Pattern Revolution- Women's BundleUP Blog Tour- Golden Rippy, Mykonos Tankini Collection (MODIFIED)

Golden Rippy Mykonos Tankini Collection

Today is my turn on the Pattern Revolution Women's BundleUP Tour and I couldn't be more excited to share my latest sewing project with you! I sewed up the Golden Rippy Mykonos Tankini Collection. You heard me correctly- I sewed MYSELF a bathing suit! I mean, what kind of crazy person does that sort of thing?!?! Me, that's who! And, with the Golden Rippy Mykonos Tankini Collection PDF sewing pattern, you can, too!!

Let's go over some pattern basics, first;

-The Mykonos Tankini Collection comes in Ladies sizes XXS-XXXL. That's a generous size range!

-The Mykonos Tankini Collection is a mix and match pattern- there are three top options (Empire waist, Peplum and Triangle Top) and three bottom options (regular bikini bottoms, skirted bikini bottoms and boy shorts). YOU choose which bottom and which top most flatters your figure!

-Sizing chart, fabric requirements chart, cutting guide and pattern layout guide are all provided in the Mykonos Tankini Collection PDF sewing pattern tutorial.

The great thing about sewing something for yourself is the fact that you can alter it to fit your body- bumps, lumps and all! I sewed the regular bikini bottoms and the (modified) empire waist top. I sewed up a small (bust and bottom) but graded out to a medium for my waist. I bought my swimsuit fabric, swimsuit lining and swim elastic from Hancock Fabrics.

First off, the directions for the Mykonos Tankini Collection are nice and clear. This was my first time using a Golden Rippy PDF sewing pattern. Up until this point, I've never sewn myself a bathing suit. So, I needed a pattern that would hold my hand and tell me exactly what to do, when to do it- the Mykonos Tankini Collection does just that! Simple shaded illustrations with helpful arrows accompany each step-by-step direction.

I really enjoyed the fact that the Mykonos Tankini Collection has lots of great options to create the perfect bathing suit for you and your body type. There are three options for both bottoms and top. It's just like shopping for a suit, but better because you get to determine the fit!

Now, let's talk about my modifications (not included in the Mykonos Tankini Collection PDF sewing pattern). I first sewed this suit up in one evening- the bottoms were a cinch and fit me perfectly. There were no modifications to the bottom- I love the way they fit- great coverage in the back and they sit perfectly on my hips.

The top, on the other hand.... well.... let's just say it wasn't a perfect fit. I don't necessarily believe it was the pattern's fault- I just wanted a suit that fit me and my proportions better. So, after scrapping my first top (I would HIGHLY recommend making a muslin of this suit. That way, you can get a feeling for the fit and styling and adjust accordingly), I started over (on my top). On my scrapped, first attempt top, I noted what worked and what didn't. Then, using the Mykonos Tankini Collection as my guide, I made a top to fit me.

Here are my own, personal modifications to the Mykonos Tankini Collection (not included in the PDF sewing pattern);

-I took the Empire waist pattern piece and lengthened the bottom hem of the top by 5".

-I added a 10"x2" panel on the inside, sides to create ruching (aka, conceal any extra "fluff.").

-I added a "cinch" to the center bust panel to help define the area.

-I took the front top piece and doubled it in height. Then, I gathered the sides of my extra piece and attached it on top of another front top piece (cut to correct size). 

-Last but not least, instead of making two straps to tie together around the neck, I just made one. Sewing the elastic into the teeny tiny strap tube just about did me in. One was all I could manage! So, I took my one strap, measured around my neck and sewed it into the suit permanently- nothing to tie, or bother with while chasing after my little fish at the pool!

Overall, I was really pleased with the Mykonos Tankini Collection PDF sewing pattern. It really helped me overcome my fear (and the mystery) of sewing myself a bathing suit. By using the Mykonos Tankini Collection as my base and guide, I was able to create a bathing suit that had just the right amount of coverage and support for me. Love that!

Now, go forth and purchase the Mykonos Tankini Collection as part of the Pattern Revolution Women's BundleUP sale! There are so many great patterns included in the sale- you won't want to miss the bundled pricing.

Golden Rippy Mykonos Tankini Collection

Please check out some other wonderful creations sewn up by other talented bloggers using the Pattern Revolution Women's BundleUP patterns!

Mimi's Mom - Baby Fish Designs - The Wholesome Mama - Gloria June - Sew Happily Ever After - Manning the Machine - Sew Like My Mom - Sproutign Jube Jube - Keep Calm and Carrion - Friends Stitched Together - Thread Riding Hood - Gingerbear Hibbadorary - Pensebrox - Sew Starly - If Only They Would Nap - Handmade Boy - All Things Katy - Bunch-o-Berries - Bee Quilted BeautiesSew Thrifty - Made by Sara - Feathers Flights - Mabey She Made It - Mae and K - Sugar Plum Cuties - Rebel and Malice - House of Estrela - Phat Quarter Blog - Sofilanjes

***Disclosure: "I received a free pattern in order to review this pattern. The opinions expressed here are my own."***