your swimsuit look amazing!
It's so lovely, I think the white is very glam! I would love to win this pattern, being from South Africa we are sharing winter with you – but that would give me the whole season to perfect my first ever me-made costume.
This pattern and swimsuit are really glam and retro. I love her halterneck version too. I think I could be tempted to give a go for next summer!
I was about to download a Burda swimsuit to make for a trip I am taking shortly, but I am now, immediately, off to check this out! You look absolutely lovely in this swimsuit!
It is so hard to find a great swimsuit but this is a great version. I'm tempted. And white, wow, I'm not sure I could pull that off!
You look Hollywood in the 40s fabulous. It is indeed hard to find a good pair of bathers, and the whole trying them on things is awful!!
What a gorgeous swimsuit and you look fantastic in it. Would love to win this..think it will be the perfect swimsuit for me.
Wow, for that I might be willing to break my "no lycra" rule. I don't think I'm brave enough to do white though. Maybe black, or navy, or…….
What a glamorous Hollywood retro swimsuit. You look fabulous.
Gorgeous costume and so flattering.
omg!! great.
Gorgeous Cazza … when summer arrives back in Australia I won't be preggers and would be brave enough to try this pattern … looks very flattering .
It looks fabulous! My only question is whether the extensiony bits around the legs ride up at all when you move?
Beautiful swimming costume
Wow! Beautiful! i'd love to have a go myself…
That is a gorgeous suit and you look great modeling it. I try not to think about swimsuits much any more…
Looks great. I love how you styled it with the big hat.
Kathleen
That is just gorgeous! Have fun in it next summer!
it's fabulous! loving all the versions of this i have seen popping up online. it does seem to look great on everyone!
I plan on buying it, but if I won it, I wouldn't complain 🙂
Jawdropping. I want to make one!
You look fabulous. The swimsuit is great. Please do not enter me in the drawing because I will not wear swimsuits. Seriously, you look great in it.
I have never ever wanted to sew a swimsuit before, but seeing your version, as well as Heather's version, I am very tempted!
That is so stunning and classy on you, love the back rushing detail and the leg line. Very retro.
You look fabulous! What a great swimsuit.. I saw it on her blog the other day and was very impressed! I can't believe no one has asked you to be a pattern tester before!
great suit! I dread swimsuit shopping and would love to make my own
Such a glamorous swimsuit. Beautiful!
Just to say you look lovely in your new swimsuit, but please don't enter me for the giveaway. I am afraid in my case without underwiring all is lost!
Philippa, I will be doing a post on adding support to the suit in the sewalong! But more of the foam cup/hidden shelf variety….
Carolyn, the suit looks lovely on you! White was the perfect choice, so elegant and glamorous.
This looks awesome!! I love this style! I would totally make this!
Wow – you look amazing!! This is such a gorgeous swimsuit, and I'd love the chance to make this!
Could you hear me screaming in joy from Canada? My coworkers were like "HEATHER! STOP SCREAMING AT THAT AMAZING BABERONI IN THE WHITE BATHING SUIT!" I don't have words for how overjoyed I am to see your version. The white was an inspired choice (Soooooo classy!) and it really looks crazy amazing on (how many kids have yoou had?! I don't believe you). Thansk again for making it – you are of my favouritest bloggers and it makes me so happy that you are happy with the pattern!
Oh! You belong on a sun soaked beach in Nice in this stunner! What an awesome suit!
I've always wanted to make a retro-style swimsuit. It looks so lovely on you. So enter me, please. And yes. I am still here lurking, loving all your posts as always. I've been enjoying my new grandbaby. He is three months old now. And my sweet little Samantha will be 2 in August. My how time flies. My hubby and I are going by Mimi and Poppy.
How lovely! I am often too tall for 1-piece swimsuits and yet the idea of making my own never occurred to me. This pattern (and your white suit) is really cute!
I love this swimsuit and think you look lovely in it. I can't believe this is the first time you have been asked to test a pattern…I think I assumed that many, many designers would appreciate feedback from someone who sews as beautifully as you do. Thanks for the chance to win the pattern!
