I made these bathers and took these photos over a month ago… hehe I just checked; 19th November! What with the pre-Christmas social whirl and pressie-making craziness, I completely forgot about putting them up here, although I’ve been wearing them almost every day and actually happen to adore them too. Oops!
I bought this gorgeous Liberty swimwear fabric from the Fabric Store, it’s the Liberty of London Argyll Swim in Mistral B… fell in love with this pretty print just about immediately; and those lovely bubblegum colours! I’m having such a pink moment! I planned at first to sew up my regular tankini adaption of McCalls 2772, and even cut out the pieces for the tankini. But then hesitated, had a sudden attack of the oh here we go agains… see; I always make the tankini version of this pattern and never the bikini. Plodding about mindlessly in the ol’ comfort zone as usual… and I really enjoyed wearing my black Sophie bikini last year. Why not be daring and make the bikini?!! Old-me would have worried about such nonsense as age-appropriateness, but now-me is getting over that now. I also asked my resident swimwear experts (Cassie and Craig) who both voted for bikini. Alrighty then! So I just dived right in … dove?
Not much else to say! only that I really really love this style of slightly blowsy halter neck top; I think it’s quite flattering to my figure, and I like the nice full-bottom coverage of the bottoms too. One of the reasons I started making my own swimwear in the first place, even before I swore off buying rtw, was because of the at-the-time fashion for extremely skimpy bottoms. Oh, and also because you weren’t allowed to buy a different sized bikini top and bottom, in spite of the fact that they’re priced as separate items. Ha! I still have vague memories of the actual day I called a halt to the sheer awfulness of swimwear-shopping… three very small children in tow, one in the pram… back and forth, in and out of the changing room… and those lights!! the refusal of the sales girls to comprehend that one wanted a size 12 bottom and a size 10 top… “No, I’m afraid you’ll have to buy two pairs of bathers if you want that!” It was so frustrating! I just went straight to the fabric store for a pattern. Never again!!
Details:
Bathers; McCalls 2772 bought probably about 22yrs ago now, in Liberty swimsuit fabric
Hat; Country Road, also bought probably 22 yrs ago now! it’s been a goodie. I like it because I can hide my face like a movie star and thus be kinda anonymous while wearing my bathers on the internet, hehe 🙂
Your two tone legs are an amusement to me, I would be white all over! Great swimsuit. Jo x
I love it! Even though it is cold outside, you now have me entertaining making a new suit this year for summer!
It’s so cool to be able to make your own bathers and not have to compromise with the fit of ready-to-wear ones. I love the fabric and you do look like a movie star in these!
I have the same issue with needing a different size top versus bottom. Maybe I should give making a set of bathers a shot at some point.
Is there anything that you can’t make?? I love it! I’ve made several things for my daughter now that I have a new sewing machine (Mary Queen of Scots dress & cloak costume for halloween and a poodle skirt for the school sock hop). I’m still terrible at it and reading pattern directions definitely makes me curse (zippers are my nemesis), but I recently bought a book on Tudor tailoring/fashion that includes patterns and exactly how to measure, cut and everything. I’m going to try to make a few of the more simple dresses in the new year (I am an obsessed Tudor period historian).
And best of all, they didn’t have zippers back then!
It is amazing at how some patterns never go out of style or become useless. Your bathers look so good on you.
Agree with other comments, especially about some patterns never dating. I am in London at the moment and the NZ fabric store has a great (better) range of Liberty fabrics in other than Tana lawn. I am hunting for a pattern now inspired by you! Great job and elegant, chic coverage!
LOVE!!!! This fabric is perfectly divine! You have got the body to wear bikinis fabulously and you look self-confident and beautiful in your new suit, so there’s no need to worry about any “age-appropriateness” or not here! I’ve never made my own swimsuit before, but am so in love with your new swimsuit, I just ordered the pattern through an Etsy shop. 🙂
I’m so glad you chose the bikini. I gave up bikinis for many years, somehow convinced that moms did not wear them. Something happened about age 42 and I managed to get out a few more years of the freedom feeling only a bikini gives me. I am happy I had those few years of appreciation for a good and well servicing body in between the feelings of not good enough as a younger woman and what happened with menopause. Enjoy!
thank you so much Barbara! your words mirror my own experiences exactly! I’ve had many years of feeling embarrassed and/or ashamed of parts of my body and now I just feel like what a waste of my time it was to worry so much. I think everyone today is a lot more enlightened, empathetic and accepting of the ageing body, which is a very good thing 🙂
Oh, I do love this bikini, too! You absolutely can wear it and you look so good! Those candy colours, and- who can resist Liberty?
Gorgeous bikini – and why wouldn’t you wear one? The fabric is lovely. I haven’t ever made swimwear – maybe this is the year to change that
Just gorgeous. You rock it lady.
This fabric is fabulous, such pretty colours! I prefer a bikini too despite my age. They are just so practical. I do like the band at the top of the pants. It gives a little more coverage than the standard bottoms. Do you add elastic to the waist as well?