July – Totally Twisted – You’d expect our summer challenge to include swimwear, but this challenge is Swimwear with a Twist. That means your swimwear has to have a touch of a fabric twist, gathers, or ruching. Let’s get creative and manipulate fabric into swimwear, bikinis or other beachwear.

I had been thinking of making a tankini for the May BMS Challenge – Spots and Stripes. That is until I looked ahead a couple of months and saw the July Challenge was swimwear. I don’t wear enough swimwear that I needed 3 new swimsuits – one I made in my class, one I planned to make in May, and another one now.

So I changed my May entry and saved my tankini until July. But what I planned to make in May no longer would fit with the challenge, as well, I wondered if I really wanted a second swimsuit now even.

These designs were all spots and stripes (the May challenge).For my July entry, it was back to the drawing board in terms of design, and pattern. I just didn’t feel like I wanted a second swimsuit right now, so I asked Em if she wanted one. YES! Yes.

So, Em’s getting a new swimsuit for my July Challenge entry.

I showed her the pattern I have and she loved the Marsha pattern from Pin-Up Girls’ Three Sisters Bikini pattern.But she also loved the Rebecca. She’s getting a mash-up of the two patterns.

Em’s Teeny Weeny Polka Dot Bikini

Here’s Em’s new bikini:

It’s pretty adorable. But it’s also too small. I’ve never made this pattern before, and I’d need to size up the bottoms for sure. Sadly, they won’t fit Em, and they won’t even fit on my display.

The front of the Rebecca pattern has ruching, which is great if you have a bit of a tummy.  The front of the Marsha pattern has some adorable features too. A fabric twist at the center front.I’m sad this is too small, but am glad I tried this challenge and learned a few new things.

Happy creating!