Still hot in Melb, still beaching. The @megannielsenpatterns #MNCottesloeCurve are probably the most worn item of clothing I've ever made. @insewmniacs #ISPSpringHasSprung it was about 30°C and it is technically autumn here (not spring, thanks @sarah.sews.sometimes for that one)

Finally made swimsuits I like! This is the Cottesloe top and bottom and a Seamwork Maggie top (R). #mncottesloecurve #seamworkmaggie For the Cottesloe bottoms, I chose the high waisted and added 2” to the rise. I also graded between an 18 at the hip and a 24 at the waist. They fit great! For the top, it’s a 22 and I lined the whole thing with shaper mesh. After sewing, I took out 3-3/4” from the strap. The top doesn’t fit that well- it feels drafted for a much smaller size than me because there is a lot of underarm gaping. I might sew the bottoms again, but am on the lookout for a better drafted top for my size. For Maggie, I used what I learned from Cottesloe and really changed up construction! The straps are just covered 1” elastic and the bottom band is a casing that I ran 1” elastic through. I lined the top in shaper mesh. I made a 20 and it fits amazing! It’s low cut in the front, so not something for lap swimming, more like hot tubbing. All the fabric and notions (including black rubber elastic!) came from #stonemountainfabric. Sewing isn’t “fun” per se, but I’m slowing learning best practices- like using the stretch needle, my walking foot, and basting layers before applying fabric. Also! For the rubber elastic, adding and extra 1” to each end to use as anchors while sewing (trim later). And the lightening bolt stitch for the darts on Maggie 😚 I’ve worn these so much this year and am embarrassed to admit maybe I haven’t been swimming because I didn’t have a suit I’ve liked in so long 😔 planning for some more- probably Helen’s Closet next

I swear I could cut and sew a new swimsuit faster than taking this one apart for alteration, especially since I took out all the elastic and seams except for the crotch. Whew! It needed to be resized and the side seams reshaped though. While it was deconstructed, I replaced the power mesh shelf bra with soft swim cups and underbust elastic inserted into the front lining. I am discovering that I really don’t like having any power mesh in my suits. This is the @megannielsenpatterns #mncottesloecurve that I made a while back, and it was definitely worth the extra work of getting this pretty close to moving this pattern onto tag. I have always loved a maillot! #sewingswimwear #diyswimwear #sewingswimsuits #mncottesloe

Took my latest swimsuit make for a mini photo shoot before today’s swim. I love having a number of different two pieces to swap over and I desperately needed some more suits to stop the endless hoping my kit would dry in time for the next daily swim! The fabric is from @42customfabric on a swimsuit base. It was really easy to sew with and lovely to wear. The top is based of the @megannielsenpatterns Cottesloe swimsuit with an added peplum. The bottoms are @patternsforpirates peg legs. Styled with my lovely @anita.oceanflora hat! #Sewing #LovetoSew #MeMade #CSCMakes #HomeMadeWardrobe #DressMakersOfInstagram #MeasurementsMovement #IMakeMyOwnClothes #SewBusty #MNCottesloe #MNCottesloeCurve #SewingSwimwear #42CustomFabric #P4PPegLegs #ChatterChallenge #WildSwimming #TheStoics

Last minute holiday sewing..🤩 Keskiviikkona pidettiin @juulialoha kanssa uikkaripaja! Kaavana meillä oli #mncottesloe #mncottesloecurve ja kukkalycrat #blackbirdfabrics 🌼 Ompelin uikkareita ensimmäistä kertaa, joten edettiin yrityksen ja erehdyksen kautta. Esim. stretch-neula on lycraa ommellessa ehdoton, eikä jersey-neula korvaa sitä😅 Onko siellä muita uikkariompelijoita? Mikä on sun suosikkikaava ja onko jotain hyviä vinkkejä? 😊 Lähden nyt kesälomareissulle, joten toivotaan kivoja uintisäitä ☀️ Sydde bikini med min vän i onsdags! Det var första gången för oss, men efter lite trial-and-error gick det bra 😊 #sewing #ompelu #sömnad

