>A Sarong Bathing Suit, Circa 1960

>This week has been so hot here in Southern California.  It seems the summer is making up for the awkward rainy spell we had last week.  Of course, I have images of a million different dresses from all different decades dancing around in my head and telling me to make them, but I called a time out these last few days while I sewed up something that’s been in my to-sew pile over a few summers now.  I bought the fabric a while ago while visiting my best friend in Chicago over a Fourth of July when her Hancock’s fabric store was closing down.  At first I saw it and thought it was wretched, but then in an “ah ha!” moment I realized it would be PERFECT for something late 50s or early 60s, and preferably a sarong.  When this pattern, McCall’s 5455 from 1960, found it’s way into my stash a few years ago I knew it was a match made in sewing heaven.  Or, so it would seem…

When I saw this in my head I thought I would magically be transformed into she-who’s-waist-size-equals-her-head-measurement like in the illustration.  Nope! Despite the oh-so-Barbie-looking model, my swimsuit didn’t come with a spell that would make my bust-waist-hip ratio equal to those if the gal on the left.  I do *like* the suit, but it does look rather frump-tastic on me (the one above was the only pic my hubby snapped that didn’t make me look like a pin-headed rectangle).  I don’t have a very curvy figure (which may be the understatement of the year), so even though my heart thrills at 1950s and early 60s clothing, my figure does not.  I had to do quite a bit of tweaking to this suit to make it fit.  Let me just say, if your cup size is on the small side save yourself a headache and do a muslin to make sure it fits.  I know, I know, this should be common sense, but my laziness meant I did lots of little  “hmm, I can tuck it here and nip it there and it’s not *that* noticeable”.  Bwahaha.  But I like it and even if I don’t wear it to the pool or beach I’ll sure as heck wear it around the house when the weather here reaches the temperatures we get in late summer.

15 Comments on >A Sarong Bathing Suit, Circa 1960

  1. Lemondrop Marie
    July 18, 2010 at 2:36 am (14 years ago)

    >I just returned from an uncommonly hot San Diego, wish I had that gorgeous little suit to wear when I was there!Marie @ Lemondrop ViNtAge

  2. reilly
    July 18, 2010 at 2:49 am (14 years ago)

    >I think it looks great!!

  3. reilly
    July 18, 2010 at 2:50 am (14 years ago)

    >I think it looks great!!

  4. amy
    July 18, 2010 at 4:07 am (14 years ago)

    >I think you look great in this!

  5. ashley
    July 18, 2010 at 4:40 am (14 years ago)

    >ooo! i've always wanted to see that pattern made up in real life. the fabric works terrifically!

  6. Angel
    July 18, 2010 at 7:32 am (14 years ago)

    >It's a gorgeous swimsuit!I am a serial lets tuck here and here no one will notice seamstress… the thing is is that when I do it everyone notices. I can't tell with this swimsuit!

  7. Andi B. Goode
    July 19, 2010 at 3:22 am (14 years ago)

    >Well, I think it looks great. And I love that the fabric you used is so close to the fabric on the pattern! Hehe.-Andi x

  8. casey
    July 19, 2010 at 4:45 pm (14 years ago)

    >I rather like it–you look quite glamorous in the picture!! :) The fabric is spot on too–what an amazing find! I have to admit, I'm one of those lazy sorts too who does "stealth tucks/tweaks" when I'm not feeling like making a muslin. lol. ♥ Caseyblog | elegantmusings.com

  9. Lauren
    July 19, 2010 at 7:47 pm (14 years ago)

    >Cute, cute, cute!!!

  10. Nathalie
    July 20, 2010 at 1:40 pm (14 years ago)

    >Couldn't disagree more with the frumptastic, I think it looks fabulous on you. So glamorous and such a dead-ringer for the pattern envelope!

  11. lsaspacey
    July 20, 2010 at 5:41 pm (14 years ago)

    >Maybe it's the expert photography, but I see curves. That looks so good on you and I love how it almost matches the one on the envelope. Will you be making the jacket too?

  12. Janice
    July 20, 2010 at 7:51 pm (14 years ago)

    >So cute!!

  13. angie.a
    July 23, 2010 at 11:07 pm (14 years ago)

    >I think its gorgeous! Nice job. The pattern is wonderful!

  14. Abigael
    July 24, 2010 at 5:55 pm (14 years ago)

    >This is really adorable! Is it just made up in cotton? A friend of mine is a teacher at a Christian school, and she was wondering if I could sketch a line of modest swimsuits, and the first thing I thought of was vintage! However, I have been a little puzzled about the fabrics used… I love your blog, btw, it is SO incredibly helpful and interesting!

  15. Donna Atkinson
    July 24, 2010 at 11:43 pm (14 years ago)

    >Completely fabulous!!! I believe it is more wonderful made up than in the illustration…great job!

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