Have a question or want to show off your project? Post it! No Registration Necessary. 
Now with pictures!
Threaded View
Subject
posted on June 6, 2007, 1:39 am
Reply
Save
Print
hello,
well i am back again with last minute preparations/alterations... this time
a maternity swim suit.
i am a bit worried about stretchy knit stuff and so i am looking for some
guidance.
DW does not fit in pre-baby swim suits, and she thought maybe i could alter
a 3rd trimester maternity swim suit she likes to get us through a long
weekend at the beach (why ? because she does not enjoy shopping for swim
suits and does not want to waste valueable beach time trying to find swim
suits)
so i have what looks like a camisole style swim suit top ( ? a maternity
Tankini ?) ,
(82% nylon, 18% spandex)
it is constructed like this, a fitted and lined tube top with thin straps
over the shoulders and attached to the bottom of the tube top part is alot
of material down to hips which is slightly flared at bottom and larger mid
way down the suit where that extra material is gathered a bit at side seams
(where pregnant belly would be) and a 4"cotton strip is sewn into the
gathered bit (just in the seam) ..... i guess to prevent any up and down
stretching
so, do i just rip the seams up to and over that gathered area, then pin fit
and re-sew ?
i am guessing a small 70/9 ball point needle and a walking presser foot ?
do i need any speacial thread (i.e. wooly nylon, stretchy, or just nylon
thread etc ?)
what are recommended stitch settings with a plain zig-zag machine ?
thanks for any help and advice you can give,
robb
well i am back again with last minute preparations/alterations... this time
a maternity swim suit.
i am a bit worried about stretchy knit stuff and so i am looking for some
guidance.
DW does not fit in pre-baby swim suits, and she thought maybe i could alter
a 3rd trimester maternity swim suit she likes to get us through a long
weekend at the beach (why ? because she does not enjoy shopping for swim
suits and does not want to waste valueable beach time trying to find swim
suits)
so i have what looks like a camisole style swim suit top ( ? a maternity
Tankini ?) ,
(82% nylon, 18% spandex)
it is constructed like this, a fitted and lined tube top with thin straps
over the shoulders and attached to the bottom of the tube top part is alot
of material down to hips which is slightly flared at bottom and larger mid
way down the suit where that extra material is gathered a bit at side seams
(where pregnant belly would be) and a 4"cotton strip is sewn into the
gathered bit (just in the seam) ..... i guess to prevent any up and down
stretching
so, do i just rip the seams up to and over that gathered area, then pin fit
and re-sew ?
i am guessing a small 70/9 ball point needle and a walking presser foot ?
do i need any speacial thread (i.e. wooly nylon, stretchy, or just nylon
thread etc ?)
what are recommended stitch settings with a plain zig-zag machine ?
thanks for any help and advice you can give,
robb
Re: advice altering maternity swim suit top
I'm maybe being a bit dense ,it is first thing in the morning here, but
in what way are you altering the swim suit, taking in to let out later
in the pregnancy or letting out? I'm having trouble visualising what you
want to change, you have described the swimsuit itself fine.
Sorry if I missed where you said that.
Defiantly a ball point needle, and a small zigzag I would say.
Claire in Montréal France
http://claireowenperso.free.fr
Re: advice altering maternity swim suit top
alter
swim
-- trimmed --
hello, thank you for helping,
ah yes, i see your point (my missing point). i was trying for brief ...
maybe too brief.
I want to take in (reduce) the maternity part. The baby has arrived. DW's
figure has not returned to her pre-baby swim suit size . DW wants the
maternity suit reduced to a more flattering fit.
thanks again for any helpful suggestions,
robb
Re: advice altering maternity swim suit top
robb wrote:
Yes! The hem will need straightening.
Good ideas. Also, use a narrow, small zigzag stitch and a ball point or
jersey needle.
Not for an ordinary machine. Polt thread is best.
Small stitch (1.5mm - 2 mm, or 10 stitches to the inch) and a narrow ZZ.
Once you have stitched the seam, you can go over the edges with a wider
ZZ. Don't forget you are using a narrow seam allowance here, too! :)
Yes! The hem will need straightening.
