Thanks for this swimsuit masterclass ! 4 quick questions: 1- could you have used power mesh instead of the woven bra lining (and what are the advantages of using the woven bra lining over regular lining ?) 2- could we use a coverstitch to add more professional finishing or would it be too bulky ? 3- what are the settings you used on your Babylock serger when sewing the seams ? Perhaps you can answer when doing your upcoming video review ! 4- could we use power mesh for panel control on the bottom and if so, should we cut it 1 size smaller than the main fabric ? Thanks in advance Whitney !
1. Yes. The pattern offers the option for using a few different types of fabrics for the lining. The non stretch bra lining just adds the most support. You could use the power mesh, though. 2. You could definitely use the coverstitch machine to make this up! 3. The seams that I serged on this I used my Bernina 850, but I all my settings were at 4 for the needles and loopers. Even when using my Babylock I rarely ever change the settings. 4. You could use power mesh to line the front of the bottoms. I would cut them the same size, though. It will inherently "hold you in" just because of the nature/stretch of the power mesh.
For the bottoms, be sure to stretch the elastic the most in the bum area so it cups beneath the rear end. The remaining area should be 1 to 1. It's just like a pair of underwear should be sewn.
Really great video! What I hate re RTW swimsuits is the heavy padding and foam inserts in the bust area. I have been looking for a sewing pattern for a two piece swimsuit with two or three 3 inch wide ruffles in the front. This had come out in RTW several years ago. It is very flattering - hiding the tummy area.
I just got to the section of the video on the bottoms - does this pattern really have such a narrow crotch gusset? It doesn’t look like it would cover anything 😳
I was making this on a very small size for my daughter (and it does cover). Mine covers just fine. I'll do a review of the pattern next week and you can see the swimsuit on my actual body, but it does cover. It just looked really small on this pair.
Alyssa, I noticed that too. You could just always draft a wider crotch area. I recently made two practice suits, one had a very nice crotch width and the other very narrow. I am going to redo it and make it with the wider crotch.
I’m just trying this suit now. So far, so good. Your tutorial is wonderful! I have a question. On the pattern there is what seems to be a cross grain line marked DoGS. I can’t figure out what that stands for. ??? Thanks
DoGS stands for "direction of greatest stretch." Basically, you want to make sure the direction that stretches the most is going around the body. This is usually the crossgrain, but not always.
This sew-along was great! I made the tankini with you by my side, and it came out so good! I have one trick that helped me with the boning. I used 1/4" double-sided wash away tape to hold the boning down before I sewed it. Worked like a charm! I have a question about the sizing on the briefs, which I haven't made yet. Like you, I'm very straight from the hips to the waist. In Cashmerette Patterns, my waist is 2 sizes larger than my hips. How did you deal with that for the briefs? I can figure out how to blend at the side seams, but the length difference is significant between the sizes. Any advice is greatly appreciated. ❤❤❤
I"m so glad to read this and great tip on the boning! For the bottoms I just made the straight size for my hips. Because it's stretchy fabric, I just adjusted the elastic to be comfortable and it worked really well for me.
It's in there. The boning gets added to the lining pieces when you attach the cup pieces to the tie piece. It's gets sew into the inner tie to lining cups seam.
I was mesmerized throughout this sew along, Whitney. I think you’ve convinced me to try both of these versions. Every time I try on a retail tankini, it’s way too difficult to pull it on over my head and bust. Made to measure will be the way to go! These are really cute suits. A question: Did you use a 70/11 Sharp needle? Thanks lots for taking the time to film this for us. 😘
Oh good! I had a lot of fun making both of my versions and it's fantastic to wear as well. I'll have a video up next week of my review of the pattern and you can see it on my actual body. As far as the needle, I used a size 12 stretch needle.
Whitney and Jennie…what an absolutely phenomenal tutorial! Your teamwork is really paying off…great job!
Thank you so much! We are having a blast!
Lovely tutorial Whitney, thank you. Very comprehensive and clear.
You are so welcome!
such a great sew-a-long! Thank you. So many great tips. I know I'll be watching this again.
Oh good!
Thanks for this swimsuit masterclass ! 4 quick questions:
1- could you have used power mesh instead of the woven bra lining (and what are the advantages of using the woven bra lining over regular lining ?)
2- could we use a coverstitch to add more professional finishing or would it be too bulky ?
3- what are the settings you used on your Babylock serger when sewing the seams ? Perhaps you can answer when doing your upcoming video review !
4- could we use power mesh for panel control on the bottom and if so, should we cut it 1 size smaller than the main fabric ?
