Vintage on Tap

Category: Accessories

Click the links below to jump to learn about sewing vintage style accessories from specific pattern companies:

  • Video: The McCalls 7168 Swim Suit

    Sewing McCalls 7168 Swim Suit | @vintageontap

    Looking around the Sutro Bath ruins in my pinup bathing suit, Sewing McCalls M7168 | @vintageontap

    Can I share how long McCalls 7168 Swim Suit actually took me to make?

    And it wasn’t even about issues with the pattern itself! This suit spent a solid 18 days at my sewing table, asking to be made. As you can see in my YouTube video, there were several outfit changes during the entire process: a little work done here, a little work done there. Had I actually sat down and applied myself, M7186 could have been done within a weekend and have been ready for the San Francisco Pride Parade! Same could be said about the video, too; it was a huge hurdle to get it up and out there!

    You can’t rush a project, though: in 15 years at the sewing pedal I’ve learned a project will take as long as its going to take.

    The McCalls 7168 swim suit was covered in last week’s photoshoot post and the above video really dives into what it was like to sew swimwear for the very first time. I experienced issues with the sewing needle, getting the machine settings just right, and overall, fighting with the elastic which I just didn’t buy enough of. If I were to make this bathing suit again, I know I would be a lot more prepared. I’m just happy and thankful that the fabric and design were so forgiving and that I don’t feel an ounce self conscious wearing this killer pinup suit!

    Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links :)

  • Completed: McCalls 7168 Pinup Bathing Suit

    Completed: McCalls 7168 Pinup Bathing Suit

    Sewing a Pinup Bathing Suit, McCalls 7168 | @vintageontap

    Posing in a Pinup Bathing Suit, McCalls 7168 | @vintageontap

    Rocking a fun and tropical Pinup Bathing Suit, McCalls 7168 | @vintageontap

    Posing in a new Pinup Bathing Suit, McCalls 7168 | @vintageontap

    Sewing a Pinup Bathing Suit, McCalls 7168 | @vintageontap

    Hanging in there in the wind out at Sutro Baths | @vintageontap

    Looking around the Sutro Bath ruins in my pinup bathing suit, Sewing McCalls M7168 | @vintageontap

    Looking around the Sutro Bath ruins in my pinup bathing suit, Sewing McCalls M7168 | @vintageontap

    Halter top back detail, Pinup bathing suit, McCalls M7168 | @vintageontap

    Halter top back detail, Pinup bathing suit, McCalls M7168 | @vintageontap

    Halter top detail, Pinup bathing suit, McCalls M7168 | @vintageontap

    Top stitching detail, Pinup bathing suit, McCalls M7168 | @vintageontap

    Talk about a pinup bathing suit!

    This year I challenged myself to sew something different, and for this project I focused on learning to sew with new materials. A pinup bathing suit was my first toe into sewing swimwear knits and I’m happy McCall’s 7168 worked. It challenged me to take the sewing skills I’m all ready comfortable with and marry them with some new techniques.

    First, the fabric: a lovely vintage 60s swimwear knit I picked up from the Etsy store Kchoos. I talk about this great fabric in my June 2016 haul video (check it out if you haven’t all ready!) Insanely happy tropical fruits and flowers are featured all over it and you can get lost in all the colors. The fabric fed into the tiki kick I’ve been on lately, so I couldn’t resist. Also, the bright colors hides any mistakes I made in construction!

    McCall’s M7168 is a modern pattern that lends itself to a lot of possibilities. 

    The amount of sewing options can be a little bit overwhelming, but they’re fun to think about because you can create your ideal two-piece. The mix and match is a selling point and there are a lot of pattern pieces to work with no matter what design you chose. After the dust settled, I went with the high waisted briefs +  plain waistband + no panel gathers…. combined with halter top. Mouthful for sure, but the ideal retro-inspired piece.

    My main concern making the pinup bathing suit was whether or not it would even fit! Other considerations I was worried about:

    1. Did I need to do a full bust adjustment?
    2. How much negative ease was built in?
    3. Would any of the bands look weird on my short torso?

    For sewing without a muslin, the bathing suit worked out in the end. I think if I were to make this pinup  suit again, I would certainly tweak the pattern just slightly- but barely slightly- around the openings for my legs as I found them just a touch tight. The piece actually fit better than I anticipated, so no complaints overall! My upcoming YouTube video about this piece is going to go a little bit more into the nitty gritty on the process of creation- subscribe to my channel to see it as soon as its published!

    Disclaimer: This post contains a couple affiliate links :)