Hi All!
Today I have a very pretty and classy suit! A nice change from all the sportier things I’ve been doing!
I definitely threw a million design elements in this one! It is a one-piece suit with a modesty panel ending right at the hips, ruched in the front with a simple triangle style top! Very classic, vintage and pretty.
But here is where it gets interesting! The back- oh the back! I had some fun with rings and cut-outs in the back and made this cool detail of cut-outs, and attaching the front straps. I also stitched down the non-ruched modesty panel in the back (because it just wouldn’t stop riding up!)
The front was inspired by this beautiful suit worn by Lana Del Rey in a photoshoot, and the back was inspired by this amazing suit Kiera Knightly wore in the movie Atonement. Â (If only I could be so glamorous!) These both being on my swimwear pin-board!
I finished all the back cut-out sections with self-binding and I finished the triangle cups with self-binding too! For the cups, I lined only the cup- section, leaving an open gap at the top so I could insert molded triangle cups for extra oomph! but I wanted to make them removable for the wash, or in case I didn’t feel like wearing them one time.
I also reinforced the underbust seam (where the cups attach to the body) with a strip of elastic enclosed in binding, so that the gap between the cups was stronger and wouldn’t stretch out, and it had a little more support!
I feel like it’s stiff competition between this suit and my black and floral bombshell suit from Week 18Â as my most glamorous swimwear! I can’t wait to get a huge floppy hat, big sunglasses and lounge in all my glamorous glory this summer- imagining that I’m Lana Del Rey or Kiera Knightly *sigh*
A girl can dream 😉
But now all of your lovely submissions!
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First we have a pretty purple bra from Monserratt Lopez of MexicanPink!
She made her bra using the Classic Pattern from Pin-Up Girls, and the help of the Craftsy bra-making classes! I love when people have success from the Craftsy classes 🙂
She used a lilac coloured kit from Bra-maker’s Supply with the beautiful addition of some purple lace 🙂 Gorgeous! Don’t forget to check out Monserratt’s post over on her blog!
Sofia made this bralette with some Pinterest inspiration! Seeing other bralettes with cut-out triangles on the bridge. I am such a sucker for cut-outs, so I’m all about this trend- absolutely love it!
Sofia made this using a lovely combination of red satin, pink power net and black elastics. Don’t forget to check out Sofia’s post over on her blog!
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Next we have a bright foam cup bra from Anne!
Anne made this bra as a clone of a favourite RTW bra, and she used this bright and beautiful green spandex! She loves that you can make a bright bra using fabrics that you wouldn’t use for clothing- and I agree! Beautiful work!
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Last but not least we have this very sexy bra from Kristy!
Kristy made this bra using the Pin-Up Girls Classic bra pattern, and supplies from Bra-maker’s Supply. I love this red-and-black combination- always sexy!
She used the lace to cover the front frame, the upper cup, and to cover the strap and used black elastics to coordinate! Love it!
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As always- very beautiful work from everyone! You guys are crazy inspiration for me!
Don’t forget to check out the Pinterest board, and the Flickr Group if you enjoy those platforms! To grab a challenge button and to send your bra for next week to bra.a.week@gmail.com by Friday for the next Sunday post!!
You can also check out Week 1, Week 2 , Week 3 , Week 4 , Week 5 , Week 6 , Week 7,  Week 8 , Week 9 , Week 10, Week 11 , Week 12 , Week 13 , Week 14, Week 15 , Week 16, Week 17 , Week 18,  Week 19 , Week 20 and Week 21 of this challenge for more amazing bras!
Sofia talked about your source of inspiration on her bra-post this week- and mentioned that the feels very inspired by Pinterest, and asked where you get your inspiration.
I have to agree with Sofia- Pinterest is definitely my favourite source of inspiration (like it was for my swimsuit this week!) and all of the bras that you submit to me every week! But  I would say that second to that it’s the fabric- I see a beautiful print or a colour and a drape and and idea comes straight into my head!
I want to continue Sofia’s discussion- what about you? where do you find your bra/swimwear inspiration?
Hope you’re all having an amazing Sunday!!
xo erin
I LOVE the design of your swimsuit! It looks fabulous. And the print you used is so pretty. Beautiful!
Thanks Rebecca! I've had this fabric in my stash for years! I bought it on a whim before I was even into making swimwear!