This is my kind of suit – classy, with a sexy modesty rarely seen in today's suits. Love it!
just beautiful – i'd love this pattern, it's exactly what i've had in my head for a while now for a swimsuit… i have the prefect pink lycra to use…
That is lovely Carolyn! Very retro and sexy all at the same time. ~Teri
fantastic, you are ready for a resort vacation.
It is gorgeous, all the way around! I have never made a swimsuit, but this makes me want to try.
Yes, Yes, Yes!!! Love it.
I would love to win this as the only modest suits i've found in the UK are upwards of £60!
I would love to win this as the only modest suits i've found in the UK are upwards of £60!
WOW, I love, love, love this pattern! I have yet to find a bathing suit pattern that I like until now. You did a fabulous job with it!
Fabulous Suit And You Look AmazinG! 🙂
I have been looking for a good suit pattern that has a nice vintage vibe but can handle the workout swimming with my kids dishes out. This looks like a winner! And the runching all over looks very 'pig out at a picnic' friendly!
That is gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!
You look great and the design is great! Wow! This might be my start into swimwear sewing…
You look fabulous! That's pretty much the swimsuit that's been sitting in my head for me to draft for the eventual day that I decide to sew my own swimsuit. Now that Heather beat me to it, I don't have to!
This is perfection!
Oooh, how lovely! And may I say, Carolyn, that you look fabulous! I love the ruching (amazing!) and this is definitely up my retro-loving alley. 🙂
My goodness, this is a fantastic pattern! Your white suit turned out fantastic.
Lovely. I have been scheming on making a swimsuit. I love this one.
Lovely. I have been scheming on making a swimsuit. I love this one.
Wow. You definitely look like a bombshell in this swimsuit. Too bad it's winter and you don't get to show it off yet.
Perfect- very retro, very flattering. I'm not sure I could pull off this look as well as you but I would love the chance to get my hands on a suit like this. I think I'll be making a visit to Heather's site. By the way, you look fantastic in this.
That is a lovley swimsuite. Even my uuhhhh……zombie feasting size would like pretty alright in this suite….maybe
SO CUTE, Carolyn! Very very retro, in the best way.
I love it! And you're right, it looks really flattering from the back. Not easy to do in a swimsuit!
Absolutely lovely. I am almost tempted to try this one when I see you in this beautiful swim suit, looks so great on you. But I know it won't fit, so I won't do it. Still tempting though…
Charming. Thank you for the opportunity!
Rose in SV
Wow! Gorgeous. And lovely in white (a rarely seen swimwear color!).
Stunning! It's such a gorgeous pattern and your white version is so elegant.
Bombshell indeed ny friend. I got the pattern this morning.. So cool seeing your version in white…
Wow, there's big competition for the pattern, if I win, I promise to make it up within the month!
Lovely! I was worried that the ruching (based on the tech drawing) would make the suit chunky but it really doesn't at all and you look great!
Oh, what an exciting giveaway! If you say the pattern has all the details involved clearly stated, then I have no fear. I love this bathing suit!
I'd love a chance to win! This ended up being so cute!!
Your suit looks amazing! I have been giving some thought to sewing my own swimwear, and would love to try this pattern out :o)
This looks great on you, I would love to try it out!
i am definietly makeing this swimsuit – even though im scared of sewing with knits and elastic. It is cute enough to overcome that fear. 🙂
Elegant as always. I'd love to win. Thanks for the review.
So cute! A white swimsuit makes it ultra retro 😉
You look amazing in the swimsuit Carolyn.
I have always maintained that I have no interest in sewing swimsuits. You've changed my mind. I'd love to give it a try.
This. Looks. FANTASTIC. You can leave me out of the giveaway as I blacked out the minute I saw the pattern and ordered it! But GIRL! This looks AWESOME!
Gorgeous! I love the white.
Wow! You look devine! I love this kind of retro swimming suits. The gathering looks like it would be a bit tricky but just watching you in it makes me want one! (As usual 🙂
So elegant! Fantastic!
bombshell indeed! especially in white, it's very marilyn. learning to do swimsuits is high on my teach-myself-to-sew list, and retro suits are so fun!
