sewkate

I am so excited about my latest suit for myself. It’s a classic combination of olive drab and red– an interpretation of the communist uniform. The punchline is the “Made in USA” tag that will be visible in the exterior side seam. I can’t wait to finish it.

This is a fitting suit (it’s not a bathing suit, it’s a fit tester.) The client tries this on to verify that the measurements are correct, and that the final suit will look great! To finish this suit, I need to add bra cups, straps, and a hem.

It has always annoyed me that I look better in a bra and underpants than in a swimsuit. Why can’t swimsuits, which are meant to be worn in public, fit and flatter as well as underwear, which is meant to be covered up with layers?

In 1999, I decided to make a swimsuit based on a sports bra tank top I liked. I traced the tank top and stitched the layers of swim fabric and lining together with a zigzag stitch and a ball point needle. There’s nothing wrong with this plan, but the resulting garment was a disaster. It was too tight, the stitches pulled and were visible from the outside, the garment had no body or structure. I threw it away.

That first attempt was a failure, but I never gave up on the idea.

A sewkate made-to-measure swimsuit costs $195. We will discuss your style and color preferences on the phone and at the first fitting. I’d love to see photos of your favorite swimsuit styles! When we have agreed on the details, I’ll take your measurements and check your bra cup size. Please leave me a deposit of $50 to start work. About two weeks after the initial fitting, when the trial suit is ready, we’ll meet again and check the fit. Straps and elastics may still be missing at this point, since I’ll want to confirm placement when you are wearing the suit. About a week later any adjustments will be complete. The balance of $145 is due when you pick up the swimsuit.

I am happy to make you any number of additional suits, in the same style and size as the first, at $145 each. If you prefer a different style from the first suit, the cost is $195. I will make a new trial suit and check it in person so we can get the fit just right.

Let’s get started! I am available at 484-678-9552 or kate dot young at gmail dot com to make an appointment with you. Feel free to ask me questions.

The first sewkate bikini.

NYC, March 2011.

I found this woven spandex plaid at Spandex World on 38th Street yesterday.  It took me a while to understand this. Woven spandex. Unlike a knit, this spandex fabric has body and a crisp hand, but maintains good 4-way stretch.  I think it will be perfect made up as this vintage 1970 swimsuit (McCall’s 2420, size 16/bust 38).  It might also be nice for men’s trunks?

• What kind of ready-to-wear suit do you typically buy?
  Does it fit well in general? Are there trouble spots you’d like to fix?
• What style of suit do you admire? What keeps you from wearing that style?
• Do you need a full support bra, or does a shelf bra do the job?
• What colors and patterns do you prefer?

I like to wear a one-piece with good bust support, stomach coverage, and waist definition. My long torso means that most one-piece suits are too short to give me any bust support. In addition, I am a different size on top and bottom, so suits that fit my hips are too big in the bust. I usually am pulling suits up on top and feeling overexposed, not to mention, dumpy. My first made to measure suit solved all these problems and now I feel confident and covered poolside. I’d love to sew a suit to your measurements and give you the same feeling.

NYC Garment District, February 2010. I’m due to make another trip. Solids, animal prints, polka dots, they’ve got it all.

Made to measure for myself from Kwik Sew 3064. 

Faux-tankini with racer back and contrast binding.

Made to measure for a 7 year-old. Pattern adapted from Kwik Sew 2606.