Kwik Sew's Swim & Action Wear (Paperback)

by Kerstin Martensson (Author) "All of the patterns included in this book are designed for two-way stretch fabrics with Lycra spandex..." (more)
Key Phrases: Use Master, Wide Selvage

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Master Pattern Included

Sewing swim and action wear will be easy and fun with this book. You can create a one-of-a-kind garment and select the style that looks the best on you. The Master Pattern in this book includes a variety of swimsuits, leotards, leggings and shorts. Many variations are included for one and two piece swimsuits, action wear for biking, gymnastics, aerobics, dancing and skating. With your creativity an endless variety of styles can be made.

The sewing procedures are easy to follow with many clear illustrations, that even a beginner sewer can follow and be able to make professio nal looking garments.

Making your own swimwear and action wear is much easier and faster than you can imagine and you will also save a lot of money, since each outfit takes a minimum amount of fabric. A large variety of fabrics for swim and action wear are available in most fabric stores, many of the same fabrics as used in ready-to-wear.

The multi-sized master pattern is printed on durable white paper with colour coded lines for each size. The patterns are printed on both sides of the paper so we could include as many sizes and designs as possible. Trace the patterns using tracing paper or tracing cloth made of transparent pressed fibers.

All of the master pattern pieces include 1/4? (6 mm) seam allowances. This is the best seam allowance to use when sewing swim and action wear. You can use a regular sewing machine or a serger/overlock machine.

The master pattern includes five sizes from extra small to extra large. Patterns are made to fit specific body measurements. Before you trace the pattern, choose the size by comparing your measurements to the measurement chart. Choose the size closest to your bust, waist and hip measurements. If in-between sizes, choose the larger size. The book gives instruction for making changes on the pattern for the proper fit.

This book has easy-to-follow sewing instructions with clear illustrations and time saving techniques for even the beginning sewer. All styles and creative ideas are shown throughout the book in full colour photographs.


About the Author
Kerstin Martensson, President of KWIK?SEW Pattern Company, Inc., is internationally known as a sewing expert. Born in Gothenburg, Sweden and educated in both Sweden and England where she specialized in clothing construction, pattern design and fashion.

Kerstin founded KWIK?SEW Pattern Company, Inc. in 1967 to make patterns for stretch fabric. Today KWIK?SEW sells over 850 patterns for all types of fabric. Kerstin Martensson has written many sewing instruction books.

The company has grown world-wide with subsidiaries in Australia, Canada and New Zealand, plus dealers in many other countries.

This tremendous growth of KWIK?SEW is primarily because Kerstin adapted quick, labor saving sewing techniques from ready-to-wear manufacturers. Using these short-cuts, a home sewer could construct a professional finished garment in a fraction of the time it previously took.

Kerstin has traveled extensively throughout North America, Pacific Rim, and Europe lecturing on her techniques to make sewing faster, easier and more fun.

Encouraged by customers' overwhelming acceptance, Kerstin continues to bring the most up-to-date fashion and sewing techniques to the home sewer. The books are easy-to-follow, with step-by-step procedures, many illustrations and colour photography.

Product Details

• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: Kwik-Sew Pattern Co (May 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0913212180
• ISBN-13: 978-0913212189
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #113,640 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very helpful., October 14, 2005

By	Jayne Doherty (The Jersey Shore) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I found this book extremely helpful. I haven't sewn in years and started back sewing ice skating costumes with spandex. Spandex can be difficult to work with if you don't know what you are doing. This book really helped me get up to speed quickly. I would recommend it for anyone who is sewing with spandex.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ballroom Gowns and Lycra, August 19, 2006

By	Reed Andwright "Speed" (Florida, USA) - See all my reviews

This book is very helpful. It comes with an adjustable basic pattern and several design alterations. I'd buy it again.

5.0 out of 5 stars Answered all my questions!, June 13, 2009

By	T. McCann "Love to Sew" (Phoenix, Az) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have been making costumes for over 15 years and have always avoided a leotard. I am confident that with these instructions that are very easy to follow I will have no problems in getting the perfect fit.