Wow you look fantastic great job, I would love one of these!
You look fandamntastic! Great pattern, and you rock it. You just used a regular polyester knit? Not bathing suit fabric?
beckster: it's winter here; so bathing suit fabric is even thinner on the ground than normal, but I still wanted to test Heather's pattern. Anyhow, I'm not a heavy duty swimmer, more of a dip in, bob about for a while, then get out sort of a swimmer. When my bathers do wear out I can easily make another pair 🙂
What a fantastic design, and it looks really lovely in white. Can't wait to try it out myself.
Carolyn, you look fantastic! Thanks for being brave enough to model because it looks like a great swimsuit pattern and I would love to make it up.
What a knock out bathing suit! Thanks for braving the winter in a bathing suit – it looks great! I'd love to be entered into the giveaway. Thanks!
I love it! I have been looking for an old style bathing suit for our upcoming Maui vacation! It is hard to find flattering and modest all in the same suit, but this has it! Please enter me in the drawing, and you did an awesome job on the suit!
I absolutely LOVE this swimsuit pattern!!
Love it!!! I just purchased some swimsuit fabric that I would love use with this pattern. Looks fabulous on you.
Hawt! I would love to give this one a try. You look fab as always 🙂
Cute! Love the white and the ruching!
that's my kind of swim suit and you look fabulous 🙂
Absolutely love your color choice for this suit. This now gets another vote in my "purchase now" queue.
That's the most perfect suit ever!
Wow, and I have just put myself on a pattern diet……
Hawt hawt hawt! Looks amazing and super super flattering!
Lookin' good, girl! and the suit is so pretty, love the retro lines. My mom was a model in California in the 40's, this reminds me of pics of her in swimsuits posing on the rocks by the ocean…
LOVE LOVE LOVE this most gorgeous swimsuit !!! I would love to win the pattern! Thank out for posting!
Oh my goodness, it looks amazing and you've styled it beautifully with the hat. I'd like to enter the giveaway, please!
You look ah-mah-zing!!! Thank you for sharing and also for the chance to win a pattern. Just lovely 🙂
Oh my gosh – you look fantastic! I love this swimsuit – I think I've just found my new swimmers! Thanks for sharing.
Very, very nice!
You are so right – there's no pattern like that. It is completely awesome.
I also love it how the overskirt is a tiny bit see through so you can see the hint of the bikini bottoms. In this swimsuit, every woman can be a swimsuit model or feel like that!
Wow what a lovely suit, have never sewn swimwear before but think i,d like to have a go having seen this 😉 Thanks for the chance to win
Gorgeous swimsuit and this could even get me to make one!
I was just saying to DH I need to make a new swimsuit – we have a spa (and when the neighbors are home) I need a swimsuit even though it is not swimming weather! That is one flattering suit and you need not worry about putting your pics up – you look great!
This is a perfect swimsuit, retro look, modern fabrics and if the instructions are as helpful as you mention, yes please!! I adore your makes & you are my inspiration for Japanese patterns, so lets add swimsuits to that 😉 And it will get lots of wear once this Australian winter turns into spring and summer again.
Wow! Your post is going to sell a lot of swimsuit patterns!
Gosh you have so many comments I am not sure you will even read this – lovely swimsuit and it is so flattering.
Lovely suit. You look fabulous in it, even from behind. I love this look!
Great swimsuit.YOu look fab in it 🙂
A beautiful costume. I SOoo need some new bathers.
This swimsuit does look beautiful on you, Carolyn! Congratulations on being chosen as a pattern tester for such a lovely pattern. And look at all the comments on this post – wow!!
Simply gorgeous! I need to start looking for the perfect fabric for my version – won't be white! I'll also need to add a bra, but by the looks of things, it'll be worth the trouble. Would love to rock up at my local pool looking bombshell-(ish)!
Well, I think I am comment 118. Wow. Anyway, that is a beautiful swimsuit and your work is lovely. I like that it has some modesty as I will be even closer to 60 in just 5 more days!!
Wow, I ink this is the first time I've been tempted to make a swimsuit. Actually, any swimsuit scares me but this one looks modest and sweet at the same time. And white was a bold color choice! Way to go!
