The Fabric Maverick says...Swimsuits can make a sane woman go crazy!

Swimsuit season is around the corner. If you are taking a cruise, it may already be here for you. Women have been known to cry when they try on bathing suits!  Here are a few tips to selecting the type of suit that fits your figure best:

·         For hip and tummy problems choose a color and a print that flatter your skin tone. Use your hair color and eye color for reference. Choose fabric with at least 20% spandex to minimize flab. Choose blocks of color to distract from wide hips and  tummy bulges.

·         For the bosom choose fabrics that have a texture to emphasize a small chest. To minimize a chest, choose a tank top style, choose a dark top.

·         One piece suits are a good bet for most figure types.  Where the body comes in, less is not always best.

·         Bikinis should be left to the very young or the most optimistic.

Making a bathing suit makes a great deal of sense. Many women are different sizes on the top and bottom. A pattern can be adjusted to accommodate those differences.

Here are ten sewing tips from Susan Wigley at Paragon Patterns:

TIP 1: When you apply the swim wear elastic, lay the elastic on the bed of the machine with the fabric on top, then serge the elastic on.

TIP 2: If you are fortunate enough to have a cover stitch machine, use it for all of the hems.

TIP 3: If you don't have a cover stitch machine, use a twin needle for all of your hems.

Tip 4: Sew the side seams from the bottom to the top on both sides to avoid twisting.

Tip 5: A Serger will produce the best results for sewing the seams, however, if you don't have a serger, use a zigzag stitch set at 16-20 stitches per inch. You can also use a straight stretch stitch, set at 10-12 stitches per inch.

TIP 6: Always check your Swimwear Lycra for the greatest stretch before you lay out the pattern.

TIP 7: Lay out the pattern with the greatest stretch going around the body, regardless of the grainline indicated on the pattern. (Often times the greatest stretch is on the cross-grain, rather than the straight grain).

TIP 8: If you can find 4-way stretch Swimwear Lycra in the colors or prints you like, use that.

Tip 9: Always use Swimwear Elastic, Clear Elastic or Raw Rubber Elastic for your swimwear to get best results.

Tip 10: Always use ball point needles when you sew swimwear fabrics to avoid tearing holes in the seams.

Now all you have to do is select a pattern and some swimsuit fabric and create something beautiful.