Friday, March 30, 2018

McCall 3640 The 'PinUp Swimsuit'


I am so happy I finished my 'Pin-Up Swimsuit' in time for the Scottish Pin-Up Competition because it really is a special pattern and it deserved a special occasion (and let's be honest, I don't wear swimsuits a lot in Scotland! haha.)


I literally finished inserting the zipper and hand sewing the facing about 20 minutes before walking out the door last weekend (meep! nothing like a good sewing deadline, eh?)

I used McCall 3640 --the only swimwear pattern from the 1940 catalogue that was generously gifted to me from Peter at Male Pattern Boldness several years ago.  I used fabric that I won in a giveaway. The fabric is swimwear (I believe?), stretchy and a beautiful bright cherry red with small white flowers (a perfect 40s style print).



I made version A which has the bodice connected to the shorts closing in the back with a zipper (yes, a zipper for your pool wear...hmmm...) and a tie knot:


I just adore the back!!!  Soooo cute.  I'll let you in on a little secret...if you go back to the pattern illustration, you can see there are a pair of trunks you are supposed to sew that go underneath this.  It makes perfect sense because if I was actually going to wear this in the water, the shorts would be up around my neck because there is so much fabric there.  Unfortunately, I didn't have enough fabric to make the under-trunks.  I don't think I'll be wearing this in the water anyways, it's more a poolside version.  I might make another version that is waterproof!  I also still want to make version B.

You can see from the photo below, the shorts has side front and side back pieces in addition to the main front and back pieces.  It's hard to tell in the photo but there is a pleat in the front and also in the back.  Took me ages looking at the illustration and pattern guide to figure out how to put the pleat in the back below the zipper.  I sort of winged it as I'm still not sure I exactly followed the guidelines. lol.


I love the bodice.  I faced it with a navy blue synthetic fabric (most likely not waterproof. ha!) because I like just the hint of navy blue on the front tie with the red and white fabric.


Super chuffed with the fit.  I actually totally forgot to grade this pattern when I cut it out and I'm so glad I forgot because with the super stretchy swimwear fabric, it was actually a little big--so I had to take in a little on each seam.


The BAIT footwear shoes are a perfect match.  I also had the hat in my collection and the hat was actually the impetus for me to use the navy blue interfacing (as it has a cute little blue bit on the crown). 

I got my hair and make-up done by the wonderful Arian at Vanity Thrills. It's amazing having one of the world's best vintage hairstylists in town.  I asked for Hedy Lamarr in front and Rita Hayworth in the back--and it's exactly what I wanted :)



Thanks to my friend, Magdalena for the pictures and another friend, Zara, took the photo below of me on stage. How excited do I look? haha.  I just love this swimsuit!!


Yipppeeeee! Sometimes sewing deadlines are good for moving things from sewing queue to real life. I am also super happy I was able to give this pattern a twirl in an actual pin-up competition--total 1940 Project McCall bucket list completion :)
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1 comment

  1. There are people here in the U.S. who love and even sew styles from years ago. But vintage hairstylists and makeup artists!!! Am not sure this even exists outside of the motion picture industry. Maybe I'll look into it.

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I read each and every comment--thank you so much!

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