That is a gorgeous swimsuit!! I am so coveting that fabric.
Thanks Beverly! It all came together just how I wanted 🙂
Wow! Your swimsuit is absolutely stunning! You are amazingly talented.
Aww – you make me blush 🙂
I thought the swimsuit was beautiful when I saw it from the front…and I then I saw the back view and went :OOOOOOO It's amazing, I love it so much! Major kudos to you. I can't wait until it's summer again here (currently seeing tops of about 12 degrees celcius during the day…) and I can try my hand at bathers 🙂
I'm much the same, I love seeing all the gorgeous confections on Pinterest and taking ideas from them, but I too like seeing fabric and being inspired by it's potential. I love stalking Merckwaerdigh's shop and looking at all her kits and imagining what a finished bra could look like; even just seeing coloured elastic gets me thinking – what material would I pair with it? Would I match or contrast? What could I do to show it off more? – the possibilities are endless!!
Can't wait to see next week's challenge (to which I have a contribution, too!) 🙂
Thanks Maddy! You should definitely try swimwear when the weather warms up! I'm a seasonal sewer like that too- just can't get too excited about swimwear in the winter. I haven't looked at the Merckwaerdigh kits before! I should go do that! 🙂 Can't wait to see what you made this week 🙂
You have really outdone yourself this week! That suit is downright gorgeous and very much like your inspirations suits. Awesome work!!!
Thanks Katherine! I'm so happy with how this one turned out- every week I worry that it won't work! 🙂
agree with everyone, the swimsuit is so very beautiful. I love all the design details. You are super talented and fast sewing!!!
You also look as gorgeous as Kiera Knightly wearing it. 😉
oh my! you guys are too nice 🙂 Thank you 🙂 Speed is one thing this challenge helped me work on!!
Stunning! I love the back detail.
Thanks Ilna 🙂 The back is definitely the showstopper 🙂
Beautiful work.
Thanks 🙂 🙂
Wow, this is such a beautiful, classy suit, (and stiff competition for your black/floral bombshell number!) You are one talented lady & very inspiring! *Sigh*, for me, sewing will have to wait for the time being as we decided to move the end of this month:( I've pinned a few of your photos to my swimsuit inspiration board and am anxious to get back at it as soon as possible!
I'm very impressed, but not surprised at how well this suit turned out! You make such lovely things!:)
Thanks Rikki! 🙂 Moving is always so time consuming- it's definitely my least favourite thing! But it's always nice to get set up in a new little sewing corner! Hopefully by the time you get back at it, there might be some new swimwear patterns on the market… just saying 😉
Oh, Erin, the back of your swimsuit is perfection in itself!! The front of your bombsell suit and the back of this one would make the perfect swimsuit for me!
I also remember watching Atonement and drooling over its amazing costume design… Do you recall Keira's green dress? It's definitely THE DRESS!
So, back onto this week submissions: Monserratt and Kristy have done a great job with the Pin-Up Girls Classic bra, the colour combination of both bras is gorgeous! Anne's bright green bra is lovely too, and she is completely right about the different fabric choices for bra making and dressmaking!
How could I not remember THE DRESS- oh my – that is my ultimate dress- and it's emerald green too *swoon*!! Thanks Sofia! 🙂
Erin, that's a drop-dead gorgeous swim suit! Really, you'll be the envy of every woman at the beach! Monserratt's bra is lovely – I love the added lace where the straps attach. What a pretty detail. I love the lace on the front frame of Kristy's bra too. They're all so lovely and creative!
Michelle
Thanks Michelle! Everyone is making such amazing things 🙂 🙂
Lovely blog, you're so creative!
Thanks!! 🙂
I am trying to take in a bathing suit. Do I need a special type of thread?
Generally you just need to use a polyester thread – 100%poly, since cotton will be much more susceptible to the chlorine, or the salt water and you’ll find that it only lasts for one season (depending on how much you swim!). But personally I like to be one step higher than that and use an industrial grade poly thread- my favourite is the Mara 120 Gutermann thread, and I do sell it in my etsy shop too 🙂
Erin this suit is amazing. Do you have a pattern for it? BTW personally i say you are just as glamorous as Kiera Knightly
Thank you so much!! I don’t have this as a pattern, but I would love to do it in the future 🙂