How to make a pin-up style bathing suit?

I want to make a pin-up style bathing suit like this one on EBay:http://cgi.ebay.com/vtg-50s-pinup-floral-swimsuit-bathing-play-suit-S-XS_W0QQitemZ330307840696QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item330307840696&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A0|293%3A1|294%3A50

I need some sort of online pattern or tutorial on how to make a pattern for one. I also need some information on what sort of fabric to use, the one on EBay is made of cotton but I don’t believe I would actually be able to use that to swim in and I’m not sure a spandex would have the same look. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Unfortunately I don’t think you are going to find too much online that is free. As far as a pattern is concerned, what I would do is buy a swinsuit pattern and midify it. I have had great success in modifying pattern KWIK SEW 2690 B http://www.sewthankful.com/kwiksew2690.html (vintage swimsuit patterns are very hard to come accross). To give the swim dress a more fitted and vintage look I would reccommed altering the swim dress to fit tighter and add a split down the front.

As for fabric, the cotton is going to give you a really authentic look and its going to retain the stiffness that you need in the front of the skirt. What I woould reccomend it cotton sateen which is still heavy like cotton but has a stretch in it. You should be able to find some nice florals in that fabric too. If you like the idea of a modern feel to your swimsuit without using spandex, I would reccomend that you use a stretch satin with a lycra in it because there are some great vintage swim suits with satiny finishes. You would not be able to go with your original design though because the flaps in the front will not sit correctly without a structured material.

With home made swimsuits, especially when youre not using a reccommended fabric, you need to make sure that you wash the chlorine or salt out of them as quickly as possible, try to use a swimwear elastic rather than a rubber one becuase they preish so easily (a lot of vintage swimsuits didn’t survive because the elastic in them was rubber) and don’t forget to sew with wooly nylon thread and to sew with a stretch needle and a slight zig zag stitch on your machine.

PHEW! It’s really hard work making your own swimwear but it sooooo pays off. Good luck!

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