Deeeeeeeeep breath.  OH BOY.  I am about to post pictures of myself in a swimsuit on the internet.  What is happening?!  **disclaimer: this post contains affiliate links.  And pictures of me in a bathing suit.  You can walk away now if you want to save yourself.

Patterns for Pirates is releasing swimsuit patterns today and I love them so much that I’m willing to share pictures of me in the suits.  This is how much I love Judy and her pattern drafting.  Damnit Judy.  Ha!

I actually made four complete sets of suits during testing.  I only photographed two because they’re the ones that were most like the final version.  We put the patterns through the rounds before calling it good and releasing it.  Trust me, it’s been well tested!  The pattern itself covers from an XXS – 3XPlus, and the top can be customized for an A – G cup.

Finally.  FINALLY.  I have a bathing suit that fits me!  My problem is that I am very leggy and I have big boobs.  I guess neither of those things really sounds like a problem, but in bathing suit talk it is.  Either the top doesn’t support or fit me, or my side-waist takes up so much of the length that it takes away from the support I need up top.  It’s a hell of a mess trying to bathing suit shop.  I generally just pick whatever doesn’t make me feel like complete shit and call it good.

NOT ANYMORE!

This first version is the solid bottoms (with an inch heigh adjustment, since I measure 2″ over the average side waist measurement).  And the top is the cross-straps with the front and back straight flounces, cut at a 6″ length to accommodate for my bust.

Can we praise the flounces for a hot minute?!  First.  They are in style right now.  And super flirty. And I love them.  But the most important part: BACK FAT COVERAGE.  My [swimsuit] life has been made.

Testing for a swimsuit has been a very eye opening experience.  We have women in sizes ranging from XXS to 3XPlus testing this at the same time.  And guess what?  EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US was fretting a bit about sewing a bathing suit and sharing pictures of ourselves in it.  Every one of us.  Body issues exist from the smallest size to the higher end ones and everything in between.  It’s kind of sad to realize.  I know I suffer from a lot of self-body shaming.  We all do.  But we all need to be kinder to our bodies.  And to ourselves.

The beauty of it all was that we spent several weeks posting pictures (sometimes unflattering ones…that’s part of the testing process!) of ourselves in these suits and there was not a single hint of negativity from anyone in there.  We were women, basically baring it all to each other, and we gave and heard nothing but support from each other.  It was such a beautiful thing.

None of us wanted to post photos when we were first signing up for testing.  And by the end, we were all chomping at the bit for the release date so we could share our pictures with the world.  I didn’t think I would even share my pictures on here.  But here I am.  It’s been an amazing experience.

So maybe I can’t be so mad at Judy. 😉

Okay!  So let’s talk about my other suit!!

This style screams for an Americana look.  Plus, summertime makes me want to dress in red/white/blue and eat a bunch of watermelon.  That’s normal, right?

I made the paneled bottoms, again adjusting the height.  And the top is with a pointed front flounce, straight back flounce, and standard straps.  I LOVE THIS SUIT.

I don’t have a cool floppy hat like a lot of the testers were wearing, so I tried to accessorize with  my dorky wooden glasses.  When you’re basically naked, you still feel like you should be wearing an accessory or two.  So this was as good as it got with me.

To continue with the most long-winded pattern release blogpost ever, I have to tell you about my photo taking experience.

I was already a little nervous about photos.  I take pictures myself, with a tripod and remote.  It’s easier than asking Bennett to take the pictures for me because I can take as long as I want, be super dorky without judgement or snark, and try new poses and such.  Plus, I just like not having to rely on someone.  Even though Bennett is a photographer, haha.  It’s just easier.

I’ve been caught a few times taking photos of myself in my driveway by the UPS or USPS drivers.  Which is embarrassing when you’re fully clothed.  So I tried to time my photos around when our deliveries usually happen, and waited around until the lawn crew left.

I creep outside.  Find the best shaded area for photos.  Start posing, clicking away……and my FATHER-IN-LAW comes driving up the driveway with someone in the car with him.  I was so far away from my door.  So far away from everything.  I seriously couldn’t run anywhere.

MORTIFIED.  I just stood there.  With my tripod and camera.  In a bathing suit.  Slowly dying inside.

But hey.  For Judy, I’d do anything apparently.  You should ask her what she had me do to “test” the swimsuit’s staying power.  Haha.  But that’s another storytime.

If you made it this far, you probably deserve a cookie.  Will you settle for an e-hug?  Run, don’t walk to the P4P site and pick up a copy of these patterns.  You will not regret it.

Siren Swim Top :: HERE  |  Hello Sailor Bottoms :: HERE
For this week only, if you use the code “swimbundle” for an additional $2 if you want to snag them both!  Which you will want to.  So you should just do it.

And since you’re all going to want to wear a hamburger on your buns just like me!
Hamurger | Red/White Stripe | Saphire Polka Dots