I am so, so proud of this swimsuit I made for myself!! The pattern is the #mncottesloecurve (#mncottesloe) one piece with tie back, lining, shelf bra, and power mesh to keep my boobs from falling out when I’m running around after the kids! I was able to choose a size that fit the top half of my body and then graded down several sizes for my small hips. Anyway, sewing people, hit me up if you have any questions! It has been so empowering to make myself a swimsuit that FITS, is super comfortable, and looks cute. I can’t wait to make the high-waisted two-piece and loungey bra and undies sets! 🌼

Happy friday 😃 Some last pictures of the back of my #mncottesloe and some swimsuit in action 😁 The deep cut back with the bow in view A of the pattern was the reason I fell in Love and bought it! As the front is quite conservative the back is a real eye-catcher. 🤩 But, as I already said, this swimsuit is not perfect and there are some changes I would make the next time. If you want to know what changes go to my blog and read the latest post I just published 😉 In general I'm quite happy with this swimsuit and I wish I could spend today at the sea or in a pool with it instead of working 😅 Wish you all a great day and a lovely weekend with time to enjoy the sun ☀️ #swimsuitsewing #mncottesloecurve #megannielsenpatterns #sewingismysuperpower #aachensews #germanysews #badeanzugnähen #nähblogger #nähenmachtglücklich

Soaking up the last days of summer by sewing new swimsuits 🩱 👙☀️ I made my wife, Nickie, a swimsuit as a belated birthday gift and I had enough to make myself one too! I have so much more summer sewing I want to do but also looking forward to a fun Vermont fall ahead 🍁 My swimsuit: @megannielsenpatterns #MNCottesloe #MNCottesloeCurve view A, one piece with low back, shelf bra, and back tie. I made a size 18 from the Curve size range. This is my first time sewing a one piece and the fit isn’t quite right in a few places, but I still think it’s super cute and I’m excited to make more swimsuits from this pattern. Nickie’s swimsuit: the top (and bikini bottoms not pictured here) are the @helens__closet #SandpiperSwimsuit. The top uses the narrower waistband option (size 4) and I made the low waisted bottoms (size 6). For the shorts, I used the #SeamworkHarrington shorts pattern from @seamwork in a size medium. Fabric: I was on the hunt for matching swimsuit fabric and boardshort fabric and @raspberrycreekfabrics came through! I love this print and the fact that I can make Nickie more cute matching swim sets. I will say that I’m normally a 100% natural fibers girl for my woven fabric, so I hated sewing with the poly boardshort fabric. In the end the struggle was totally worth it for the cute shorts. #bipocmakers #vermontsews #helensclosetpatterns #helenscloset #seamwork #megannielsenpatterns #sewqueer #handmade #handmadewardrobe #handmadeswimwear #memade #memadeeveryday #diywardrobe

I keep this up and I’ll need to order my Filpar elastic on the roll! My half-yard wonder bikini is finished. Still surprised I managed to get a high rise bottom out of a half yard, but the crotch seam on these #mncottesloe bottoms sit forward just enough to fit the full height of the front brief on the fabric. The top is a #closetcorefaye. My swim spandex stash is still out of control, but what a colorful problem to have. #sewingswimwear #mncottesloecurve #diyswimwear

For the most, life is a series of compromises. Not in a bad way, it's simply a reality. From growing up with our families, living with our partners, kids, working, we all make deals and decisions that are not just our own. And it might seem that, sometimes, we're sacrificing a lot. But how often do you try to put yourself in the position of the "opposite" side and see how much they had to give up? Do you say thank you enough? Just acknowledge the efforts of your loved ones every now and then. Show them that you care and that you know they do too ❤️ P.S. I had a wonderful vacation past week. Spent some quality time with my partner celebrating our 11th anniversary. Met with some really great friends. And wore only #memade swimwear the whole week. #goalsmet Pattern: #mncottesloe by @megannielsenpatterns in size 16 Fabric from @stylemakerfabrics . . . #diyswimwear #nycsews #ksenijasews #diyswimsuit #memadegarments #memadeswimwear #memadeswimsuit #summersew #sewingjourney #sewhappy #sewedwithlove #memadefashion #memades #curvysewing #sewmysize #mncottesloecurve #sewproud