Good ideas. Also, use a narrow, small zigzag stitch and a ball point or
jersey needle.
Not for an ordinary machine. Polt thread is best.
Small stitch (1.5mm - 2 mm, or 10 stitches to the inch) and a narrow ZZ.
Once you have stitched the seam, you can go over the edges with a wider
ZZ. Don't forget you are using a narrow seam allowance here, too! :)
--
Kate XXXXXX R.C.T.Q Madame Chef des Trolls
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
Kate XXXXXX R.C.T.Q Madame Chef des Trolls
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
We've slightly trimmed the long signature. Click to see the full one.
Re: advice altering maternity swim suit top
thanks Kate for all helpful suggestions,
i had not anticipated the hem, i suppose they would be starring/swaying at
me soon enough.
also i was not sure if i needed to do something to the material before
ripping seams to prevent any fraying or re-fitting problems it seems from
your advice that will not be an issue ?
this is a funny situation like a previous one, i was just thinking of making
DW a suit for a later summer trip (just for the fun of making it) but this
early trip came up so not enough time for me to make one.
for now altering the maternity suit seems to be next best option.
thanks again,
robb
---- trimmed---
fit
?
i had not anticipated the hem, i suppose they would be starring/swaying at
me soon enough.
also i was not sure if i needed to do something to the material before
ripping seams to prevent any fraying or re-fitting problems it seems from
your advice that will not be an issue ?
this is a funny situation like a previous one, i was just thinking of making
DW a suit for a later summer trip (just for the fun of making it) but this
early trip came up so not enough time for me to make one.
for now altering the maternity suit seems to be next best option.
thanks again,
robb
---- trimmed---
fit
?
Re: advice altering maternity swim suit top
robb wrote:
Remember that to cover the bump, the front has been made longer than the
back, so you want to even things up when you alter it. :)
Shouldn't be... Swimsuit fabric doesn't really fray, being a knit.
Here's a great place for tips on sewing swimwear, from an Auzzie
designer. He's just building his site, so keep going back:
http://home.iprimus.com.au/seanderson/index.htm
Quicker and pleasanter than struggling to buy one with baby in tow! AND
remember that she WILL change shape quite a lot over the next few
months, so the budget option is probably a good one for now! :D
Before you REALLY get into swimsuit making, you might like to invest in
an overlocker/serger. You'll see why when you explore Stuart's site!
Remember that to cover the bump, the front has been made longer than the
back, so you want to even things up when you alter it. :)
Shouldn't be... Swimsuit fabric doesn't really fray, being a knit.
Here's a great place for tips on sewing swimwear, from an Auzzie
designer. He's just building his site, so keep going back:
http://home.iprimus.com.au/seanderson/index.htm
Quicker and pleasanter than struggling to buy one with baby in tow! AND
remember that she WILL change shape quite a lot over the next few
months, so the budget option is probably a good one for now! :D
Before you REALLY get into swimsuit making, you might like to invest in
an overlocker/serger. You'll see why when you explore Stuart's site!
--
Kate XXXXXX R.C.T.Q Madame Chef des Trolls
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
Kate XXXXXX R.C.T.Q Madame Chef des Trolls
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
We've slightly trimmed the long signature. Click to see the full one.
Re: advice altering maternity swim suit top
well , swim suits are not as easy as i thought... that is smaller seams and
fewer seams does not seem to equal easier.... then i looked at your swim
suit web link and i now understand why.
i think i will finish a few shirts/shorts patterns before i take on swim
suits :}
at
wow! all 5 inches of extra length after ripping all the side seams and the
gathering bit.
i was happy to have accidentally cut the seam in just such a way so that
pulling on two bits of wooly nylon thread un-zipped the seam all the way to
the top of course after spending 10 minutes trying to rip and pull about two
inches of ?4 thread safety/overedge? stitches
well, now, i would/could take care of the baby, DW just happens to be one of
those rare exceptions to "all women love to shop" generalizations (she does
not like to shop) but oddly enough i do like to shop and DW usually finds
more things when i am scanning the aisles for stuff that i think *she would
like* or i think flatters her.
