Pattern: Fit To Be Tied & Busy Bee Bottoms
Designer: Rad Patterns & Patterns for Pirates
Fabrics: Accent Fabric – Sew Unique Fabrics, Swim Lining and Power Netting – Textile Offcuts Lilydale
Measurements: Bust: 44″; Waist: 39″; Hips: 48″
Size made: Top – L; Bottoms – XXL
Adjustments: I took about 2 inches out from each shoulder strap
Pros: Making your own bathers is second only to making your own undies. Having bathers that feel good to wear and don’t send a blow to your self confidence is a HUGE pro
Cons: Working with swim fabric is tricky, but with lots of clips it is doable

Links:

The Wrap Up:

Fit To Be Tied Top:
Being larger busted, it can be hard to find bathers that fit well and have me feeling comfortable. I like to show a little cleavage, I think it helps draw attention away from my tummy and I actually don’t mind my boobs. But it can be hard to find the proper amount of coverage. This bather top is the perfect amount blending of all the thing I love and has 3 cup sizes.

I made the Large with the full bust cup and really like how it turned out. My first test pair that I made was a little long in the straps though, so I ended up taking about 2 inches on both shoulder straps and it helped a lot.

I used swim fabric from Sew Unique which has a gorgeous vibrancy and doesn’t go see through when it gets wet and lined it with a plain white swim lining.

One of my favourite things about this pattern is the little tie detail. I think it looks so cute and adds the right amount of detail to give this pattern a bit of pizazz. There is a bottoms and one piece option for this pattern as well which has tie pieces at the thighs, but I preferred a different bottoms pattern.

Busy Bee Bottoms:
I think swim bottoms are probably one of the hardest things to get right and feel comfortable and confident in. Especially if you are carrying a little extra weight like I am. I am super self conscious about how my tummy can look in bathers, and am particularly concerned people will think I’m pregnant and ask me when I’m due. (I’ve had it happen more than once urgh)

The first pair I made were an unlined high waisted pair with ruching at both the sides and front and back. While they were ok, and the ruching looked cute, I felt that the high waisted actually made my tummy look worse. Once they were pulled up over my tummy it made it look much more rounded and unflattering. I also thought that because I hadn’t lined them, there wasn’t as much support in there keeping everything ‘in’. I had a look at some of my RTW bathers and they seamed to all have the power netting in them as a lining so I thought I would line my final pair in the netting.

I also thought I would try sizing down one size as I was on the cusp of the XL and XXL, hoping it would help hold everything in a little better. So the final pair I made were Midi’s, ruched at the sides and fully lined with power netting.

In the end I think I probably should have left it at the XXL as once I lined it with the power netting they because a little tight which you can probably see in the photos. I have another pair planned and I will be keeping them as the XXL. The Midi and side ruching however were the perfect choice. I am actually planning another pair now with a colour blocked front panel and centre side ruching which I think will be ever more flattering. Once I’ve made them I will do a tutorial on how to achieve the look and I’ll be sure to link it here.

In a world of bathers that just keep creeping higher and higher up your bum with the cuts they do, it’s nice to finally have a pair with full bum coverage, a flattering front and cute bikini top. I can’t wait to wear these to my sons swimming this week ❤️

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