Oh, I just love this swimsuit! I used to have one years ago, and everybody made fun of me! Now, they are in style, and I'm so glad! Thanks for hosting the giveaway and I'm delighted to have found your blog.
i really realy want to make a swimsuit!!
i LOVE your swimsuit!! it looks really nice on you and it is just so thoughtfully made! i'd love to give it a try 🙂 thank you for the giveaway!
123 comments! That's quite a tribute. Stunning swimsuit on a stunning girl.
I LOVE this swimsuit! I've been looking for something in this style that was affordable and that used actual swimsuit material (many vintage swimsuit patterns say to use cotton and have zippers). Thank you for the opportunity to win this pattern.
Sarah
fiddlemeone(at)yahoo(dot)com
I have never tried making a swimsuit, always scared to do so, but this pattern is so lovely I feel I have to try!
I have never tried making a swimsuit, always scared to do so, but this pattern is so lovely I feel I have to try!
wowsers, what a figure! You and your swimsuit are stunning!
Wow Carolyn . You look fantastic!
I think a suit like this is screaming for a mid winter tropical island holiday. It is lovely and well done with the motivation to make swimwear in the depths of winter.
I am totally coveting this suit! Gorgeous and can't wait to get it and make it!
I never thought I would make a swimsuit but there is no way I can resist this one!
I never thought I would make a swimsuit but there is no way I can resist this one!
P.S. Sorry duplicate comment but Open ID was not working in the above one, and name/url is not an option and it will not let me delete so I have commented from my personal account…Count this comment please!
This bathing suit looks fantastic! I can't wait to try it!
"White bombshell"…..such an apt description!
Gorgeous pattern… and perfect styling, too!!!
Wow! Lovely suit.
Gorgeous! You did such a good job.
I LOVE the swimsuit! You did a great job on this one! Can't believe I love it in white???
Gorgeous! I'd love to try my hand at that!
Oh wow, most pretty white swimsuit ever, so flattering and stylish 🙂 I'd love the chance to win a copy of the pattern too, please count me in 😉
What a great suit and the white you used makes it so "movie star" and chic. I might be tempted to take my kids to the pool in a suit like that!
Please include me in the contest – I've never sewn swimwear and would love to try.
So gorgeous, a white swimsuit is just the epitome of glamour. Thanks for modeling your beautiful make 🙂
Wow what a great version of the pattern you look fabulous!
I have seen several versions by now, but this white one is such a classy take on the pattern and suites you very well…
Good job!
It looks great on you, Carolyn!!! Super cute! I love the ruching body. Please count me in for the giveaway!
Wow, it's totally gorgeous.
It's beautiful on you 🙂
You look amazing. Glad you enjoyed pattern testing too. It's a giving experince. And fun.
Seeing all these bombshells swimsuits is making me (the goddess of swimsuit fear) feel inspired. Lovely make.
love it!
Ah darn, I'm behind on commenting… 😉
But anyway, that swimsuit looks seriously lovely!
you look great!! really nice pattern and in white.. gorgeous!!
This is beautiful; exactly what I wish I could find for myself in a store! One question, though — were there any instructions included with the pattern for how you could build more support into the bust of this suit? My problem with halters in RTW is that my big, heavy boobs make the neck ties really cut into me. I think I would need some kind of built-in underwire bra that hooked in the back, and/or criss-cross straps in back rather than the halter tie, but I'm a beginner sewer with a capital B and I don't know how to even go about that. Second question — did you make this on a regular sewing machine, or with a serger?
thank you Rebecca! and in reply; the designer, Heather, is going to be discussing how to add extra support for a full bust into the bodice during the 
Bombshell swimsuit sewalong on her blog…
Secondly, I constructed almost the entire thing on my sewing machine… I did use my overlocker to hold edges together at a few stages but really could have used my machine for this too.
Beautiful!
Love your swimsuit and have just downloaded the pattern. One question – how do you print it on A4 (in Australia we use metric size paper) to get the sizing right?
I have just worked it out. Sorry to bother you. And I still love your swimsuit.