Strawberry Love

I'm digging online fabric shopping.  It's the only place around here I can get quality bra-making and swimwear fabrics.  Tampa doesn't have a fabric store that sells printed nylon spandex for swimwear. The nearest store that sells swim fabrics is 36 miles from my house and it can take more than an hour to get there.  They have a pretty good selection of basics but only a few prints.  I love to go there for the adventure of it, I like to touch the fabrics, but it's disappointing to go home empty handed. Conversely, it's exciting to receive packages in the mail.

Nylon Spandex Swimwear Fabric

Nylon Spandex Swimwear Fabric

I made the cutest swimsuit for my daughter using the fabrics that I purchased online.  The modified Y-back was inspired by her favorite RTW bra.  I layered the print, powernet, and lining fabrics then sewed them together along the edges before I cut the keyhole.

Modified Y-back before Keyhole Cut

I need to remove 1/4" from the armhole because I decided to use binding for the edges instead of elastic.  Sew a zig-zag stitch next to the original line of stitching to be removed and save yourself from a headache later.

Zig-Zag before cutting off the seam allowance.

Remember to remove seam allowances from the edges that will be bound.

Remove Seam Allowance for Binding Applications

I call this bikini Strawberry Love.  The high-waisted bottoms with heart buttons and rear seam are made from the Pin-up Girls, 3 Sisters Bikini, Violet pattern in a printed denim nylon spandex. The bikini top is a PUG Classic in foam covered with the cutest heart and strawberry printed nylon spandex.  This is the first time I used foam and it got a little squished.  The bikini back was self-drafted and features a modified Y-back with a keyhole opening inspired by my daughter's favorite ready-to-wear bra.

Strawberry Love Bikini

Modified Y-back with Keyhole

Bra-A-Week Challenge #6: Wickable Work Bra

Mia's favorite, the Wickable Work Bra.  The bra fabric is made from 100% polyester that is treated with colloidal silver during the manufacturing process.  While the fabric wicks moisture away from the skin's surface, the silver particles repel bacteria, making the bra wearer cooler, drier, and less stinky, according to my interpretation of the product description at Bra-makers Supply where I purchased the material.  I haven't actually smelled Mia's bra to know how well the fabric performs.

Presenting entry #6 in the 2015 Bra-A-Week Challenge:   Wickable Work Bra 01

The work bra is a Pin-up Girls Classic with wickable antibacterial beige cups,

beige loop-a-licious neckline trim, peach Duoplex frame and straps,

peach powernet, and both peach and beige findings.

Wickable Antibacterial Work Bra

 Wickable Antibacterial Classic Cups with Loop-A-Licious Trim

JensWare Work Bra 01

Here's an up close look at that polyester fabric and neckline trim. 

Wickable Antibacterial Fabric and Loop-A-Licious Trim

Here's an interior view of the bra cups showing the wickable antibacterial fabric,

folded channeling, and a seam that needs to be trimmed back.

Wickable Antibacterial Fabric, Folded Channeling, Bra Interior

Bra-A-Week Challenge #3: Classic White

Entry #3 in the 2015 Bra-A-Week Challenge is a no frills plain and simple Pin-up Girls Classic white bra with white findings.

Classic White Bra

JensWare Classic White

 TIP:  Remember to Stay-Stitch and Clip the Curve

Stay-Stitching Clipped

TIP:  Leave an inch of wire channeling folded over for comfort.  

Wire Channeling Folded Over for Comfort

Bra-A-Week Challenge #2: Pink-N-Pearly Butterfly

Entry #2 in the 2015 Bra-A-Week Challenge is a Pin-up Girls Classic pattern in pink Duoplex with pink findings.  The bra features a pearly swirly lace butterfly on the bridge and cups, matching lace on the band, and an internal powerbar.

The loop-a-licious neckline trim goes nicely with the pearly swirly butterfly.

JensWare Pink-N-Pearly Butterfly Bra

 The internal powerbar gives the girls a little boost.

Internal Powerbar