So this is happening!! ✂️🩱🪡 I am finally trying out the mat and rotary cutter I got from @insteadofletters for christmas AND I am making a swimsuit! 💛 I’m using the #mncottesloecurve pattern, a fun lycra remnant from @ohlssonstyger and the little pattern weights were a gift from @ladyrowena_sews some years ago. 💛 Thus is so exciting!!! 🥳 Also, the pressure is on - the offspring is starting a baby swim course on monday and I need something to wear in the water. So let’s see if I can finish it this weekend! ⚡️⚡️⚡️ #imakemyclothes #memadewardrobe #handmadewardrobe #swimsuitsewing #mncottesloe #megannielsenpatterns #memadeeveryday #lovetosew #sewingunderpressure

Kicking off my first swimsuit project as I'm off to Darwin for a holidaaaayyy!! Pattern is the #mncottesloecurve, and the gorgeous swimsuit fabric and notions are from @tessutifabrics. #sewmelbourne #curvysewist

Went for a swim at the Lido this evening to test out my newly sewn swimsuit! This is made from the fabric I had left from my last swimsuit from @spoonflower designed by @penguinhouse_art The top is based of the @megannielsenpatterns Cottesloe swimsuit. I took the bikini, added a peplum and lined with a shelf bra for added support! The bottoms are the @patternsforpirates peg legs at bike short length which is perfect for being able to cycle to the beach and then swim! Edited to add; cottesloe swimsuit pattern is from the curve range which goes to a bust of 56” and hip 58”. I have made two now and found the bra supportive enough for active swimming without the faff of changing out of underwire swim stuff. Peg legs pattern goes to 64” hip and is a free pattern. #Sewing #LovetoSew #MeMade #CSCMakes #HomeMadeWardrobe #DressMakersOfInstagram #MeasurementsMovement #IMakeMyOwnClothes #MNCottesloe #MNCottesloeCurve #SewingSwimwear

This might not look very impressive off my body, but it is a huge victory for me! These are the #mncottesloecurve high rise bottoms. The simplicity of these bottoms allowed me to adjust these easily to fit. I'm please as punch, and will likely make the top before the summer is over. I pretty much mix and match all my swim tops and bottoms. So if I don't get to it. Oh well? ADJUSTMENTS: I am 5'10" and measured a size 24 in my hips and a 22 in my waist. // I graded in between sizes and after a first muslin discovered I needed to take in the back waist by 4.5" beyond the size 20, but add to the center front rise to accommodate my stomach by 1.25". // These adjustments made the the waistband a size 14 in the back and a size 20 in the front.// I chose to fully line the swimsuit (the inner lining was my second muslin), and needed to reduce the leg opening elastic by 4.4" because I used cotton elastic. @megannielsenpatterns #mncottesloe // fabric from @fabricfairy

Taking one (a selfie) for the team here, and this is partly what motivated me to start modelling my makes. I really appreciate other fat makers doing so as it's so informative and helpful, but most of us are too chicken. This is #mncottesloe #mncottesloecurve. I made a straight size 24 which from measurements should have been a bit small on the bottom and just right on top but actually it's perfect on the bottom and a little large on top. YMMV due to elasticity of fabric and swim rubber. It's lined with power mesh throughout except the front of the top which is lined with the main fabric, which is recycled and chlorine resistant. For the waist and underbust elastic I just measured it against myself. This has been in constant use since I finished it as I swim most days. It's basically the swimsuit of my dreams: vaguely sporty, good coverage, secure. Total result and quick to sew too so there will be many more. Plain black, fun prints... 🏊🏊🏊🏊🏊 Alt: A fat white middle-aged woman with long curlyish brown hair and a green fringe wearing a bright purple bikini. It is a plain, sporty style with big pants and a crop top. #MeMadeEveryDay #SewOver50August #FatSewing #PlusSizeSewing #FatSewingClub #MeMadeMayPlus #SewSwimwear @megannielsenpatterns @sewover50

