Replies

1. 
   Elisabeth | Aug 26, 2004 04:32pm | #1

   How a v neck flatters will depend on your proportions. Narrow shoulders, for example, can look more narrow in a v neck. The style of your favorite knit top will probably tell you exactly what is best for you. Also a deep v in a tank style will give you some long shoulder straps that may like to slide off so a crossover system or t back would help there.

   The patterns in the "big 4" pattern books that you find at JoAnn etc. don't have the best bathing suit patterns. There are some other companies that know much better what they are doing with lycra. Stretch and Sew comes to mind, maybe someone else here on the forum is more up to date on swimsuit patterns? Something like this one https://www.gmidesign.com/stretch/1356.htm might be a good compromise with support and still a little "exposure".

   There was a discussion earlier here about bathing suits that you can probably find on the search feature. I think we talked about lining and bra support items there.

   Good luck with your bathing suit! They really are not hard to make, it's just frustrating sometimes to get to the pattern and fabric that fits you right. The best part is that it takes so little fabric to experiment!

1. 
   nmog | Aug 26, 2004 09:25pm | #2

   Thank you for the quick response! I like your idea about a crossover back - I think I'll try something like that once I decide what the frontof the pattern will be!

   I was able to get some very cheap and ugly swimsuit fabric at an inventory sale. I'm going to try out the desisnd with that, so I don't ruin the stuff I like.

   Nicole

1. 
   bevaau | Aug 27, 2004 01:05am | #3

   Have you looked at Kwik-Sew? I haven't actually made one of their swimsuits but their other patterns are great - go together well, fit and the instructions are easy to follow.

1. 
   nmog | Aug 28, 2004 06:04am | #5

   I've made a few Kwik Sew patterns before, and I like their fit. I've got the pattern for the tankini halter top, and that's what I'm trying to make. I'm hoping that one of the patterns companies will come out with a tank suit that has a V neck, but since it's now the fall season, I think I'll be waiting until the spring fashions arrive.

   Thanks for your idea!

   Nicole

2. 
   SkiNsew | Aug 27, 2004 01:52am | #4

   Take a look at these swimsuit patterns.

   https://www.gmidesign.com/stretch/home.html

   Mary

1. 
   nmog | Aug 28, 2004 06:07am | #6

   I like the easy tank suit. I wonder if I cou;d make that with a v neck. It might just work. Thanks for the idea!

   Nicole

3. 
   kayl | Sep 01, 2004 04:39am | #7

   You might also try playing around with the virtual model and the swimsuits on Landsend.com -- yes, they're readymade, but may give you

   some ideas of how they'd look on your body -- which may simplify the

   pattern choice greatly.

   Kay

1. 
   nmog | Sep 01, 2004 11:13pm | #8

   I had no idea that was available! That sounds like a great idea. Do they also replace your body with the one you choose? Thank you.

   Nicole

1. 
   kayl | Sep 01, 2004 11:25pm | #9

   Alas, the body on the screen is the only one that gets replaced...

   and if you enter real measurements, it gets uncannily like the measured

   bod (gulp!). ;-) Still, it's a good tool for "try ons". They also

   have a "swimming suit finder" (http://www.landsend.com/cgi-bin/pg.cgi?page=swim/SWIMSEARCH0103 -- will work, I think).

   What I find most interesting as I play with their designs is how cleverly they've used colors and "small features" like a collar on suit that's more likely to be worn on the beach than for swimming...

   quite an education.

   Kay

   Edited 9/1/2004 4:27 pm ET by kay