DW is in the midst of those changes, she was a little worried about not
returning to pre-baby shape as quickly as she wants but i try to remind her
"you had a baby", it was 9 months of change and maybe her expectations were
to high
but like most DWs i suspect she needed to hear it from girlfriends and
sisters and such
thanks for help ,
robb
Re: advice altering maternity swim suit top
robb wrote:
The explanations are quite technical and detailed, but well written and
very easy to understand. He's good! And some of the stuff he's
designed is lovely (well, if you are 19, slender, and never had a kid,
or look like Darcy Bussel!)
Good move! I thought the same myself! :D More difficult than wedding
dresses in some respects!
Well, remember just how big that bump was!
Pulling out the needle threads is the easiest way!
I HATE shopping for anything other than sewing stuff with a passion! I
need to be bribed to do clothes shopping for my son with a nice Costa
coffee stop and a trip to the sewing emporium! I don't do groceries at
all. We'd starve if Alan didn't do them! :D
Tell her a secret from me: after you are 16, you NEVER return to pre
baby shape! You just don't have that much snap-back! Even Darcy has
said the same, and look at HER figure! Even if the measurements are the
same, the body id a different shape.
Probably! Big Sis Kate is here with the truth! ;) But the new figure
can be just as sexy and interesting... She'll get there!
The explanations are quite technical and detailed, but well written and
very easy to understand. He's good! And some of the stuff he's
designed is lovely (well, if you are 19, slender, and never had a kid,
or look like Darcy Bussel!)
Good move! I thought the same myself! :D More difficult than wedding
dresses in some respects!
Well, remember just how big that bump was!
Pulling out the needle threads is the easiest way!
I HATE shopping for anything other than sewing stuff with a passion! I
need to be bribed to do clothes shopping for my son with a nice Costa
coffee stop and a trip to the sewing emporium! I don't do groceries at
all. We'd starve if Alan didn't do them! :D
Tell her a secret from me: after you are 16, you NEVER return to pre
baby shape! You just don't have that much snap-back! Even Darcy has
said the same, and look at HER figure! Even if the measurements are the
same, the body id a different shape.
Probably! Big Sis Kate is here with the truth! ;) But the new figure
can be just as sexy and interesting... She'll get there!
--
Kate XXXXXX R.C.T.Q Madame Chef des Trolls
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
Kate XXXXXX R.C.T.Q Madame Chef des Trolls
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
We've slightly trimmed the long signature. Click to see the full one.
Re: advice altering maternity swim suit top
Thanks for posting this. I enjoy making swimwear for my family
and it added to my knowledge base. I have a long body and find it
difficult to buy well fitting swimsuits.
The swimwear I make for my family is more functional for
swimming/racing than his examples. I am not trying to create high
fashion swimwear. He included a racer back suit on his page, but, as
he said, it has a variety of drawbacks. Racers and lap swimmers
generally practice in suits that have a hole below the racer back.
This makes them easier to put on, since there isn't a narrow waist to
squeeze through. It also avoids the tendency toward the mid-back air
pocket while swiming.
I have not been able to find any patterns for this style of suit
and have had to create my own patterns. This has worked, but I would
love the ease of starting with a pattern to modify. Do you know of
any patterns or information available for creating racing suits?
Thanks,
Betsy
Re: advice altering maternity swim suit top
It looks like Jalie patterns has a racer-style swimsuit pattern.
I found this pattern while cruising around the Rainshed site that
someone posted a few days ago.
www.therainshed.com Click on books and patterns, then on jalie patterns.
The jalie.com site does not seem to have this particular pattern on it.
hth
liz young in sunny california
betsy wrote:
I found this pattern while cruising around the Rainshed site that
someone posted a few days ago.
www.therainshed.com Click on books and patterns, then on jalie patterns.
The jalie.com site does not seem to have this particular pattern on it.
hth
liz young in sunny california
betsy wrote:
Re: advice altering maternity swim suit top
and made a suit of cotton knit, to wear while sitting by the pool, which is
the closest I get toward the water.
But just before getting online, I was reading the latest issue of THREADS,
and there is an article called "Inside Swimsuits." written by Laura Keith,
www.LauraKeithDesigns.com . Apparently, she has a line of swimsuit
patterns.
