From Leotard Pattern to Tankini Top

I saw this pattern, Kwik Sew 3774, back when one of the locations of my favorite fabric store was liquidating everything for a move.  Although it is a leotard pattern I thought it would make an awesome tankini top. Both M. & B. were all over it when they saw it.  I knew they would be.

Here is Kwik Sew's versions of this pattern.



And here is our version--View B.

She received LOTS of great comments at the pool from her friends and mine.  And she loves it!

On view B. I needed to extend the upper portion of the pattern about 1" in order to have enough room to fold down and still have the straps slide thru.

Below is how the original pattern finished up--fold over and the edges didn't match. 

So once the straps were inserted it was pulling weird on the front side.  I didn't like it.

Now I have to fix this for B. so she can wear the "mermaid" suit to the pool. 

We'll pair this tankini with black bottoms.

Per the pattern the straps cross in the back.

M. had me add just a little extra band at the bottom for her comfort level when she raised her arms.  I cut a 3" strip, folded it in half lengthwise and then attached it to the bottom of the tankini.

Her suit is a girls' size 14 and the finished length from underarm to hem is 14".

B.'s gold metallic swimsuit fabric from Jo-Ann Fabrics.

Linking up to WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced.