Surprise! It’s another swimsuit! I decided I needed TWO new suits for my holiday, because that’s reasonable, right? I nearly went crazy trying to get them both done, but it was totally worth it 🙂 Last week I showed you my Sophie Swimsuit, and this week, the Maison Fleur 8101!
This swimsuit pattern offers a bikini top and bottoms option or a one piece, which I chose. The sides of the suit have gathers with ties that can be worn bunched up or not, depending on your preference. I wasn’t so sure about the ties at first, but I actually think they are pretty adorable!
The one piece option has two rouleau straps on each side that tie behind the neck in a halter top. I find skinny halter ties really uncomfortable, so I opted to do a cross back with the rouleau loops separated out a bit for a cool criss-cross effect.
I really like the fit of this suit around my backside, and the cut of the leg holes are nice and comfortable, too. I did have to add considerable length to the front and back to accommodate my longer torso. I added about 3” in total, and it is still a bit too short I think. The top is not sitting quite high enough. Also, this suit is not designed for a larger bust size, and even with my relatively small bust, there is not as much coverage as I would like. I like the cut and I do think it is flattering, but I don’t feel 100% comfortable with the amount of coverage. It is more of a personal preference than a problem with the design, though.
We took these pics on our vacation to Hornby Island here in BC, and my sister had her waterproof camera so we got some great jumping shots, too! I am sad that our time on the island is over, but these photos are a great souvenir of our amazing trip.
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7 Comments on “Maison Fleur 8101 Swimsuit”
Really adorable!
I absolutely love this swim suit. The fabric is beautiful and the style really suits you. I really like what you did with the cross overs in back. I hate halter necks (well I love the look of them, they just don’t work with my bust) and I’m always looking for inspiration on what to do instead. I really like this idea and may have to steal it for my next swimsuit. I’m almost tempted to buy this pattern except that it doesn’t look like it would work for my DD or above bust.
Thanks, Jenny! You might look into the Sophie Swimsuit for a more supportive bust option, it has a nice cut as well and is fun to sew! The top on this suit will definitely not hold a DD cup, I am a small C and it is pushing it.
I love what you did with the straps! I agree, skinny halters dig in, regardless of cup size. I’m actually the opposite when it comes to top-half coverage – there’s so little there that it feels perfectly decent (after all what’s the difference between my smooth flat upper-chest and my smooth flat middle-chest?). This became a problem recently when I got a massive pimple front and center that I wanted to avoid sunscreening, but all my summer clothes are deep cut. Oops!
haha, I hate those front and centre pimples! I always admire the low cut look on other women, but I just don’t feel comfortable in it! Oh well. Thanks for the love!
I love this swimsuit! You did a great job with it and I love that side rushing. And can you really have enough swimsuits? When I go on a beach vacation, I feel like I need a number of them, just like I do outfits. 😉 (I say this, and I have yet to make myself a swimsuit. Ha!)
So, recently, I’ve been listening to a really old podcast called Sew Forth Now. You may have heard of it, as it was hosted by Lori of Girls in the Garden. Anyway, on episode 5, she interviews a lady and they talk all about swimsuits and their construction. Anyway, the reason I am telling you this is, that they said that sometimes, women feel like their swimsuit is a bit too short in the body, when in reality the problem is that they need a bigger cup size for more coverage. So if you feel like you are pulling at your swimsuit to lift it up to cover your boobs, it might be that there just isn’t enough fabric around your bust area. Does that make sense? Anyway, that might be what’s happening with you. You might need to got up a size in the bust, so you have more fabric, and so it doesn’t feel like it needs to be pulled up. Just a thought.
Beautiful! I know it’s been a while since this post but I am trying to make this and I can’t figure out if seam allowances are added in or if I have to add them. Help!