A two piece in progress out of a half yard cut of swim lycra. The top is a #closetcorefaye and the bottom is a #mncottesloe. #sewingswimwear #mncottesloecurve

A selection of Scottish swims! We had a lovely few weeks exploring Scotland in the campervan, mainly doing the #NC500 route, and luckily that meant we passed lots of lovely beaches and lochs for some winter swims! I managed 20 swims towards my @chatter_challenge total, bringing me up to 100 since the 1st November! Also for wearing me made swimsuits, two #MNCottesloe came on tour! #WildSwimming #TheStoics #Scotland #MeMade #Adventure #ChatterChallenge #WinterSwimming #MNCottesloeCurve

Marked Christmas by doing my 50th open water swim since the 1st November! I am throughly enjoying taking part in the #ChatterChallenge and did not expect to reach my goal of 50 swims all winter by Christmas… here’s to more after Christmas… Hope everyone has had a lovely Christmas! #WildSwimming #MNCottesloe #SewingForSwimming #MNCottesloeCurve

Cottesloe swimming costume ✨👙 I started making this swimming cossie in Nov 2019 and needless to say there's been a ~slight~ lack of holidays since then... And despite having 18 months to make it I still ended up staying up until 2am the night before we set off to sew in 2m of swimming elastic 😬 I sewed a size 14 in the top and 16 on the bottoms but probably would just sew a 16 in both next time so it's easier to get on and off! Also struggled to find 1 inch swimwear elastic anywhere so used 'normal' 1.5 elastic in the top waistband because I'm quite likely to sew another top in the same fabric so not really an issue if the elastic degrades quicker. THEN in stroke of 11pm madness sewed two lengths of 1/2" inch swimming elastic together with a large zigzag to make ~~ a whole inch ~~ for the bottoms :o ⚠️ buuut was so pleased with my ingenious plan that I didn't keep track of which ends I was actually holding so the first time around I actually sewed the ends of one strip together rather than two separate strips 🤦‍♀️ PSA don't attempt elastic ingenuity post 10pm folks! DONT even get me started on the faff that is finding bra cups for swimming costumes - in the end I just cannibalised some bra foam from an old bra 🙃 Pattern is the @megannielsenpatterns cottesloe curve in view D. Outer fabric is from @spoonflower and swimwear lining and elastic is from @newcrafthouse #mncottesloe #sewist #cottesloeswimsuit #SewingSwimwear #mncottesloecurve #HandmadeWardrobe #LondonSews #holibobs #SewingHacks #YouCanHackIt #newcrafthouse #newcrafthousefabric #spoonflower

Can you believe I made my own bathers?! I can hardly believe it myself. I haven't actually had a chance to try them out in the water yet, but they feel good on land, so I'm hoping they hold up to actual swimming over summer. Also, if you're like me and thinking about making bathers, know that it's not actually that difficult. I had built it up in my mind that it was going to be super duper frustrating, but it was actually fine. . Originally I was going to make both halves of the cottesloe, but once I'd done the bottom half I decided to go with a different top. Part of that decision was because the cottesloe pattern seems to assume a couple of things about bodies that annoyed me. Like that waist and underbust band sizes were the same (mine are 3" different), or that there's no need for lengthen/shorten lines (I had to pick a random spot to slash and spread to extend the rise to fit). Or that your bra cup size and your dress cup size are the same (I currently have a dress cup D and a bra cup I-J). So anyway, I decided to go with a top pattern that offered true cup sizes. The instructions from the laela jeyne pattern weren't great, and without elastic I think would come off the first time you swam through a wave but I muddled through and ended up with a good outcome. . Top: @laelajeynepatterns #islabikini modified to include elastic around the arms and underbust and included foam cups . Bottom: @megannielsenpatterns #mncottesloe #mncottesloecurve . Fabric: @blackbirdfabrics #bfswim in Terazzo . Notions & lining: @tessutifabrics

