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Wednesday, July 25, 2012

The Ginger Swimsuit Sew Along + GIVE AWAY! CLOSED!



Oh my goodness... I sewed like a mad woman over the last few days, testing my new pattern... and, I think it's ready to go! So, I am happy to announce that I will be also hosting a sew along for the 1 piece swim suit version of the Ginger Pattern.

Here's a sneak peek:


The instructions in the digital pattern do not go over things like adding elastic under the bust, or how to sew in the padded cups, so I will be going over all of these things here.  I'll also be showing how to sew on the elastic and how to make adjustable straps.


You are going to need a few things that might be hard to source if you are from a small town like me.  First, you will need swimsuit fabric.  While Spandex is the best, it is expensive and not always easy to find.  I am using a combination of black Spandex with a polyester knit that I will line.  If you cannot find Spandex, 100% polyester knits are good because they dry quickly.

 This swimsuit will be lined, so you also need swimsuit lining.  Swimsuit lining is often made of nylon or polyester, and is very stretchy.  It is important that all of the fabrics that you use are 4-way stretch fabrics, or you will need to make some major fit adjustments.

Spandex World has a great selection of Swimwear fabrics. Spandex House is also great.

The most important things about the fabric that you choose are: 1) they will be chlorine and water friendly.  Synthetics tend to dry quicker, and fabrics like polyester tend to have good chlorine resistance. 2) They are 4-way stretch knits.

You will need to buy enough fabric to do a mock up and your actual garment.  I recommend buying 1 yard of inexpensive stretchy knit fabric to test the pattern, and 1 yard of "good" fabric for your actual swimsuit. Don't forget to buy a coordinating swimsuit lining in either white, beige or black!  I can't stress enough how important the muslin is for 1 piece swimsuits.  In my experience, finding the right length for the swimsuit on your first go is very, very tricky!

You will also need 2 yards of chlorine-friendly 1/4" - 3/8" wide elastic to match your fabric, 1/2 yard of soft elastic for a band under the bust, and sew in swimsuit cups.  Optional are bra strap sliders and clear elastic.

Of course, you will also need a pattern.

To Kick off the Sew Along, I'll be giving away a free copy of the PDF pattern to TWO Lucky winners! Here's now to enter:


1. Comment here letting me know what kind of embellishments, fabrics, etc, you'll be using for your swimsuit.
BONUS ENTRIES!
2. "Like" Ohhh Lulu on Facebook.
3. Tweet about the Sew Along on Twitter


I'll be choosing two winners on August 1st, and will post my first sew along post on Friday August 3rd!



37 comments:

  1. OOh goodness, I have NO idea about embellishments or fabric. But then, that is always a good excuse to go looking for both ;)

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  2. Oh my - it's so adorable! I have a poly/spandex blend in my stash that is electric blue that would be perfect. Can't wait for the sew along!!!

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  3. Embellishments?! Whoo! I think piping would look nice down the sides and across the top? Maybe some buttons between the boobs?

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  4. How exciting, can't wait for the sew along!

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  5. I'd like to make a red vintage-y one! Maybe with pleating over the cups?

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  6. This bathing suit is exactly what I was looking for this year!

    I would love to make one with this zebra/flora fabric in white, black, teal and fuchsia (http://spandexworld.com/c3/catalog/product/7807)...

    I might try it with some powernet to help my belly stay put and make the cups as close to a well supporting bra as I could.

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  8. This is such a cute pattern! Thanks a million! I think I'd like to make this in hot pink!

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  9. Oh, and I like you on Facebook! :)

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  11. So exciting! I'm thinking of polkadot fabric!
    I've liked your Facebook and tweeted as well! ^^

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  12. Ooh! I'm thinking of having ruffles along the side panels around the bottom & also matching on the straps! I bought some ready made on elastic 'ribbon' just today too!

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  13. I've never thought much about swimsuit fabric, but I think an emerald green would be pretty. And it's my fav. color. And maybe something to keep the leftover baby pouch sucked in! :)

    Also already a facebook fan!

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  14. I like Ohhh Lulu! on Facebook :)

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  15. I'm pretty interested in this project. Do you have any decent sources for the polyester knit? I've been looking at the major sites, and the selection doesn't seem great. I'd love a cute floral polyester.

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    1. fabric.com usually has some good ones, but I find you really have to spend a lot of time looking :)

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  16. I'm going to use a black and cream polka dot swimsuit fabric from Girl Charlee. They have cherry prints as well, so maybe I'll end up making another. (I don't know if you caught it already, but the sizing chart shown in the second image on the pattern's Etsy page is all messed up. The "bust-waist-hip" and "small-medium-large" headers should be swapped around.)

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  17. I have a gorgeous cherry print that I've been waiting to turn into a swimsuit. I also have power mesh for my tummy and want to do ruffles on the bust and hips :)

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  18. Sometimes I love sewing swimsuits, sometimes I hate it, LOL. My Fabricland has finally put out their swimsuit fabric mill end bolts, $14/m, compared to the first run stuff that's $25-$28/week. I saw one fabric I liked, but most were blah. I've also bought from Spandex World, but I don't like not being able to feel the fabric. I once bought some fabric from Value Village that felt like swimsuit fabric, but it wore out quite quickly.
    As for trimmings and embellishments...I suck at that. I can't wait to see what others do. I'm off to like you on Facebook now!

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  19. I'll definitely be adding a satin bow! :)

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  20. This is such a cute pattern! I like to make it in an pink lycra with dots or a cotton stretchlycra in off white with an exeptional print of drawings with BEACH LIFE.Or just a plain color and adding some stretch lace or...... pfffff there are so many fabrics in my stash that would like nice with this pattern.

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  21. i love the look of this, i think polka dots all the way with a cute bow or two!

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  22. I have some poly knit fabric that has been dying to become a vintage styled suit. I'm thinking for embellishment I would use gold/brass toned rings for the straps (attaching) as my fabric is olive green with a dotty paisley styled print in colors of light olive, gold, rusty orange and chocolate. It's such a busy print that I wouldn't want to embellish too much. I'm also wondering about adding underwire support in the cups as I can use all the support I can get. My girls are a bit large and heavy. lol

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  23. I've liked you on facebook for a while now. Love your patterns!

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  24. I have just found your blog/products and I love them! I think I would girlie it up a little and maybe try a lace panel x (liked you on FB too!) x

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  25. I would love to try this out in a teal color, with piping to emphasise the seaming. I also love someone's previous idea to have pleating over the bust - very cool!

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  26. Hi Sarah, I never ever win these things, but I really really want to! I am very happy you are doing this Sew Along, cause I need to practice my knits, and you are very good at that..:)
    So I would probably go for a spandex mix, and follow your instructions precisely. I have a pretty vintage looking fabric I bought some time ago, and I am going for the separates.
    So yeah, good luck to me:)

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  27. My blog likes you on facebook :)

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  28. Sarah this is EXACTLY the pattern I hoped you would put out next. Thank you thank you! Now off to start looking for inspiration.

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  29. Nicely written--This post is equally informative as well as interesting.Thank you for information you been putting on making your site such an interesting If you have time please visit my Pipe relining.

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