>This week has been so hot here in Southern California. It seems the summer is making up for the awkward rainy spell we had last week. Of course, I have images of a million different dresses from all different decades dancing around in my head and telling me to make them, but I called a time out these last few days while I sewed up something that’s been in my to-sew pile over a few summers now. I bought the fabric a while ago while visiting my best friend in Chicago over a Fourth of July when her Hancock’s fabric store was closing down. At first I saw it and thought it was wretched, but then in an “ah ha!” moment I realized it would be PERFECT for something late 50s or early 60s, and preferably a sarong. When this pattern, McCall’s 5455 from 1960, found it’s way into my stash a few years ago I knew it was a match made in sewing heaven. Or, so it would seem…
When I saw this in my head I thought I would magically be transformed into she-who’s-waist-size-equals-her-head-measurement like in the illustration. Nope! Despite the oh-so-Barbie-looking model, my swimsuit didn’t come with a spell that would make my bust-waist-hip ratio equal to those if the gal on the left. I do *like* the suit, but it does look rather frump-tastic on me (the one above was the only pic my hubby snapped that didn’t make me look like a pin-headed rectangle). I don’t have a very curvy figure (which may be the understatement of the year), so even though my heart thrills at 1950s and early 60s clothing, my figure does not. I had to do quite a bit of tweaking to this suit to make it fit. Let me just say, if your cup size is on the small side save yourself a headache and do a muslin to make sure it fits. I know, I know, this should be common sense, but my laziness meant I did lots of little “hmm, I can tuck it here and nip it there and it’s not *that* noticeable”. Bwahaha. But I like it and even if I don’t wear it to the pool or beach I’ll sure as heck wear it around the house when the weather here reaches the temperatures we get in late summer.
>I just returned from an uncommonly hot San Diego, wish I had that gorgeous little suit to wear when I was there!Marie @ Lemondrop ViNtAge
>I think it looks great!!
>I think it looks great!!
>I think you look great in this!
>ooo! i've always wanted to see that pattern made up in real life. the fabric works terrifically!
>It's a gorgeous swimsuit!I am a serial lets tuck here and here no one will notice seamstress… the thing is is that when I do it everyone notices. I can't tell with this swimsuit!
>Well, I think it looks great. And I love that the fabric you used is so close to the fabric on the pattern! Hehe.-Andi x
>I rather like it–you look quite glamorous in the picture!! 🙂 The fabric is spot on too–what an amazing find! I have to admit, I'm one of those lazy sorts too who does "stealth tucks/tweaks" when I'm not feeling like making a muslin. lol. ♥ Caseyblog | elegantmusings.com
>Cute, cute, cute!!!
>Couldn't disagree more with the frumptastic, I think it looks fabulous on you. So glamorous and such a dead-ringer for the pattern envelope!
>Maybe it's the expert photography, but I see curves. That looks so good on you and I love how it almost matches the one on the envelope. Will you be making the jacket too?
>So cute!!
>I think its gorgeous! Nice job. The pattern is wonderful!
>This is really adorable! Is it just made up in cotton? A friend of mine is a teacher at a Christian school, and she was wondering if I could sketch a line of modest swimsuits, and the first thing I thought of was vintage! However, I have been a little puzzled about the fabrics used… I love your blog, btw, it is SO incredibly helpful and interesting!
>Completely fabulous!!! I believe it is more wonderful made up than in the illustration…great job!