If you don't have the magazine, you probably can read it online at
www.threadsmagazine.com.
Emily
[update problem] advice altering maternity swim suit top
hello,
ran into slight problem while altering
(my alteration will be shorten hem by 5 inches to just above hips , and take
in about 6 inches from side seams)
the front panel of suit is wider than rear panel by about 1.25 inch (on
each side) (so total 2.5 inch), the extra width tapers from 0.25 inch at top
seam to the 1.25 inch when you approach the hem.
question : do i need to keep front and rear panel tapering difference
after trimming excess fabric ?
do i need to keep front panel slightly wider than rear panel and is there a
proper amount besides 2.5 inches
i can not figure why the difference, i would have expected alot more
difference in front/rear panel widths if it was primarily to make up for the
maternity bump. 2.5 inch does not seem like enough for that purpose ? or
maybe it is ?
thanks for any help,
robb
time
alter
alot
mid
seams
fit
ran into slight problem while altering
(my alteration will be shorten hem by 5 inches to just above hips , and take
in about 6 inches from side seams)
the front panel of suit is wider than rear panel by about 1.25 inch (on
each side) (so total 2.5 inch), the extra width tapers from 0.25 inch at top
seam to the 1.25 inch when you approach the hem.
question : do i need to keep front and rear panel tapering difference
after trimming excess fabric ?
do i need to keep front panel slightly wider than rear panel and is there a
proper amount besides 2.5 inches
i can not figure why the difference, i would have expected alot more
difference in front/rear panel widths if it was primarily to make up for the
maternity bump. 2.5 inch does not seem like enough for that purpose ? or
maybe it is ?
thanks for any help,
robb
time
alter
alot
mid
seams
fit
Re: [update problem] advice altering maternity swim suit top
robb wrote:
Not neccessarily... Just pin it so that the side seam is virtical, and
take out as much as you need to from back and front.
No, the nmount larger will depend on your wife's size at the front.
Swimsuit fabric ordinarily stretches a great deal more ROUND the body
than length ways. See Stuart's site for the reasons... :)
Not neccessarily... Just pin it so that the side seam is virtical, and
take out as much as you need to from back and front.
No, the nmount larger will depend on your wife's size at the front.
Swimsuit fabric ordinarily stretches a great deal more ROUND the body
than length ways. See Stuart's site for the reasons... :)
--
Kate XXXXXX R.C.T.Q Madame Chef des Trolls
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
Kate XXXXXX R.C.T.Q Madame Chef des Trolls
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
We've slightly trimmed the long signature. Click to see the full one.
Re: [Upd-DONE] advice altering maternity swim suit top
top
thanks Ms. Kate and to all others that helped
Alteration was done and we have returned from beach with no complaints about
suit from DW
i altered as you suggested Ms. Kate with vertical seam fit and then finished
with some amount of "negative ease" as described by the swimsuit link ;) i
used a small zig-zag for seam then larger zz to finish over the edges
re-using the wooly nylon i collected from the original seams (did not have
any)
the top part was too loose for DW taste so i cheated with some darts over
shoulder blades because there was a lining and tapered pieces and double
stitched clean finish binding etc ...
worked great, survived the beach,
thanks,
robb
Re: [Upd-DONE] advice altering maternity swim suit top
robb wrote:
Great stuff! Do let us know about the one you make from scratch when
you get started on it! :)
Great stuff! Do let us know about the one you make from scratch when
you get started on it! :)
--
Kate XXXXXX R.C.T.Q Madame Chef des Trolls
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
Kate XXXXXX R.C.T.Q Madame Chef des Trolls
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
We've slightly trimmed the long signature. Click to see the full one.
Site Timeline
- » Another OT
- — Next thread in » Sewing Discussions
-
- » 9 T's resized
- — Previous thread in » Sewing Discussions
-
- » manual or how to thread riccar sewing machine model rw-7
- — Newest thread in » Sewing Discussions
-
- » manual or how to thread riccar sewing machine model rw-7
- — The site's Newest Thread. Posted in » Sewing Discussions
-
XML Sitemap