Hello everyone out in Greenstyle Land! As soon as the Boca Bay Swimsuit was just released, we started dreaming of all the ways we could hack it to get even more fun looks. Although we have so many more ideas, we'll start you off with just 3: A Flounce hack from Cynthia Hendrickson, a Lace Up Front hack from Danielle Allen, and a Keyhole Front hack from Melanie Burns.
We'll start off with the Flounce hack first.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Boca Bay Pattern Front Piece
- Extra Paper
- Pencil
- Ruler
- Tape
- Start by tracing the front part of your Boca Bay Top. Add your desired length. For reference, I am making Size D with the Gathered side seam (for larger cup sizes) and added 1” to the side seam and 2” to the center fold line.
- To create the Flounce we’ll use the Slash and Spread method. Begin by drawing vertical lines on your pattern piece. I drew 9 lines. Notice that they’re not evenly spaced. There are more lines closer together near the center fold line. That’s because I want more of the fullness of the flounce at the front center. You can space your Iines however you choose.
- Now for the “slash” part of Slash and Spread. Cut each line from the bottom ‘almost’ all the way up to the top. Leave a tiny bit of paper uncut at the top of each line to act as a hinge.
- Spread each slash open. I spread each one 1” at the bottom. Strips of paper cut 1” wide help tremendously on this step. Or you can simply use a ruler and tape the whole thing down onto a big piece of paper.
- After you’ve slashed and spread trim up all the edges to make a smooth bottom curve and your new flounce pattern piece will look something like this.
- Mark 3/8” up from the original bottom edge of your pattern piece. If you’re using the gathered front you’ll need to use the back piece to get the adjusted (post gathers) side seam length and mark 3/8” from that spot. It will be higher up than shown in this picture.
- Now you’ll cut out your Flounce piece. Cut one on the fold.
- Follow the Tutorial Steps 1-3. Then mark the Top Center of your Front and Flounce piece and lay both on your work surface Right Side Up. Slide the Flounce on top of your Front
- Line up the Side Seams, Armscyes, and Centers and pin making sure the side seam of the Flounce is 3/8” shorter than the Front. This so the Flounce doesn’t get sewn into the bottom band at the end
- Baste the two pieces together along side seams, armscyes, and top. Again, make sure the flounce side seam is 3/8” shorter than the front. Now is the time to trim, if necessary.
- Follow the remainder of the tutorial treating the new Front Piece with Flounce the same as the plain front piece. Just make sure to keep the flounce out of the way when attaching the back piece and bottom band.
First up, we are going to alter our front piece! I removed 1.5” from the center, and then curved the neckline up to meet the strap insertion point. Copy this piece, removing ¼” from the bottom to create your new lining pattern piece
I cut two linings, one from swim lining (from bluemoon) and one from techsheen. I cut a slit in the center of my lining to create an area I could add removable cups, and basted my lining to my techsheen. From now on they are treated as one piece
Add elastic to your seams (optional, but I swear it makes it better)
Now let’s focus on our band. We are going to start it ¼” in from the end. I put wonder tape on mine to use for scale (we’re going to fold it In later, and I love the wonder tape takes the place of clips for me sometimes)
Measure ¾” in on each straight side of the front and stitch a line. This helps take the “pull” off your grommets and saves us from needing to add extra interfacing
The top and bottom, and then halfway between those marks for a total of 5 grommets)