Another Swimsuit.........Kwiksew 3503 Again!!!

                                                                  (Me and my Little One)
Well this is my second version of Kwiksew 3503 and I must admit that I love making this swimsuit. And I like the idea of making my own swimsuit in general. I think it's mainly because I just love, love, love sewing knits.  Secondly, I've had this swimsuit fabric in my stash for several years and dreamed of the day that I could find the right pattern for it. I absolutely love this swimsuit!!!! I have a yard of this fabric left over in case I want to make it into a cute tankini top with black boy shorts later on.

                                                                                                  
You may recall my first version from THIS POST.     Well I feel I got a better hang at sewing this swimsuit and the fit was superb the second time around. I made this swimsuit version the same as the first but with the following changes.

1. I used a swimsuit fabric that was somewhat thinner. This "comic strip" fabric wasn't as heavy as my last fabric but was slightly more difficult to handle since it was stretchier and thinner. I just had to pull it taut and make sure to use a new "sharps" needle.
2. I also added 1" length back into the bodice length. I removed 2" the first time I made it which made it a little snug, but when I added it back the fit on this swimsuit was just right.
3. I lined it in black.
4. I used firmer bra cups. They were perfect and didn't shift around at all and I never needed to adjust the bodice.

5. I added the lining to the leg bands 1:1, but stretched slightly when I serged it to the bum. This way my legbands weren't too tight and fit very comfortably.

On a Side Note: One thing I noticed this time around that I didn't catch the first time was that I sewed the bodice pieces opposite of what was suggested in the pattern. If you have this pattern, just look at the pics I took of my last swimsuit bodice and your guide sheet. You'll see, let's just say, that the inner part of the right bodice should really be located on the left side of the left bust.  I like the way I sewed it differently than the pattern instructions because it meant that I had more bust side coverage:)



My camera batteries died so my Hubby was only able to get one good beach shot. Here's some more from my backyard.....

(a front view and close up!!!)

(An even closer view!)

I think that's it for swimsuit sewing for now. I have 2 I made and one I bought, so I think I have enough for the summer. But I do plan on collecting some more swimsuit fabric. The really cute fabrics are hard to come by. Now on to finishing up my Simplicity 3503 maxi dress.......