https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/supportive-swimwear • Posted by Maria T
Adding a bust shelf and bust cups in swimsuits keeps you looking shapely no matter where you swim or hope to swim.
Adding a bust shelf and bust cups in swimsuits keeps you looking shapely no matter where you swim or hope to swim.
When you're making a swimsuit, you'll need supportive lining, elastic and bust cups to suit your shape. Ask your fabric retailer for 'power mesh'. If they know what this is, you're in the right store.
Here's the test version I sewed first. You can see the bust cups are removeable but I realised this isn't a secure way to keep your shape while in the water at the beach. The lining on this version was sewn into the side seams, leg hems and top. I found there was a lot of stress in the side seams so the next powermesh lining is not sewn into the side seams. This version is more 'apres-swimsuit' worthy. You know, lounging around a resort style pool and sipping wonderful drinks.
This version worked much better. The body of the swimsuit have lining. The lining is sewn only to the legs and top. The bust shelf is a separate piece and I've used a row of elastic to keep this bust shelf high and 'in position'. Then the cups are zigzagged onto the shelf piece.
You can see the cups are sewn in here from this back view.
Here's the finished swimsuit. I've since worn this on holidays and it keeps me in place, all the time. The fabric is also beautiful and works well with a sarong or shorts. I bought this fabric from Pitt Trading in Sydney.