Lesson 1Fiber types an' blends fi swimwear (polyamide/nylon, polyester, elastane/Spandex)Understand key swimwear fibers an' blends, includin' nylon, polyester, an' elastane. Compare stretch, strength, UV an' chlorine resistance, dryin' time, an' hand feel so yuh can pick blends weh match bikini style, support needs, an' budget wid Jamaican flair.
Properties of nylon an' polyamide swim fabricsPolyester blends an' chlorine resistanceRole of elastane an' Spandex inna stretchBalancin' fiber content, support, an' drapeReadin' an' interpretin' fiber labelsLesson 2Fabric care, chlorine/salt/sunscreen resistance, an' testin' protocols fi durabilityExplore how chlorine, saltwater, heat, an' sunscreen degrade swim fabrics an' elastics. Learn care labels, rinse routines, an' simple home tests fi compare colorfastness, pilling, fiber breakdown, an' elastic fatigue fi long-lastin' bikinis inna di islands.
Chlorine, salt, UV, an' sunscreen damage mechanismsHome tests fi colorfastness an' dye crockin'Assessin' pilling, snaggin', an' surface wearCheckin' elastic fatigue an' fabric baggin'Designin' a simple wear an' wash test planLesson 3Other notions: swim-specific threads, coatings, stabilizers, glues, an' hardware selectionReview swim-specific notions includin' polyester threads, textured threads, elastic stabilizers, seam tapes, adhesives, an' rust-resistant hardware. Learn how each support stretch seams, strap security, an' long-term bikini performance fi Jamaican beach vibes.
Selectin' swim-safe threads an' needlesElastic stabilizers fi straps an' openingsUsin' seam tapes an' clear elastic wiselyAdhesives an' glues fi temporary holdin'Rust-resistant rings, sliders, an' closuresLesson 4Swimwear linings an' power meshes: functions an' compatible pairingsDiscover how linings an' power meshes add modesty, support, an' comfort inna bikinis. Learn opacity levels, stretch compatibility, an' placement strategies so outer fabric, lining, an' mesh work together widout twistin', bubblin', or rollin' fi perfect island fit.
Choosin' lining weights an' opacity levelsMatchin' stretch an' recovery wid shell fabricUsin' power mesh fi targeted support zonesFully lined vs partial lining strategiesPreventin' twistin', bubblin', an' rollin'Lesson 5Weight, GSM, hand, an' opacity considerations fi bikinisLearn how fabric weight, GSM, hand, an' opacity influence coverage, support, an' drape inna bikinis. Practice evaluatin' samples against lining choices fi avoid see-through areas, saggin', or stiffness inna wet an' dry conditions fi Jamaican swim.
Understandin' GSM an' fabric weight rangesEvaluatin' hand, drape, an' surface sheenCheckin' opacity inna dry an' wet conditionsPairin' shell fabrics wid suitable liningsBalancin' support, comfort, an' movementLesson 6Fabric constructions: knit types (tricot, warp knit, circular knit) an' dem propertiesExamine common swim knit constructions such as tricot, warp knits, an' circular knits. Learn how structure influence curl, snag resistance, stretch balance, drape, an' print clarity so yuh can match fabric type to bikini design details fi island style.
Identifin' tricot an' warp knit structuresCircular knits an' dem drape inna bikinisCurlin', laddering, an' snag resistanceStretch balance an' grain stabilityChoosin' knits fi prints an' solid colorsLesson 7Directional stretch: crosswise vs lengthwise stretch an' assessin' recoveryLearn fi identify crosswise an' lengthwise stretch inna swim knits, measure percentage stretch, an' assess recovery. Understand how stretch direction affect pattern layout, negative ease, support, an' long-term fit stability inna bikinis fi Jamaican bodies.
Findin' grainline an' greatest stretch directionMeasurin' stretch percentage wid a ruler testTestin' fabric recovery an' growth over timeAlignin' pattern pieces wid stretch directionBalancin' negative ease fi comfort an' supportLesson 8Swim elastics: types (soft fold-over, picot, narrow swim elastic, braided), widths, an' edge behaviorStudy different swim elastics, includin' rubber an' braided types, fold-over, an' picot. Compare widths, stretch strength, an' edge behavior so leg, waist, an' neckline openings stay secure, comfortable, an' smooth against di body inna di Caribbean sun.
Rubber vs braided swim elastic propertiesChoosin' elastic width fi each bikini edgeFold-over elastic fi clean finished edgesManagin' picot elastic on curves an' cornersTestin' elastic stretch an' recovery by hand