Our week at the beach was a perfect place to capture my little girls in their new swimsuits. I didn't wait for the lovely evening light as I wanted to get pictures before the swimsuits were drenched in salt water, sand, and chlorine. Chlorine, you ask? Yes, the house we were staying in had not one, but two pools. I used to think that having a pool at the beach was frivolous but after experiencing it when BK was a baby, I'm convinced it's the way to go. Little kids (and sometimes big kids!) get fed up with the sand, crashing waves, and sea life (jellyfish). Having a pool means plenty of water time and is also a great way to "wash" off the salt water after some time spent down by the ocean.;)
Pattern: Kwik Sew 3998, view C
Size: XS with added length in the bodice
Fabric: Nylon/Lycra print (not available on the website) and Yellow nylon/lycra solid, both from Hancock Fabrics and white swimsuit lining fabric
Mods: Left off the bows (no time!) and added an inch of length in both the front and back bodice
Pattern: Ottobre Design summer 2009 #39, "Gilda Bikini"
Size: 122
Fabric: same as the Kwik Sew swimsuit
The girls had chosen the fabrics on a trip earlier in the summer to Hancock Fabrics. When it came time for me to sew them new swimsuits, I laid out all the swimsuit fabric and patterns I had and let them choose what they wanted.
MG chose a new pattern from Kwik Sew. The pattern sheets for Kwik Sew patterns are no longer printed on paper but a white medium that is a slightly heavier weight than the tan tissue paper that the Big 4 pattern companies use. I highly recommend trying a Kwik Sew pattern if you're new to sewing swimsuits. Though, I miss the paper pattern sheet!
BK wanted the Gilda Bikini from Ottobre Design. She's not quite in a 122 which is the smallest size it comes in, so her swimsuit is a little big. Still functional but the bottoms especially start to sag a bit after hours playing in the water. This was my second time sewing this swimsuit.
BK also got a rash guard...
Pattern: Ottobre Design, spring 2006, #17
Size: 104, 122 length
Fabric: same as the swimsuits
Mods: Instead of binding the neckline, I cut a piece of fabric 2 inches wide and the same length as what was needed for the neckline binding. Stitched the short ends together to form a circle. Then, I folded that in half, wrong sides together and stitched it the neckline. That gave it the same appearance at the neck of Dad's rash guard...
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| picture taken by my talented niece, Heather Meinen ,who is a professional photographer |
Though I made sure that the neckline wasn't as snug as a true rash guard since BK is prone to complain about clothing that is tight around the neck.
The swimsuits got quite the work out while we stayed at the beach:
They also made it into the Atlantic Ocean but you'll have to wait to see that picture.;)
