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!
Here’s my second pair.
I moved this seam only because I wanted it a little further forward. I could move it forward still, but really, I’m just playing with the seam at this point.
Happy creating!
This turned out to be very pretty. Of course, there are still a few changes I want to make, but this fits so well. All the adjustments I learned are making this my best fitting bra yet.
I also lowered my bridge, and raised the bottom of the bridge, and widened the bottom of the bridge too. And added the Gothic arch.
I’ve moved the strap placement over on this pattern. One of the things I love about the Ruby pattern is I don’t have to pull so very much all along the underarm with my elastic. Just a little pulling and it fits well.
Here’s the side view. Look how nicely the cup is fitting into the frame. Oh, I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. I’ll never get tired of seeing how nicely the cups fit in after taking that class with Jeanette.
The final adjustment I made was to move the straps in on the back.
Seeing as the bra has white in the lace, I thought white lace trim would be perfect for these panties.
These are my self-drafted Hipster panties, and you might notice the side seam is forward a little. That’s just so all my side seams aren’t hitting all at the same place.
And the back.
It’s been a long time since I was a bride, but I love my new blushing bridal set.
In fact, these were the left-over CLs I used for my May Challenge entry. I did have enough after cutting out my newest agnes.
I adore this! Polka dots are a favorite of mine.
I pulled out my Coverpro machine to finish the neckline, armholes, and hem.
It really does such a nice job finishing.
I’ve ordered a few prints from them and have loved them all. For this one, as an agnes, I was thinking something along these lines.
I’d have the frost detail meet and graduate up and down on this one. I think it will look great.
I love how this turned out.
The back is amazing as well.
Yes. I love this!
Here’s the view from the side.
And the back view. Again it’s pretty much the same as the front view.
All of these were finished with my Coverpro machine. 
I’m feeling very inspired with these new tops, and think I may look at what other fabrics and patterns I have to make for summer.
I think these are adorable! In fact, I like them so much, I went on to cut out five more variations! I’ll show you those after I show you the side and back view of this first pair.
And the back view.
I used up the last of the stripes, and that inspired me to make a pair in the last of the black with white polka dots. These are so cute.
I have two more pair of white with black polka dot panties all cut out, but somehow with a whole rack of thread, I didn’t have any white thread.
I’ve seen some amazing sets made, but I didn’t participate in the testing this time. Look at these makes! Pleather, lace, gemstones. Oh my!
Again, as with other House Morrighan patterns, there is a lovely range of sizes.
There was a Fitting binder, and a bra and finding kit in my bag (not shown). As well as the great canvas tote. For students who hadn’t taken the Drafting course, they got a few more goodies like sample packs of Duoplex and Power Net, as well as a set of Pin-Up Girls patterns. I had all those already.
On Day Two we were starting to learn what changes to make for different alterations – all using those little tiny bra pattern pieces. It was really great to have these, and to have them to keep as a reference.
You can see here in this example, it wasn’t a complicated adjustment – just lengthening the band. Having the samples makes it much neater to look and see any of the adjustments – much better than me freehand drawing these examples.
Overall, I have to say it was a great class, and gave us all some fabulous tools to take and use going forward.
I told Jeanette I was going to copy her idea. These are adorable, and I knew my own pair would go so well with the Ingrid bra I just made.
Here’s the scuba panel I added to the side seam.
The scuba is really nice to sew, and it adds such a lovely pop of color. I’m so glad I saw Jeanette’s little shorts and copied them.
Even the back has a little pop of color with the waistband.
Lastly, here I am putting my new capri-length pants to good use.
I love these, and am happily planning my next Challenge entry.
I really like the Ruby pattern. It gives a round cup shape, which for me, is perfect.
Isn’t that pretty?
Then because I like a strap tab and still need something on which I can connect the strap or ring, I cut out the upper cup again with the strap tab in sheer cup lining.
I’ve added a fabric strap to this one too. I do like a fabric strap, but am thinking I might still have fun playing with different straps for my Rubies. We’ll see what I come up with for straps going forward.
You can just barely see the pink elastics I’ve used on this bra. I decided the pink was prettier. I also liked carrying the color around to the back of the bra.
One last little detail.
I didn’t have a wider pink bow, but did have a narrow one. I decided to change the style of the bow by untying it, and ironing it flat. Then I folded it over, and attached the grey bow over it.
I love how the two colors of the bra are in the bow too.
The fabric on this is so pretty.
To make the pattern work for foam, all we had to do was cut off some of the seam allowances. I did that. I did that three times.
I’ve used the red and black floral scuba with all red findings, including red foam on the inside.
One small disappointment was my band turned out to be too big. It’s not fitting well on the display either.
Looking at it when I was sewing it, I thought it might be, so I just have the hook and eye tacked on here. I’ll take that off and trim off a bit from each side. After I measure and compare to a well-fitting band, of course.
Isn’t that a neat and pretty neckline finish? Below you can see it from the inside of the cup.
We also learned how to stabilize our strap elastics to give better support. 
We’ve sewn non-stretch seam tape to the inside of our straps at the front. It’s nice and soft, and helps keep those elastics from stretching.
Have you been wondering how that adjustment turned out?