It's Swimsuit Time!
News You Can Use
My Pattern Designer
Subscriber Newsletter | Volume 13
Using The Swimwear Designer
Tool
by Kaaren Hoback
Its summer time and nothing says summer better than relaxing at the ocean/lake or poolside in a comfortable and well fitting swimsuit. Styled for you by you.
There is no need to spend hundreds of dollars and hours of
frustration finding The Suit- make your own and make several! They are not
difficult and can easily be made in an afternoon with time to spare. Full
construction details are included with every pattern just click “print”
after making your selections and click on the sewing instructions. Every
thing is there, including how to compute your stretch factor, seam finishes,
apply leg and armhole elastic, setting in bra cups and linings if desired.
The detailed instructions include photographs of all the important steps.
The choices are amazing and include every style line from bikinis to classic
one-piece suits. You may select from waisted empires or Grecian halters,
two-piece suits even swim dresses or tankini’s. This means any body type
from slight little pre-teens to the more mature full figure can get a suit
that fits and is attractive in just a few hours with less than 20 dollars in
fabric/lining/elastic and even molded cups. (I have suits I have made for
less than 6 dollars).
You may select from 17 different front neck styles, 9 different back neck
styles and adjust the neck width and depth, strap placement and width, leg
style and shape using very user- friendly tools. As you pass your cursor
over each ‘neck style’ a photo appears showing you exactly what to expect.
All swimsuits have built in ease stretch factors already applied. Fashion
swimwear uses 80% Horizontal stretch and 40% vertical stretch and will do
just fine for most swim fabrics. Surf wear is looser using 60% horizontal
stretch and 30% vertical stretch. During the extensive testing this
collection went thru most of our testers used just default stretch values.
The Swimsuit Designer found under designer tools allows you to select the
leg style and height you want as well as adjust the top on 2 piece and
waisted swimsuits. There are great little pictures under each style to show
you exactly what we mean for each leg line and back side coverage.
If you select a waisted swimsuit with a Grecian neckline, and you already
have MPD2Pro you also have the Grecian Neckline Designer which includes a
variety of choices using the Grecian Designer tool and you can even adjust
the cup size with a single click. Photos of the various necklines appear for
each Bodice type.
Do not forget to check the small blue Click here button for advanced details
on how to use these tools!
The other Designer tools such as Gathers and Shirrs or ruffles flounces and
peplums may also be used.
I am including a resource list for on line and brick n mortar fabric shops
for swim fabrics.
Resource List:
Check your local fabric shops or shop on line.
Some search terms you may be looking for are:
Swimsuit fabrics
Spandex
Raschel
Milliskin
If in doubt call the suppliers toll free number for assistance.
Spandexhouse.com (spandex regular 2 ways, jumbos, 4 ways metallics and
prints, stretch lining –
http://spandexhouse.com/products.asp?id=48&pname=Stretch Lining
JoAnn Fabrics - visit your local store, or see:
http://www.joann.com/joann/index.jsp?utm_campaign=PPC2009&WT.medium=cpc&WT.term=fabrics&utm_source=Google&WT.campaign=1224&utm_medium=PPC&rId=GOOGS&WT.content=501876017&WT.source=google&cm_mmc=google-_-1224-_-501876017-_-fabrics&cshift_ck=1329191992cs501876017&WT.srch=1
Hancock Fabrics - visit your local store or see:
http://www.hancockfabrics.com/
Fashion Fabrics Club :
http://www.fashionfabricsclub.com/catalog_items.aspx?TypID=203&Viewby=Types&Page=1&gclid=CLfWvIPokZsCFQgNDQoduQyOqg
(they also have molded cups)
D rings, O rings and bra type closures are available at most fabric chain
stores.
Denver Fabrics http://www.denverfabrics.com/
G Street http://www.gstreetfabrics.com/
Britex http://www.britexfabrics.com/
Mood http://www.moodfabrics.com/