This seems really complicated but isn't. I'd love to make another one out of another fabric. It's really comfortable to wear, too, and very supportive.
The Pinspiration is from Athleta (I assume that link will die over time, but still worth trying to give credit).
The top is princess seamed, lightly lined at top, slight v-neck, hip length, thickish straps in front
The back has much thinner straps with adjusters a crossover design with cutouts, and a hook. Note the smooth, not bound, design. The front looks like the bottom is fitted (enough it will stay up when you push it) yet the back looks loose.
I don't know that it's worth trying to duplicate exactly but I saw how I could do this from patterns I have on hand.
George & Ginger Pattern Company released 2 bralette patterns earlier this year called Switch It Up. One has multiple front designs and the other has multiple back designs. They aren't really meant to be used together but you can hack (as I have in the past, 2 ).
From the front, view I has the same straps and a similar shape although it's not a v shape.
From the back collection
I can take the skirt from 5 Out of 4 Laura. It has the gap underneath the connector. It does have more flair, but that can be adjusted later.
I had a lot of fabric left over from the other swim top I made as well as the black swim for lining and some tech sheen for support.
Modifications:
SIU view I:
- added 1/2" to the bottom (basically a cup and a half)
- raised the top 1/4" at the center only.
SIU view P:
- added 1/4" seam allowance to all areas intended to be bound on the original.
- cut bottom band as 2 pieces instead of 1 folded over
- did not do, and should have: lengthened bottom band (in order to add hook connector
Laura skirt:
- only cut the back dip down after doing top. It didn't need to be as wide.
- haven't yet, but may, trim down the sides to make more a-line and less swing
Construction:
- Basted tech sheen to lining for front only
- Sewed front panels together, lining panels together
- Sewed back pieces (2 each layer) to matching front pieces at shoulder
- Placed lining and main right sides facing. Sewed arms, pieces that go from side to bottom back, and from side up around neck and down to other side back. For all but the neck, serged not cutting anything off and added rubber 1/4" elastic 1:1 to the main fabric. For front, serged first, then zigzaged elastic around, mitering at front corners.
- turned right side out by pulling back pieces through the shoulder straps
- opened out side seams, basted back to front lining.
- basted and then sewed side seems, encapsulating back pieces between main and lining
- applied bottom band, sandwiching bodice between lining and main.
- Zigzagged 3/4" swim as described in Laura but left a bunch extra (at this point I discovered my bands should have been made a lot longer.)
- Prepared skirt as described in Laura (added 1/4" elastic and top stitched)
- Sewed skirt on, carefully matching opening to top.
- Zigzagged 1/4" elastic around that seam, and top stitched (no other topstitching)
Then I had to add more fabric to add the hook :(
What I would do differently:
- Not add as much to the back in length. You don't really need to for it to be parallel
- Make the band only about 3/4-1" instead of 2"
- Maybe have the band be invisible underneath the skirt.
- Not sew the open side of the clip on the first time so I had to remove it all. (SIGH)
Edit: I made a video to explain in a bit more detail:
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