Collaboration #3 with Stephanie

My Third Collaboration is with Stepahine she like sewing and had recently started remodelling an empty room to create a sewing room we collaborated on making her a swimwear. My task: Draft the swimwear pattern, use the pattern to cut the fabric accurately and share some secrets on how to construct the swimwear with ease.
and other sewing tips for a great for sewing a good fitting swimwear.

Click on the link to view the completed swimwear. http://stephabrennan.wix.com/thesewingroom

  

Taking Measurements, drafting and cutting paper patterns

Cutting Fabric( we forgot the pins so we used phones as weight to ensure fabric does not slip)

Demonstrating the proper stretch tension for the elastic. 

Excitement for the mock fitting 

This was another awesome collaboration.

Thanks Stephanie I will do this again anytime 

Collaboration #2 Fashion and Art ABCStorytelling

 My second Collaboration was with Anietha Charles (ABCStorytelling ) she is  an excellent illustrator she also loves graphic and fashion designing. Our collaboration was quite easy we both wanted to do a trendy child garment with painting. My job was to sew the dress, hers was to add the magic touch of the painting on the dress. 

These are some pic of the child dress before and during the painting process.

Click the link to view the the finishing touches on the dress by  Anietha Charles ABCStorytelling 

https://abcstorytelling.wordpress.com/2014/11/27/collaboration-project-flower-paint-process/

 

Collaboration #1 with Phelie and Kieron

 My first Collaboration was with Phelie Sookhan a DIY Blogger she wanted to try her hand sewing a dress. It was an awesome Day, I did not have time to tutor her on drafting the dress but I did explain the procedure as we I went along.
After cutting the pattern, and the fabric we pinned the pieces together fer her to take home to sew.  

Click the links to view the video and blog post by Phelie.

Ihttp://opheliasookhan.wix.com/diybyophelia#!DIY-Dress/c1kw6/7F909322-0BD5-40E7-9F54-86533E6D386A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=eGw2caqYQz0

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Fake it to Flatter it: Tip #3 Swimwear

  Casual stretch tops as Tankini tops 

We all have preferences when it comes to swimwear, whether they are bikinis (two-Piece), one-piece, tankinis or monokinis. Even though many of us likes the bikini we often opt form wearing it because of our tummy, one solution is to wear a tankini however at times there can be challenges when it comes to choosing a style or finding your correct size.  

Tip:  you can purchase casual stretch tops with straps and use them as tankini top, this will ensure you have your personal style, and the correct size and fit.

 

I do hope you have enjoyed style to suit your shape swimwear, explore your options with swimwear, knowing  your body shape makes it lots easier to find clothing that fits you well.  

Swim With Me: Your Shape part #2

Swimwear for  full  Tummy

Looking for a swimwear that will make your tummy look flat can be daunting. Here are some the things you can look for:

A swimwear with built-in tummy control panel which give a flatter appearance to the tummy. Fabric with texture fools the eye, drawing attention to the fabric as opposed to the tummy.     Bikinis with high waistband with added shirring or folds, this will give more coverage to you tummy.  

Swimwear for Straight Figure

If you like shirring, ruffle, bold prints as well as ring, this is your chance to wear it well, this will give attention to the hip also definition to the waist adding

 Images courtesy: www.gorgeautiful.com

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Swim With Me: Your Shape.

Swimwear Style for Large Bust

Your swimwear should fit you as a good bra. Support is the most important thing for you. When choosing a swimwear those with the same characteristics as a bra is important, the aim is to keep the bust is lifted, choosing a swimwear with sturdy linings, under-wire, boning, seamed cups and adjustable straps works bests. You can truly work the bikini, the bikini top is built with lots of that need support, ensure that the top has ample coverage at the armhole and shoulders. Styles that will work well for you are the halters.

Swimwear for Full Hips and Thighs

Colors and attention-grabbing details in the right places or anything that draws the eye away from the hip and thigh and more towards the upper part of your body will be ideal. Swimwear with skirted bottom, deep neckline, and hardware such as rings and chains can be a plus.       

Keep reading for more interesting post and tips on swimwear for your body shape.
 Images courtesy: www.gorgeautiful.com 

Swim With Me: Swimwear Types

 Hello once again! In this post I will be sharing with you Swimwear “Bathing suit”. For your body shape. As you have read in the previous post swimwear has come a long way, its sexier than ever, less fabric and designs that are out of this world.

 Swimwear comes in different types and its always nice to know them by name. 
 Images Courtesy : fatalwomen.com and gopic.com

The One Piece Swimsuit (Maillot), is made from a single piece of fabric. This type of swimwear provide coverage for the top, bottom and the torso area with  legs, tops, back and strap style that vary.

Monokini, is a swimwear with a strip of fabric that connects the top of the swimwear to the bottom, covering the belly area only. There is no specific width or style for the strip, it depends on the swimwear design

Slingshot, this swimsuit style is outrageous and can be considered daring 

Skirted

Two Piece Swimsuit (bikini), the top and the bottom of the swimwear is separated. This type of swimwear can be mixed and matched with other pieces of garments

Tankini, a variation of the bikini, the top of the tankini is similar to a tank top and provides good coverage for torso area.  

Boy Shorts Bikini   

 I hope a level of excitement is upon you. after what you have read so far.

