Hello! I’ve made this new bikini…
Pattern: the Sophie swimsuit by Closet Case patterns; and yes, I did make two sets of Sophie bikinis earlier in the year when I was testing this pattern but there were things about both pairs that I wasn’t happy with. With the pink/black one, while I really liked the bikini top, I really didn’t like how the colour blocking on the bottoms looked. And with my grey pair, the bikini cups really were just too scant for my liking.
But mostly, it just came over me that I really wanted a black bikini this year. I’ve also kept the pink/black top, altered it to be a halter neck; and also the charcoal bottoms and plan to continue wearing them too, mixing and matching with each other and with my new black ones here too. Now I’ve got so much choice!
Fabric: a quite thick, black stretch polyester/lycra fabric from Fabulous Fabrics. It has a slightly rough side which I prefer to the smooth shiny “right” side, so I used the rougher side out for my right side. This is what you can do when you Make Your Own!
Now, sizes and fit; and this is my tip for fitting a foam-lined bra/bikini top: Cut out the foam cups, baste together and test the fit of these on you FIRST! Once the fit of the foam cups is perfect, repeat the same alterations to your fashion fabric… This is the exact same advice I would give for self-fitting a foam lined bra for yourself.
My own personal fit modifications… and please skip this bit if you want! after all it’s only of interest to me, really! For both my black, and my pink/black bikini tops, I cut the size 4 but with a size 4 cup. I pieced together the 4/4 foam cups to check the fit. I like the size of this cup on me, coverage-wise, but the fit was just a little “pouffy” so I unpicked and shaved off or “flattened out” some of the curve (about 4mm) from the vertical middle seam on each of the cup pieces. Doing this gave me a really excellent fit; so then I just cut out the fabric cup pieces the same way; shaving off 4mm of curve from the inner edges of each cup piece. Otherwise I just made them exactly to the pattern, and recycled the bikini hook closure and underwires from that grey bikini top. That very scant grey bikini top I had made previously, was a size 4 with size 2 cups. It “fitted”, but had not enough coverage!!
With the bottoms; my black fabric is quite thick, almost a little scuba-like and isn’t hugely stretchy, so to be on the safe side I made size 6 bottoms grading out to an 8 at the hips. I didn’t think it needed a full lining but I did incorporate a “panty liner” of white stretch fabric, sandwiched between the front and back in the joining seam and basted it along each leg edge before attaching my swimwear elastic. I topstitched on each side of all vertical seams 1/8″ out from each side (above). You can barely even see this with the naked eye actually because of the black-on-black! but I just wanted it to be all finished off nicely and to stylistically fit in with that same topstitching on the bikini top 🙂
Sienna doesn’t like me going in…
… and is always relieved when I come out ok! Craig took these pictures and it makes me laugh how I kinda look like an IronMan or something, charging athletically out of the surf, haha! The water was cold!
I don’t mind seeing another gorgeous bikini. You can sew ten more if it were up to me. I also enjoyed the pictures!
we had plenty of frost this morning and now I see your lovely beach view pictures – so envious. Of the scenery and your new swimsuit, looks fantastic. Interesting that you call it a bikini – my California coast self would would only call something a bikini if the bottoms were cut much lower. all these great swimsuits I see are tempting me to sew one – maybe one of these days
Thanks, Beth! And that’s interesting about what you would call a bikini… What would you call this type of suit then? Here any 2-piece suit would be called a bikini, as long as some flesh was bare between the top and bottom. If the top was long enough to cover the bottom we’d call it a tankini. And Muslim ladies here sometimes wear a sort of bodysuit with an incorporated tight “hood” known as a burkini 🙂
Beautiful bikini! It’s so elegant in all black! I’ll have to try a solid version next summer! Mix and match pieces are the best! Great pics too!
Love the last photo and your new bikini is so classic but you can have fun mixing it with the other pieces.
Your black bikini looks very good! I have to say that I liked the pink bottom, too. I can see that an improved fit is lovely. Now you have got some choice with all of your bikinis you have made. Wonderful pics, I for myself am just coming home, it is -4*C outside!
Love your new bikini – so chic in black!
I always enjoy your swimmers makes. And the black is a knockout. Glad to see Sienna in the pics…such a sweet looking pup and companion.
Fabulous looking bikini and fits you beautifully. You are brave to go swimming at this time of year. The water must be freezing. Great photos!
I wasn’t sold on the spliced bottoms either which is why I made my regular bottoms. I do love the top though! I would love a black pair as well, so classic!
i love it in black.. and it’s a great idea to have couple of tops and bottoms made out of same pattern, in colors that you can mix and match.. i have my mix and match bikinis made from different patterns, so i end up with bunch of different tan lines after couple of days in the sun 😀
Very chic – and a beach babe like you needs a few options for summer!
Looks gorgeous in black … the little black bikini I love the halter
Very flattering! My DD is looking for a bikini for her upcoming trip to Thailand and the top she liked was $150 US$!!!! Ridiculous. But I am not offering to make her one 🙂
You look fantastic in your new bikini and how fun it’ll be to mix ‘n match this season! *Heart* sweet Sienna! 🙂
Yes, this is a marvellous pattern and you look fantastic in it!
oh Caroline you look fabulous in that black bikini – something I wouldn’t wear myself on a bet not in possession of such a lovely shape 🙂
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