Curation + Inspiration

Vintage Swimwear by Jill Salen

Jill Salen, a freelance costume maker and lecturer
at the Royal Welsch College of Music and Drama,
has already tackled Corsets and Lingerie as topics.

In her new book, Vintage Swimwear,
she takes us on a journey through 130 years of swimwear,
from the modest garments of the 1880s through the bikinis of the 1970s.

The book includes more than 25 historically accurate and annotated patterns,
two of which include complete step-by-step sewing instructions.

Interestingly, the swimsuits featured in the book were held by museums
that would not allow Jill to touch the garments,
so she developed the patterns by sight,
holding measuring tapes up to and alongside the garments.

But the book doesn’t only contain patterns.
I discovered some fascinating tidbits of information.
For instance, did you know that as late as 1964
the Vatican banned bikinis in Catholic countries?

Fashion historians, fashion students, dressmakers
and costume designers will find the book invaluable.

And if you don’t sew, like moi, it’s a simple recipe:
Take one copy of the book,
add a punchy fabric,
mix in one talented seamstress
and voila!

You’ve got your own one-of-a-kind version of the cover suit!

Available at Amazon.

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY: To receive a free copy of Vintage Swimwear,
tweet this post with hashtag #vpod OR send an email with GIVEAWAY in the subject line
to mkincaid@zuburbia by Friday, Feb. 21 at noon PST. One winner will be chosen.
(Your email will be deleted after the contest ends
and you will NOT be added to any type of mailing list.)

(To receive the VPOD via email along with detailed size, price and purchase information, sign up for my growing email list here. Your information will never be sold or shared and you can easily unsubscribe at any time. | Disclosure: Zuburbia is an Amazon affiliate and received a review copy of this book.)