We’re getting ready for a little mini vacay up to Venice Beach FL this Friday so I’ve been sewing up beach gear like a crazy person for the past few weeks! First up are Ami’s new & much needed swim outfits- she just had a 2″ growth spurt! This was my first try sewing swimwear of any kind and I’m really happy with how they turned out. So adorable :)
We’re in Florida so I’m really big on the kids having lots of sun protection- so no skimpy swimsuits here. We go for full coverage so I don’t need to use as much sunscreen (We use Badger) plus nice wide brim hats! I used the Girl’s Skater pattern from Kitschy Coo in 3T/4T as my base to create these swim looks. The first rashguard I altered the pattern to raise the neckline and add a collar as well as shortening the skirt to make a peplum top. I then used a pair of Ami’s leggings to make a pattern for these leggings and added a waist and ankle bands in the fabric from the top. The second set is just the top of the little girls skater pattern altered again at the collar. I then used the skirt to draft up a skirted bottom(shortened) with attached swim underwear.
These were really quick sews and the fabric was quite easy to manipulate. I used the serger for most of my construction which helped speed things along. My fabric is all from The Fabric Fairy and is a nylon lycra mix. .Watercolor Stripes & Fluorescent Colorblock Swimsuit Fabric, Fuchsia/Peach Colorway are the main fabrics and I used a hot pink solid for the leggings. I love that you can order in 1/2yd increments from the website. Swimwear takes up so little fabric- so this is perfect for adding an accent color! Ami helped pick everything out- I directed slightly- so everything mixes & matches together. Plus they all go with her current Coolibar swim set which is in the same pink/orange color scheme.
The best part- My daughter loves them! She was so excited to wear all her new gear to the beach last week. Plus her cousin has now requested a set too! Of course she’s 6 and wants pink and purple leopard print with a star!
These pics above are Ami posing for me- trying to be like mama-LOL!
I also just made myself two new swim looks-a floral rashguard (using the Lady Skater) and matching 2 piece set and a tankini in a geometric print plus a new beach skirt that I’ll be blogging about soon! You’ll see them sooner if you’re following me for Me Made May on Flickr or Facebook since I’ll be wearing them this weekend :)
Adorable!
Thanks Annie!
Oh, how very cute! And what a good idea too. Of course, we wouldn’t have much need of that over here. My daughter actually asked where in the pictures the swimsuit was :-)
I love it, nice colors, and very girly!
Herzliche Grüße,
rebecca
Thanks Rebecca! We never needed to cover up much when I lived up north. When I lived in Wisconsin in my twenties my skin was so pale I practically glowed in the dark! Totally different lifestyle here in FL. I love how these turned out :)