Jocole Swimsuit Sew Along Day 3

Jocole Swimsuit Sew Along

Day 3 - Tank side seams and hem

Are you ready for a quick sewing day today?  This is the perfect day to get caught up if you've fallen behind.  Let's sew the side seams and hem.

We are starting with the front and back bodice connected by the shoulder straps.

Line up the fabric pattern at the side seams.  Pin the front and back bodice together and sew the side seams.

You are almost finished with the Shoreline Tank!

Finish the hem.

Congratulations!  You now have a super cute swimsuit top!

Swimsuit Sew Along Day 2

Swimsuit Sew Along

Day 2

The pink swimsuit is the girls version and the polka dot is the ladies version.  If you are making the ladies version, skip ahead to the polka dots.

You should have a stack similar to this.  Tank front and back, ruffles, neck binding, arm binding and elastic.

Let's start with the ruffles.  Mark the elastic and ruffle strips into thirds.  Line up pins and attach the elastic to the wrong sides of the ruffles.  Using a zig zag stitch, stretching elastic from both sides so elastic lays flat against the ruffle.  Attach elastic to the ruffle.

Draw a straight line across the front bodice.  Attach the ruffle piece along the line with a zig zag stitch.

Repeat with the second ruffle strip.  Attach elastic and then attach ruffle above the first ruffle.

Attach the binding to the front bodice piece.  Line up binding piece right sides together to the bodice.

Fold binding piece up and iron flat.  Fold the top edge in toward the center of the binding.

Fold binding piece in once again to enclose the entire top edge of the tank.

Repeat with the second binding strip.

Let's work on the arm hole binding strips.  The process for the arm holes is the same as the bodice front binding.  Line up one edge of the binding with the raw edge of one armhole.  Keep the binding straight and attach the opposite end of the binding to the raw edge of the bodice back, right sides together.  Attach with a zig zag stitch.

Repeat the same steps as above for finishing the binding.

Here is what the binding looks like at this point.  The bodice front and back are attached with the binding strip.  The binding will be the shoulder straps.

Repeat the binding process on the opposite armholes.

Ladies version.  You will have a pile similar to this with all pattern pieces.  Bodice front/back, shelf bra pieces, briefs front/back, elastic.

Begin with the shelf bra.  If you would like to add molded cups, click here for instructions.  Attach front and back pieces.

Sew elastic together in a circle.

Mark elastic evenly with 4 pins.  Do the same with the shelf bra.

Line up pins to attach elastic.  Gently pull on both sides of the elastic to stretch it to fit the bra.

Turn the elastic toward the wrong side of the bra.  Stretch the elastic and zig zag stitch in place.

Pin shelf bra to the tank at the neck, wrong sides together.

Using FOE (fold over elastic), bind bodice front and repeat with bodice back.  If you are using regular bias, follow directions for binding above.

Using a 4 in. strip of elastic, gather the center front to create a little shape in the swimsuit top.  Gather by attaching the elastic at the top of the bodice and 6in. down.  Stretch the elastic to create a gather.

Repeat binding on armholes.  If you need more explanation, scroll up to the top.

Tomorrow we will finish the side seams and work on the brief bottoms.

Swimsuit Sew Along

Jocole Shoreline Tank and Basic Brief

Swimsuit Sew Along

Materials Needed:

• Lycra Spandex
• Elastic - FOE, clear elastic, or knit elastic
• Thread
• Shoreline Tank and Basic Brief patterns

Schedule:

• Monday - Print and tape all pattern pieces.   Cut fabric.
• Tuesday - Shoreline Tank - ruffles, straps
• Wednesday -  Shoreline Tank - side seams and hem 
• Thursday - Brief Bottoms

Here is a sneak peek of the swimsuit top that we are making.  

Print the pattern pieces.  You will have a tank bodice, Brief Bottoms (2 pieces) and crotch seam piece.  If you are making the Ladies version of the Brief Bottoms, it is recommended to make a full lining instead of only the crotch piece.

Print, cut out and tape all pattern pieces.

You should have a pile similar to the pieces below.  Tank front and back, briefs front and back, crotch piece, ruffles(optional) and elastic.

I highly suggest FOE.  There will be instructions for using clear elastic but FOE is much easier to work with and is my new favorite.

Come back tomorrow to start the Shoreline Tank!

Don't forget to use the coupon code to get 25% off your purchase until May 13.

Triple Ruffle T-Shirt Dress + Damask Stencil

Have you seen the Triple Ruffle T-Shirt Dress? You can make it using our Classic Knit Tee ... or even a store bought shirt.

The best part? We've decided to offer the Damask Stencil here on our blog for FREE ... ENJOY! Click HERE.

Not sure how to use a stencil ... here is our tutorial using Freezer Paper.

Have you seen?

Have you seen the Basic Knit Leggings? they are perfect for layering ... especially since we are coming into fall and winter. They have 2 length options capri (shown above) or full (which reach the ankle). Above they are paired with the Shoreline Knit Tank ... the pattern includes how to make ruffles along the neckline, but instead I opted to make it plain and add a dyed flower on the side (template included).

And stayed tuned ... that shrug pattern is in the works. It's going to have FOUR different sleeve options ... another versatile pattern. Is there anything better than versatile clothing that can be worn over and over and over?

Pattern Testers Wanted!! - Basic Brief Bottoms - CLOSED!!

THIS TESTING IS NOW CLOSED!! THANKS EVERYBODY I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOUR PICTURES!!

I'm currently looking for people who are interesting in testing my "Basic Brief Bottoms" (#23005) sewing pattern before making it available for purchase. IMPORTANT: I *need* the reviews back by June 15th!!

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Description: These Basic Brief Bottoms have a modest full back coverage and will not ride up making sure your little one won't be constantly tugging and pulling to keep them in place. The most comfortable bottoms your little girl will ever wear. Perfect for underwear or even swimwear too (pair with the Shoreline Knit Tank for a cute tankini). Features a partial crotch gusset or full front liner. 3 different methods for attaching elastic (regular, picot edge and fold-over).

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You will receive 3 pages of patterns and 15 pages of instructions, including 20 steps and 30 pictures to guide you along as you make it.

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I need testers for the following sizes:
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8, 10, 12, 14
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Already claimed:doll, 2/3, 4/5, 6/7

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PLEASE read the PATTERN TESTING GUIDELINES!!!

Project Runway - Challenge #2

My Friend Becky, from Corduroy's Closet, has decided to do the challenges from Project Runway and I've decided to play along. Here is what I've made for week #2.

It was the Marie Claire challenge: A single look that tells the audience who the "Marie Claire" woman is. She's intelligent, she's practical, she's confident.

The pieces I decided on were simple, but highly wearable and versatile. A black shrug with gray binding around the neckline. Gray leggings with a black waistband. The show-stopping piece: A simple white tank with a dyed-flower.