I altered my tried-and-true KS pattern (I did buy the newer version for the smaller sizes) to make it 1-shouldered. I sewed them up here on my serger and used another sewingmama's coverstitch machine for all of the elastic topstitching. E's suit I used my triple-stitch zigzag. These were fun to do, and I learned a new technique of binding with elastic inserted in the seam. When you fold it over, it keeps a nice, even binding- which was my biggest worry in binding knitwear, especially swimsuit material. I also lowered the rise on the bum of the suit...way too much fabric back there. This was also my first time doing a tankini- I was nervous about hemming without the elastic, but it wasn't a problem at all. I didn't have enough fabric to do a 1pc...barely eeked out this suit! The fabric I bought in DC a couple years ago shopping with my older sis. We'll love having a 2pc in rotation for longer beach days!
Dd's suit by me:
The suits I made for the swap- the younger one is a size 4/5 with ruffle, the older is a size 7/8 sans ruffle and with a bit of fun colorblocking and an extra strap for fun.
4/5suit:
7/8 suit (looks wrinky on my size 5 body double):
These were the suits we got back- we were so pleased with this swap! We both love the little skirt with the bottoms attached- so cute! I'll sew the straps to the back later...we both left those to adjust when we received the suits.
Ugh. The fish lips start already! :P
I'll attach the straps in the back to the suit- not halter-style as you see in the pic:
The blue suit (I pinned that strap too far over here...I'll adjust it when I sew it on):
This was a great way to use up some of the fabric that I've already used for dd in other suits, as well as to have another style or suits without buying a new pattern. We're set for summer- probably next summer too!
