11 May 2011

If you're going to make a splash, MAKE A SPLASH!

It's swim lesson time.  Possibly my favorite time of year.  That and Christmas.  I get to sit poolside and watch my young flock learn the ways of the water.  Pearl and Divine are getting quite good.  I wish I could swim as well as they can.  My mom said when I was little it always looked like I was drowning when I swam.  I'm not sure much has changed.
So, my new obsession?  Sewing little girl's swimsuits!  Pearl's old swimsuit fit her around but not in the length.  I usually buy swimsuits the season before, but somehow didn't have a new one for Pearlie this year.
I was at the store and had one in my hands, but a) knew I had some material at home and b) couldn't bring myself to buying any of the hideous colors with their designs and logos. 
I went back and forth in my head for a couple of minutes while Clover sat in the cart dropping her shoes for the 27th time that trip, but it would be so easy just to buy something while I'm here, but you'll be mad every time you look at it, but there are so many other things you need to do, but...
I finally decided to put the swimsuit down and walk away.  I then forgot all about it until yesterday afternoon when I picked them up from school and remembered.  I whipped out the fabric, had Pearl try it on a couple times to make sure it was fitting okay and it was ready by the time swim lessons rolled around!
So quick and easy!  The only thing I would change is to line the front portion.  Not that it's see-through, but all the swimsuits I've purchased are lined in the front, and it gives it a more sturdy look, especially with the straps that both start in the middle.  Originally I was going to have it tie around her neck, but little girls are always moving, going, jumping in and out, so I sewed them to the back to really keep it up.
These were the baby dill tracks when I called them over to my chair.
Now I'm thinking of sewing a few more for all the other cute little bodies around here!  There was no time to do a tutorial for this one since I was pushing the clock to get it done, but if you want my tutorial from last year go here.

36 comments:

  1. What kind of fabric did you use? I would make myself a swimsuit but I've always balked at the lycra.

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  2. I love the suit! I wish I were sitting pool side while my kids learned to swim!

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  3. Audrey-it is lycra, but I don't know the percentage of the all the contents. this was a piece my mom sent me a couple of years ago, but please don't be scared of a little stretch! It's so fun to play with and when you're doing something as simple as a little girl's swimsuit, there aren't a whole lot of seams or curves you need to worry about. The key is to use a slight zig-zag stitch on the inside seams and use a double needle for the topstitching to give it a professional look and stretch.

    Jessica-come visit and my girls would love to entertain your boys in the pool! :)

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  4. Super cute! Many of the ones in the stores do leave something to be desired, don't they?!

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  5. Katy, I just showed Ann your new suit for Pearl, and she said, "I want a swimming suit like that!"

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  6. you can sew swimsuits?! well, i guess i knew it could be done, but WOW! great job, girlie! i'm impressed.

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  7. I am in love with the red polka dot, the v-straps, the side pony! Its all tooooooo cute!

    I want one!

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  8. Miss Katy please do a line of girls suits. This is perfectly fitting for a girl. So many of the suits today are loud and trashy. Lands End don't fit well and are too young looking. I love your ode to the past. Smiles..Renee

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  9. Pearl looks fabulous in her new suit. Again, you are amazing.

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  10. Katy, you really should have your own line of little girl clothes and I pomise I would buy everything you design! I happened to be in a store the other day and saw the display for little girl shirts....not even when she's thirty would I let her wear what I saw.
    Great suit!It reminds me of pictures I've seen from the 50's.

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  11. Amazing that you can just pull something together like that. I have to agree with you. Swimsuits after age 3 are pretty ug. I love the bandaid shot, by the way.

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  12. That is absolutely gorgeous! Love, love, love it!

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  13. I love how you can remember AFTER school, and still have it done in time for swimming lessons. Now that's talent, and it turned out super cute by the way, love the fabric.

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  14. Holy smokes! You made that? It's amazing!

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  15. Oh, I've totally wanted to see how hard it would be to make a swimsuit! I love the fabric you have for it! Darling cut:).

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  16. Glad you made one instead of a lame one from the store. :) It looks AWESOME! Love the pictures!! The attached straps look great. I can't wait for warm weather. :)

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  17. It is on my goal list to have made a little girls swimsuit before the summer is over! I even found a 50's pattern for a skirted girls swimwuit that I am in love with. Now all I need is some courage.

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  18. That is freakin' cute! Love it! I need to make a special made one for my 'specially made' body that no swimsuit in the store fits.

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  19. That suit is adorable. Great job!

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  20. L O V E it. if i had her little string bean body i would totally wear this :O) lucky girls!

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  21. Oh Katy! You give me courage. I don't know why I am timid to try things like this. For some reason sewing with Lycra makes me nervous. I can't believe you just whipped this up before swim lessons! Remarkable!

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  22. I love sewing swimsuits! This one looks adorable on your daughter!

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  23. This is so cute and SO much better than what's available in RTW. I have had such a time finding suits this year. I would be forever grateful if you found time for a tutorial for this!! :)

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  24. i've never tried sewing a swimsuit, i guess because it sounds intimidating?
    anyway, i really like the red w/white polka dot fabric & looks great next to the blue pool :)
    happy swimming

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  25. Adorable swimsuit! Hmmmm, maybe I'll look for lycra at the fabric store today... I'm a bit jealous that it's warm enough for outdoor swimming; still about a month until we can do that here!

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  26. oh, I love the fabric print and the pattern is absolutely stunning!

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  27. Cutest swimsuit on the planet...great wide straps. I'll take 4 please :)

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  28. Oh Katy, it's DARLING! Cool twist with the straps in the front.
    Great photos too!!

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  29. You could also make a 'splice' suit, out of the ones that are now too short - insert a middle strip/strips of contrasting fabric - it's a 15 min renov, and can give you another year out of a suit.

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  30. I HAVE TO make one for Abby this summer! Thanks for the inspiration! This red one is gorgeous and so appropriate for a little girl!

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  31. Fabulous! She looks ready for the French Riviera.

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  32. One in my size, please!?

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  33. love this katy. I'll have to try making suits next year for my girls. I just love the pics and the suit turned out so so pretty!

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  34. Beautiful job, Katy! What a precious little girl in it, too :)

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  35. That is adorable. I love it!

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