Summer is here and it means another good reason for a new swimsuit! Luckily a couple of months ago I was offered to be one of the pattern testers for Sophie Swimsuit by Closet Case Files. This swimsuit has classic silhouette and very flattering balconette cups. “View A is a classic one-piece with a pronounced hourglass shape and skinny elastic straps. View B mixes a bra-style halter tied top with an elegant high waisted bikini bottom. With a low cut leg and a full cup, both offer sexily modest coverage.”

Initially  I made view A in a quick muslin version only because I’m not really sure about wearing a bikini. But then I saw how good the bikini looked, so I decided to make view B with foam cups and underwires.

The Sophie swimsuit has its own method of measurements. According to this system, my underbust size is 0 with cup size 5. The only alteration I made was narrowing the center gore because I have small space between breasts. This is something that I always do for any bra pattern.

For the bikini bottom, I had to chop the length quite generously because I’m petite. My bikini bottom was quite high-waisted. I found that I don’t like it although I love seeing high-waisted bikini on other people. As I have a short bodice, there is not many space left between the top and bottom. So I chop the top of the bikini bottom as well.

The fabric and lining are from Okadaya fabric store in Shinjuku. Although I used my own ways in several sections, I find that the instruction is very clear. It also includes stitch types suggestion for every part of the construction. I use black foldover elastic in several parts to add a subtle contrast.

I took my new swimsuit to our trip to Indonesia. We stayed in an apartment that has a small swimming pool on the second floor. In the pictures it may look like that I was in a resort in Bali or somewhere, but actually I was in the middle of busy Jakarta. If you were there, you could hear the sound of cars and trucks passing by. That is not important though, as long as I feel great in my peacock swimsuit!

Pattern is Sophie swimsuit by Closet Case Files (PDF) view B, size 0 cup 5 for top and size 6 for bottom.

Disclosure: The pattern was sent to me for testing purpose. All views and opinions expressed are purely my own.