Thanks in advance Whitney !
1. Yes. The pattern offers the option for using a few different types of fabrics for the lining. The non stretch bra lining just adds the most support. You could use the power mesh, though.
2. You could definitely use the coverstitch machine to make this up!
3. The seams that I serged on this I used my Bernina 850, but I all my settings were at 4 for the needles and loopers. Even when using my Babylock I rarely ever change the settings.
4. You could use power mesh to line the front of the bottoms. I would cut them the same size, though. It will inherently "hold you in" just because of the nature/stretch of the power mesh.
@@TomKatStitchery Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions !
Oh both of these are so cute 😍 I love how you talked us through the process. I made a tank kiny 2 years ago and wish I had this sew along then!
I'm so glad you enjoyed this one!
For the bottoms, be sure to stretch the elastic the most in the bum area so it cups beneath the rear end. The remaining area should be 1 to 1. It's just like a pair of underwear should be sewn.
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So So Cute!!! Super Excited to watch Swim SewAlong!!! Thank you!!!!!
Oh good!!
Really great video! What I hate re RTW swimsuits is the heavy padding and foam inserts in the bust area. I have been looking for a sewing pattern for a two piece swimsuit with two or three 3 inch wide ruffles in the front. This had come out in RTW several years ago. It is very flattering - hiding the tummy area.
This one would be perfect as there is no padding or foam involved!
I am so excited for a sew along!! And for swimwear as I am a little scared of trying to make a swim suit.
Oh good!
I just got to the section of the video on the bottoms - does this pattern really have such a narrow crotch gusset? It doesn’t look like it would cover anything 😳
I was making this on a very small size for my daughter (and it does cover). Mine covers just fine. I'll do a review of the pattern next week and you can see the swimsuit on my actual body, but it does cover. It just looked really small on this pair.
Alyssa, I noticed that too. You could just always draft a wider crotch area. I recently made two practice suits, one had a very nice crotch width and the other very narrow. I am going to redo it and make it with the wider crotch.
Thanks so much for your reply! It hadn’t occurred to me that you were making two different sizes!🤦🏻♀️
I make the acacia undies from Megan Nielsen...(free)
I drafted a wider gusset for me but my daughter likes it the way it is
I’m just trying this suit now. So far, so good. Your tutorial is wonderful! I have a question. On the pattern there is what seems to be a cross grain line marked DoGS. I can’t figure out what that stands for. ???
Thanks
DoGS stands for "direction of greatest stretch." Basically, you want to make sure the direction that stretches the most is going around the body. This is usually the crossgrain, but not always.
This sew-along was great! I made the tankini with you by my side, and it came out so good! I have one trick that helped me with the boning. I used 1/4" double-sided wash away tape to hold the boning down before I sewed it. Worked like a charm!
I have a question about the sizing on the briefs, which I haven't made yet. Like you, I'm very straight from the hips to the waist. In Cashmerette Patterns, my waist is 2 sizes larger than my hips. How did you deal with that for the briefs? I can figure out how to blend at the side seams, but the length difference is significant between the sizes. Any advice is greatly appreciated. ❤❤❤
I"m so glad to read this and great tip on the boning! For the bottoms I just made the straight size for my hips. Because it's stretchy fabric, I just adjusted the elastic to be comfortable and it worked really well for me.
Thank you! I'm on it this morning. @@TomKatStitchery
Thank you for the review and the sew along. I don’t see mention of the boning in the instructions. Am I overlooking it?
It's in there. The boning gets added to the lining pieces when you attach the cup pieces to the tie piece. It's gets sew into the inner tie to lining cups seam.
@@TomKatStitchery Thank you for the clarification. I searched for boning and didn’t find it in the pattern. I’ll have to look again.
Your romper us super cute
Thank you!
Thank you, i don't quite remember how to get the pattern without getting the whole club pkg? I know you have explained it several times...
You can sign up for just the month, get the pattern and then cancel. The very base membership makes the pattern just $9USD.
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I was mesmerized throughout this sew along, Whitney. I think you’ve convinced me to try both of these versions. Every time I try on a retail tankini, it’s way too difficult to pull it on over my head and bust. Made to measure will be the way to go! These are really cute suits. A question: Did you use a 70/11 Sharp needle? Thanks lots for taking the time to film this for us. 😘
Oh good! I had a lot of fun making both of my versions and it's fantastic to wear as well. I'll have a video up next week of my review of the pattern and you can see it on my actual body. As far as the needle, I used a size 12 stretch needle.
@@TomKatStitchery Thanks!