Water Test
It took ten months, but I finally tried on my 1930's swimsuit and got it all wet to see how much it would sag when wet. Happily, the answer was "not much." The stitch pattern used a lot of slip stitches, which I'm sure is the reason for the success. I did not try wetting the skirt. It isn't actually attached to the main body of the suit so I assume that the original intent of the pattern makers was that it would be removed before swimming.
I didn't test how well it works when actually swimming around since I wanted to try it out in the privacy of my home, just in case it sagged disastrously, but I feel that I could wear it to a vintage pool or beach event without fear.
Since I actually put the whole thing on, I was going to take a couple of pictures, but I couldn't find my camera in its usual spot so I didn't.
The pattern doesn't actually tell you how to fasten the skirt. You leave buttonholes at each end of the skirt's waistband, but it doesn't tell you what goes through those holes. I had thought perhaps they meant for the straps to go through the holes, but the back of the suit is definitely too high for the skirt waist. I think I might look for a 1" blue button to hold it closed with. In the meantime, I could use a short length of blue ribbon.
I didn't test how well it works when actually swimming around since I wanted to try it out in the privacy of my home, just in case it sagged disastrously, but I feel that I could wear it to a vintage pool or beach event without fear.
Since I actually put the whole thing on, I was going to take a couple of pictures, but I couldn't find my camera in its usual spot so I didn't.
The pattern doesn't actually tell you how to fasten the skirt. You leave buttonholes at each end of the skirt's waistband, but it doesn't tell you what goes through those holes. I had thought perhaps they meant for the straps to go through the holes, but the back of the suit is definitely too high for the skirt waist. I think I might look for a 1" blue button to hold it closed with. In the meantime, I could use a short length of blue ribbon.