Aug 27, 2012

Finishing the 40's Swimsuit or "The Things I Do For My Cousin"



Readers, what could I do?

I wanted to show you my finished Advance swimsuit but my poor cousin Cathy is due to give birth any day now and hardly up to posing for cheesecake.   Consider this crabcake.



I'd put this project aside for a few weeks.  The outside of the suit was essentially done but I had to deal with that inner layer -- you may remember tales of double-layered crotch gussets from a few weeks ago.

On the final version I attached the gusset with nary a hitch, using a lapped seam.  Have you ever seen a prettier crotch gusset, honestly?



The lining is made from fabric left over from Cathy's Ugliest Pattern Ever outfit from two years ago (how time flies!).  It's densely woven striped cotton with silver metallic threads.



The lining is just two pieces -- a front and a back, plus the aforementioned crotch gusset.  There are various darts and tucks here and there, and I added ruching along the sides of the bloomer-style bottoms -- much more flattering than droopy drawers.

Whee!



Each leg has a snug elastic casing too (as per the pattern).  I want Cathy to feel confident.



I ruched the sides by gathering with basting stitches and then stitching a piece of twill tape over the seam allowance to anchor the gathers in place.





The suit zips up the center back, and I used a plain black zipper, as opposed to an invisible zipper which wouldn't have been appropriate to the period (though my zipper is plastic, not metal).



So with both the beach jacket and the suit completed, all we need is a beautiful youngish model to wear it...next week on our trip to Provincetown, Massachusetts!  Where better to do a bathing suit photo shoot than the actual beach?  Readers, we may have to artificially induce labor.  Are first pregnancies always late? 

In the meantime, I'm trying to gather the necessary accessories, in case we are able to drag Cathy with us on our trip.  We might have to leave the kid at the hospital.

Have a great day, everybody!

27 comments:

  1. I can barely wait for the photoshoot...if Cathy turns up with nary a stretch mark post pregnancy i shall be spitting chips - it will be a case of, 'that bitch gets ALL the breaks' LOL

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  2. Well, I know you were being funny, but first time moms go to 41 weeks on average, a week later than the usually touted 40 weeks. My son was born at 43 weeks and my daughter at 42 +2. No artificial induction since babies were doing fine.

    On a note more in tune with the blog, I think the bathing suit is lovely and I can't wait to see Cathy model it for us.

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  3. Peter, how does your cousin Cathy feel about you trying on her bathing suit? You two must be very close!

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  4. ooohhh...love the suit! So fascinating it has the elastic legs underneath (very clever!) Cathy will love it!

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  5. I love the bathing suit! The runching is the perfect idea to keep from getting droopy drawers.

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  6. No, I have never seen a prettier crotch gusset.
    Good luck to cathy, I hope she has an easy delivery.
    Will we get to see cute baby pictures?

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  7. Now that sounds like a great vacation! I would venture that Cathy would also look smashing on the deck of a yacht anchored off Capri. But there is the problem of getting the baby a passport on such short notice.

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  8. Oh My, I hope she isn't faking this pregnancy just to get a guy. I know you've been looking forward to a baby "in the family"....right?

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  9. The suit is so flattering on you...it will be amazing on Cathy...what with all the baby belly she will have to hide. Stunning.

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  10. Lined with striped cotton with silver metallic threads--complete with ruching *and* security elastic--this sounds like a bathing costume to die for, really. And our model is wearing a bright blue cap at such a jaunty angle to set it off. I do enjoy reading your blog with my morning cup of coffee. It's a great way to start the day.

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  11. Photo composition. Michael's bare foot up in the air. Fun to look at the background, too.

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  12. What really makes me chuckle about these posts is that while you're posing in Cathy's bathing suit, Michael is lounging on the couch behind you, reading peacefully as if nothing out of the ordinary is happening.

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  13. Peter, "Crotch Gussets" should definitely have been in the headline for this post. This is fascinating! Is there a year on the pattern? Are the fabrics all wovens -- no lycra whatsoever? I can't even imagine a ZIPPER in a swimsuit. Very cool!

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  14. OMG! U look so great!
    You should leave it for yourself, or make one more copy)))

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  15. Oh my, I missed the Ugliest Pattern Ever photoshoot from a couple of years ago - so glad you posted a link to it... hilarious! I lol'd at work :)

    Swimsuit looks fab by the way. Can't wait to see Cathy model the whole outfit!

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  16. That swimsuit is to die for!

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  17. Is it just me, or do men look better than women in lady's clothes?

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  18. Is Cathy planning a water birth and have you been asked to be the godfather.................

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  19. Tidying up my stash (a tad) I came across a box of Kwik Sew patterns. There is 1 bathing suit that looks just like this (retro). I bought it thinking to lengthen as short (or longer) summer dress. Your suit is tremendous. On a light note, I tell my artist son about the sewing blogs, etc. Once I said, Peter made a dress for Cathy (and was about to explain more). He said -he made a dress for you (and was quite impressed). Cathie, in Quebec.

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  20. Looks great! That Cathy is a lucky lady! I wish someone would sew for ME!

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  21. Piece of art - yet: even like the current, aeh, 'contents' (a bit more 'balcony' ?! ;-) )

    Love,
    Gerlinde

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  22. technical question, Peter: won't the cotton-interior stay wet for too long? I mean, the upper dress/shell might dry nicely yet the lining - despite the definitely more comfy feel!?

    Love, Gerlinde

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  23. Love the suit. Your cousin will be pleased. On another note. Yes, the first baby usually take their time to come out. I know, I am a avid sewer and former OB nurse. Best of luck to all

    Josie



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