Bikini skirtini

I have always wanted to be small-busted, but that dream was gone in my teen years.  Now, after two children, not only am I endowed, but the girls seem to have headed south.

Swimwear is a nightmare for me.  I have never been able to find RTW that fits properly, that doesn't cost a fortune.  I need bust support, I am long-waisted, and have had the blessing of cellulite since I was 16 (yay genetics).

I live on an island, and spend my summers with the kids at the lake, and also spend my time canoeing and kayaking.

I have decided to come up with mix and match pieces that will suit a variety of water activities.

This is one iteration of my summer swim wardrobe:

The top is bra pattern  Kwik Sew 3620. This pattern is quite ideal for swimwear since the cups in the pattern are lined, and it uses underwires for support. I sewed a 34D and the fit is fine. I am pleased with it as a first attempt, but want to make note of changes I made and wish to make in future.

• use wider elastic for straps - all I had on hand was 3/8 so I need to order 5/8 swim elastic
• use wider elastic for back band - I need to cut the band wider to accommodate 5/8 elastic here
• underline the back band pieces, either with self-fabric of powernet - I definitely need a more supportive back band
• add 1/4 inch elastic along the front inside cup seams to add support there - sew on the elastic after stitching the seam and then flip (this is the first seam you sew when you follow the pattern instructions
• add 1 inch to the back band pieces to allow them to fold over to hold the G hook closure
• use a 1 " or larger G hook - I scavenged one from an old swimsuit but if I had a larger hook I could make the back band wider at the center back
• I zigzagged elastic to wrong side, then flipped and coverstitched it to finish the edges - I find this is faster than using the elasticator on my serger

The skirtini is Jalie  3023. I goofed a bit when I used the mesh print on the band since the elastic would have shown through.  I eliminated the elastic because of this but haven't yet swam in this and worry that it may slip down when wet.  I have a feeling I may be adding the elastic and not worry about show through, in order to avoid "putting on a show" of sorts.

• These bottoms fit very snugly and the sizing seems to run smaller than some of the other Jalie's I have sewn.
• zigzag and coverstich elastic
• swimwear lining in front of the undershorts under the skirt

I have also sewn a sports top to wear with this suit, and a matching mesh coverup top.  I will post when I get pics taken.