Happy wednesday 😃 #challengeaccepted #womensupportingwomen Thank you for the nomination @levlia_ 💕 I really feel a lot of support and comfortable enough to post pictures even in my swimsuit! 🤗 Here you can also see the back view of my #mncottesloe by @megannielsenpatterns with the low neckline and bow. This detail was the reason I chose this pattern 😊 Have a great day and feel loved and supported ❤️ #supportingeachother #mncottesloecurve #swimsuitsewing #aachensews #germanysews #community #badeanzugnähen #nähenistmeinyoga #nähblogger

Introducing the party swimsuit. I made it a while ago and only just got round to getting some photos. Made from the left over fabric from my mermaid costume for a charity swim a few years ago. Limited stretch in the fabric so not perfect but fun anyway! It’s my go to swim suit pattern, the @megannielsenpatterns Cottesloe swimsuit. It also made its appearance to be part of Me Made May! Now to find a swimming party… #MNCottesloe #Sewing #LovetoSew #MeMade #CSCMakes #HomeMadeWardrobe #DressMakersOfInstagram #MeasurementsMovement #IMakeMyOwnClothes #SewBusty #MNCottesloeCurve #MeMadeSwimsuit #MeMadeMay #MeMadeMay2025

Lomalle lomps! 💦 Nyt kelpaa lähteä reissun päälle, kun on bikiniasiat kunnossa. 👙 Kaava: Cottesloe swimsuit #mncottesloe #mncottesloecurve Megan Nielsen Patterns Kankaat: musta uikkarikangas B’wear & kukallinen Pionipilvi urheilutrikoo Nuppu Print Company 👙 Molemmat on tehty kokoa 20, mut omia muutoksia siellä täällä. Mustaan olis saanut olla pienempi koko, kun on joustavampaa matskua. Kukallisen tein ensin ja siihen on vain jalanteitä muokattu sopivimmiksi. Sama mustaan, ja lisäksi pääntietä edestä ja takaa avarrettu ja ala-osan korkeutta otettu pois 2,5cm. Parhaat uima-asut mitä mulla ikinä on ollut 🥰

Finished my first project for #makenine2022 🩱💥💪 I needed a swimsuit for babyswim lessons and finally cut into this remnant from @ohlssonstyger. Pattern is #mncottesloe, the curve range. Very easy to sew and fits me really well. ✂️🪡 so of course Now I want to make another one 😌 #imakemyclothes #handmadewardrobe #memadewardrobe #sewingswimwear #swimsuitsewing #mncottesloecurve #sewingismytherapy #sewingismysuperpower #megannielsenpatterns

I made another swimsuit! Right when I finished my last swimsuit, I saw this fabric released from @blackbirdfabrics and I knew I had to make another. I chose the #mncottesloecurve pattern. I first made a toile in normal knit fabrics, which helped figure out sizing. I ended up with a size 14 top and size 18 bottom. I love having swim separates because I have a more full hip and narrow shoulders so it’s always tough for me to find one size that can handle all of me. :) I worked super fast in the days before our lake trip last week to get this done. Then I put it on, and alas! It was too tight. The arm hole openings kept digging into my armpits and I think the elastic was too tight. Then the bottoms are real high waisted but the elastic was so tight that it was digging into my ribs when I would bend down. Ha! Not super comfy. So I took the suit off after a couple hours and had myself a good cry. Sewing isn’t always a walk in the park. It’s complicated and expensive and time consuming and for me, emotional. I debated just trying to start over and make it again, but I decided to work with what I already had. So I cut off the waistband and redid it with thinner small elastic. I unpicked all the elastic in the top and have added a bit more to it. The seam ripping takes quite a long time, but this fabric is worth it! I’m really happy with the fit of the bottoms, but I’m not totally committed to the fit of the top. I think I might prefer a racerback style top. Luckily I have more of this fabric to experiment with!

