making a swimsuit

Back in January I decided I was done wearing ill-fitting, unflattering, store-bought swimsuits.  I can sew so I figured it would be easy enough to make my own even though I'm a little intimidated by sewing with knit/stretch fabric.  I ordered swimsuit fabric from fabric.com.  (Not a lot to choose from in January but I did find a cute floral print that was inexpensive so it won't be too tragic if I ruin it.)  I pulled out the patterns I purchased a few years ago.  I pinned some inspiration suits.  I posted my plans on my Facebook and told everybody at work I was making a swimsuit.  Then I did nothing for 4 months.  Typical me.  People at work started asking how the swimsuit was coming along.  Umm, it wasn't. Fortunately, I found out about Rikka's "I Will Wear it in Public" sewing challenge which was just the motivation I needed. (Unfortunately, it's already May 14 so I'm running out of time!)  I am using a swimsuit pattern--McCall's 5400--and the top middle view (white suit) is my starting point:

I'm using the pattern to get the basic shape of the suit right but I'm making a lot of modifications to the swimsuit top.  I want a more "retro" suit so I'm adding gathers along the sides.  I'll also make the top longer so there's more coverage and maybe add a ruffle to the bottom.  I don't think I'll add the tie on the front but maybe some sort of gathering instead?  I made a trial pair of bottoms a few weeks ago and realized I need to line the entire suit even though the pattern didn't say to.  If I don't, I won't be able to wear it in public!