 Having some level of knowledge about the different styles of swimwear will make it easier as we go, especially when it comes to choosing those that fit your body shape.

Swim With Me: The History

 Hello once again! In this post I will be sharing with you a sewing passion of mine, Swimwear “Bathing suit”. I love to design and make swimwear. I made swimwear for customers, friend and family especially for my two sisters. I had the opportunity to get back into sewing swimwear for 2014 carnival for a couple of ladies who wanted Monokinis for carnival Monday. Of course that trigger my love once more.

Sizing for swimwear can be tricky, so I resort to custom making swimwear for women of different sizes. At the end they are satisfied and I feel fulfilled doing one of my favourite thing

I will share with you the history of swimwear and then I will go into the different style for your body type I hope this excites you as much as it excites me.

Swimwear “Bathsuit” The History.

I hope it not surprising to you that the fashion history of swimwear was principally from dresses and the outfits worn in the 18^th  Century which was very modest, their body was almost totally covered because it was considered improper to skin.

http://www.victoriana.com/library/Beach/FashionableBathingSuits.htm

   18th Century:

"This 1797 Gallery of Fashion print shows two ladies protected by face-shading bonnets, shawls and glove ^"

Regency Era:

Fashionable Sea-Side Walking Dress La Belle Assemblee Fashions, Sept 1810

"A gown of white French cambric, or pale pink muslin, with long sleeves, and antique cuffs of thin white muslin worn over trowsers of white French cambric, which are trimmed the same as the bottom of the dress. A figured short scarf of pale buff, with deep pale-green border, and rich silk tassels; with gloves of pale buff kid; and sandals of pale yellow, or white Morocco, complete this truly simple but becoming dress."

Mid-19th Century:

“In the mid-19th century bathing dresses covered most of the female figure. These garments were highlighted in Godey’s Lady’s Book in 1864. the long bloomers exhibit the influence of Amelia Bloomer’s innovative ideas for women’s clothing. The ”turkish” pants and “paletot” dresses are made from a heavy flannel fabric which would surely weigh down the swimmer”.

1890s`:

1900: “Swimsuit retains modesty but was free enough to allow the young lady to engage in swimming was obvious. 1910: “By 1910 bathing suits no longer camouflaged the contours of the female body. The yards of fabric used in Victorian bathing skirts and bloomers were reduced to show a little more of the figure and to allow for exposure to the sun.” 1915: “Up until the first decades of the 20th century, the only activity for women in the ocean involved jumping through the waves while holding on to a rope attached to an off-shore bouy. By 1915, women athletes started to share the actual sport of swimming with men and thus began to reduce the amount of heavy fabric used in their billowing swimsuits” 1920s: “By the early 1920s women’s bathing suits were reduced to a one piece garment with a long top that covered shorts. Though matching stockings were still worn, vintage swimwear began to shrink and more and more flesh was exposed from the bottom of the trunks to the tops of the stockings. By the mid-1920s Vogue magazine was telling its readers that “the newest thing for the sea is a jersey bathing suit as near a maillot as the unwritten law will permit http://www.victoriana.com/library/Beach/FashionableBathingSuits.htm  Hmmm! what a long way we have come. Some of the  swimwear of today is by no means modest. but i must say they did inspire a lot other garments we wear under our clothing today. STAY BLOGGED ON FOR MORE....

Working The Jeans: The Fit part 2

Fit challenge: Hourglass figure

 Jeans should hug your curves, not squish and contort them.

Solution: Something with straight lines gives balance to your curves.

What to look for:

• Choose a pair that’s fitted in the hips with straight legs this will add a slimming  and elongate long to your figure.
• Go for a high waist this will eliminate muffin top. 
• A pairs of jeans made with a little stretch will  help smooth your body lines and hug curves

Fit challenge: Long Waist

When your torso  is long means that your jeans don`t move with you when walking this may cause exposure to your butt.

Solution: Jeans that sit higher on the waist or even jeans with hidden elastic sewn inside will help prevent too much skin from showing.

What to look for:

• Jeans with higher waistline  will help you a good fit.
• Jeans that are non - will sit on you better than stretch  

Fit challenge: Large Hips 

Basically Jeans that fit your hips does not fit your waist causing the fabric to  bulk out,mostly at the back.

Solution: Look for jeans with straight legs and a lightweight fabric that will drape nicely. Many companies―like Lee, Lane Bryant and Gap―offer jeans in a variety of cuts that address specific body types.What to look for:

• Legs that hang straight from the hip tend to be more flattering than a boot cut.
• Plain finishes are best. leave the faded type alo effects that emphasize specific parts of the body.
• New trends that fit perfectly and comfortable are pullons

http://www.glamatronic.net/2011/04/cute-jeans-to-accentuate-your-body-type.html

Fit challenge: No butt 

Jeans look great on you from the front but there's a little bit of bagginess in the back or, even worse, jeans flatten your shape.Solution: Get a little extra oomph! This pair has built-in padding to give your rear a natural-looking roundness.
What to look for:

• Try padding, either built in or in a separate shaper.

• Skip flat pockets. Slit pockets show off the natural curve of the behind, and pockets with a flap add a little extra volume.

Foto de abertura Gloss & Rímel

Wow! Ladies as you can see even jeans can make or break you when it comes to fashion. They can be a fashion flatter or a fashion failure.  With these tips and your best friend, “the Mirror” you will not be a fashion fail.