Sewing swimwear in winter, like a regular Queenslander I really love the Megan Nielsen Cottesloe set. I’ve made 5 of them now, 2Xmaternity hacks, two regular one pieces, and now my first bikini set. I was mostly interested in trying this out because I wanted a new crop/bra. Instead of adding a shelf I just cut two of the front piece and made one a little smaller at the sides to add compression. I’m fortunate to have a bust that can live with just a little support. I’m not fantastic at making bottoms. I can never seem to get the elastic right. Any pointers would be graciously accepted! . . #mncottesloe #mncottesloecurve #mncottesloehack #megannielsenpatterns #megannielsen #swimwearsewing #everybodyisabikinibody #makersmovement #curvysewing

Massyaallah perfom tingting banget onyo @betrandpetoputraonsu ❤ @ruben_onsu @sarwendah29 #mncottesloecurve #betrandpetolovers #ruben #rezekiallah

Happy monday 😃 It has really been a while since I sewed myself this swimsuit but I only was able to take pictures while sailing a few weekends ago. 🙈 I'm still proud of this first swimwear garment I sewed out of Lycra and even tho there a some things I'd like to change next time, I love wearing it. 🥰 The pattern is the #mncottesloe by @megannielsenpatterns in a size 14/16 and I sewed it out of this black Lycra with gold marbeling I ordered from @spoonflowerde. ☺️ And I'm also proud I feel comfortable enough to post these pictures. There was no way I wouldn't show you this swimsuit and it just looks best when it's worn. 😉 Wish you a great start into the new week and a lovely monday ❤️ #swimsuit #swimsuitsewing #mncottesloecurve #bathingsuit #aachensews #germanysews #proudofmyself #badeanzugnähen #nähenistwiezaubernkönnen #ichnähmirdieweltwiesiemirgefällt

I did some sewing this weekend! It rarely happens at the moment so was nice to actually get through something I’d planned for a while! It was made on Saturday and then tested out at the beach sauna with a few dips in the waves. This is the @megannielsenpatterns #CottesloeSwimsuit. It’s double lined with bright yellow as white could have been interesting but I couldn’t resist the lemons. My homemade swimsuits are in constant rotation, so it’s nice to have another! I used the tips and tricks from my course with @theswimmingseamstress which made the process so much easier, so would throughly recommend if you want to learn to make a cossie! #Sewing #LovetoSew #MeMade #CSCMakes #HomeMadeWardrobe #DressMakersOfInstagram #MeasurementsMovement #IMakeMyOwnClothes #SewBusty #MNCottesloe #MNCottesloeCurve #MeMadeSwimwear #TheStoics #WildSwimming

