Dear Constant Reader,
Recently Scratch bought me this vintage pattern:
Yes, that’s a bikini, designed by famed pin-up and photographer Bunny Yeager! The pattern has only one size, no seam allowances, and directions are fairly minimalist. This is not for the beginning seamstress.
I decided to try it out without any alterations, just to see what size the base pattern was. I picked some fabric I didn’t care much about in case this was a major fail, but was still pretty in hopes that the garment worked. First step was tracing the pattern (you don’t cut something of this historical value!) and adding my preferred seam allowances.
There was a note that the bikini should be lined in white cotton broadcloth, which was a great suggestion. Not only would that reduce any see-through issues with the fabric, but the bottoms were designed with only two-pieces, which would leave a seam at the crotch. With a lining, all seams would now be enclosed.
Cutting and sewing the bottoms was pretty straight-forward. However, there are no instructions for working with the elastic. I frequently make panties, so I didn’t think it would be a big deal — and it wasn’t. To my great surprise, the bottoms fit almost perfectly. The only hitch was that my elastic was on the older side and wasn’t as elastic as I thought, so things bag a little more than I expected.
I had my doubts about the bikini top, as the sole pattern piece was a rectangle with a casing on the top and the bottom. I expected a darted triangle, but I’m game for anything. Thanks to a clever neck strap, the cups are adjustable, attractive and support very nicely. Admittedly, I’m not as well-endowed as some of the BeauTease, but there’s not an insignificant amount to lift and keep covered.
And here is the final result!
Photo by Scratch
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On Tuesday, B.A.B.E. will be presenting 
The Boston BeauTease have a new show premiering in just a week! To celebrate the second season of The Umbrella Academy, we are presenting 
Make a pattern to cover your bra cups.
A properly fitting corset will have a gap of a couple of inches in the back.
Threading elastic (or whatever) through things with a bobby pin of some kind is 1000x easier than using a stupid safety pin..
A pill bottle makes a great, secure container for transporting pins and needles.
Instead of cutting all the masks to size, cut or tear your fabric at 12” lengths, fold over with right sides together, and sew the long seam (1/4” seam allowance) creating a tube. (If you’re using different fabrics for front and back, this works as well. Just cut the pieces a smidge larger and sew along both long edges.) Flip the fabric and press the seams flat. You should have a long tube about 6” wide.
Cut tube in 9” segments.
You will end up with several mask rectangles that are open on both ends.
Fold both ends inside about a half inch, press flat.
Once your pleats are ironed, you should be ready to sew without needing pins.
Insert one end of a 7” piece of elastic at the top corner and sew down. Double stitch for strength.
Begin to sew the pleats down, inserting the other elastic end at the bottom corner as you go. Double stitch at the corner.
Start the next mask immediately, with no space. Repeat the process above with next mask
You can do as many masks in a chain as you’re comfortable with.
Sequined fabrics require special treatment when sewing.
I covered the outside of the box in pink satin and lined it with the same polka dot fabric I used for the apron. I had *just enough* of the polka dot fabric to line the box, but that meant I had to use a piece with a stain on it. I couldn’t gift it looking like that, so I glued a couple of white lace butterflies over the offending spot.
Oh, The Glamourous Life! 