I sewed my own swimsuit this summer! I used #mncottesloecurve, the plus size #mncottesloe. It may be one of my favorite projects to date. With swimwear, you can see EXACTLY what doesn’t fit right, so it’s easier to make adjustments. I made 4-5 test versions. I usually HATE test versions – who has time to sew things you can’t wear?! – but learned so much with each iteration that I decided to press on. Figuratively. Because you don’t have to press a swimsuit! While no one should be ashamed to post a swimsuit photo, I’m just not there yet. Instead, I am including 1. flat photos of the finished suit, 2. my final mock-up sitting on top of the same size, already-graded original version without other adjustments (much shorter!), 3. photos of lining and adjustments, and 4. photos of my kiddo in a #mnminicottesloe made with scraps. Adjustments: I graded from one shoulder size to several sizes bigger at the waist and back down one at the hip, reduced the leg opening in front so my post-baby stomach didn’t show (like side boob but less attractive), swayback adjustment of 1.5” (adding a seam in back) AND shortened 2” at waist/line, pinched out excess fabric into darts and reshaped armscyes, narrowed shoulder, and shortened shoulder about 3”. I made the plainest silhouette possible (View B). I did a full lining plus shelf bra with cups. I tried sewing the cups right into the lining, but they didn’t stay under my boobs. Then I tried to add elastic into the lining below the cups, but I went back to lining + shelf. Tips/Tricks: Use a walking foot. I used a tricot or triple stitch, which was stitch no. 11 on my Janome. If your seams start waving, increase stitch length – especially for bulky seams or many layers. (I used a stitch length of 1.7). Use ball point pins and needles to avoid poking holes in the fabric. If adding foam cups, mark the edges so you know how much to stretch the fabric when you sew – it should mimic the stretch on your body, and it’s more than I expected! #plussizesewing #handmadewardrobe #memadewardrobe #sewingblogger #imakemyownclothes #sewmysize #fatsewing #fatsewingclub #curvysewing #slowfashion #sewistsofinstagram #isewmyownclothes

#MeMadeMiercoles Caribbean edition. Been floating on the sea for the last 4 days. Salty hair, wet swimsuit and happy heart 💙 • Jumpsuit: #caladiumjumpsuit by @caramiyamaui (up to B:58; W:50; H:62) in a thrifted linen curtain from IKEA. Made a size 24/26 and has proven to be the perfect beach garment. Swimsuit: #mncottesloecurve by @megannielsenpatterns (up to B:60; W:52; H:62) Still a few days left in paradise • Current measurements: B:47; W:46; H:58; 167cm tall #torontosews #canadasews #cscmakes #curvysewing #curvysewingcollective #plussizesewing #plussizeootd #memadeeveryday #imakemyclothes #plussizesewingpatterns #fatsewing #handmadewardrobe #imakemyclothes #sustainablesewing #thriftedsewing #mmootd #imnot2d #fatsewingclub #imperfectsewing #memadeonrepeat #whatwewearonwednesdays #oldmakenewoutfit

1 month into my challenge, 27 swims completed in some chilly water! And all while wearing home made swimsuits! The link to my charity challenge is in my bio if you would like to support me swimming in more cold water for cancer research! This is my Megan Nielsen Cottesloe swimsuit in spoonflower Lycra, need to make another!! #WildSwimming #OutdoorSwimming #ChatterChallenge2021 #SewingSwimwear #SewReworn #MNCottesloeCurve #MNCottesloe

So I cut out this Cottesloe Curve (D cup block, up to 56” B 58” H) in 2019 and promptly forgot about it while waiting for the swim elastic to arrive 😂 I found it at the bottom of a cloth bin while looking for swim notions. I went ahead and sewed it up, and it’s so novel to have a maillot that’s long enough to get into! #mncottesloecurve #sewbustycommunity

It's finished! Just in time for all the pools to be closed. 😆 It is a great basic pattern and I look forward to wearing it... next spring. #mncottesloe #mncottesloecurve // swim fabric and notions from @fabricfairy , Adjustments to top: size 14* lined with powermesh on back and swim fabric on front with sewn in foam cups * straightened out the bottom curve of the front with 3/4 inches removed at CF * reduced width of back by 2 inches by removing from CB and side seams * the armhole openings ended up being too small for my strong shoulders once the elastic was sewn in. I increased the elastic length to 22" (which is longer than the armhole opening) and would scoop out the armhole larger on any future versions * (adjustments to bottom detailed in a few posts back)

I am struggling with elastic length on my #mncottesloecurve bikini bottoms, but at least the fabric is 😍. Also, I am super proud of the adjustments I have made so far. I think this has potential for being my best fitting swim suit ever. #mncottesloe @fabricfairy @megannielsenpatterns UPDATE: I reduced the elastic length by 4.5". It seems a much better fit now!