SwimAlong 2013: Kids Swimwear, inspiration and patterns

While I'm really excited about sewing up a swimsuit for myself, I started off sewing swimwear for kids. Sewing kids swimwear is awesome. Most kids have a pretty straight up and down shape, so fitting is minimal, and their suits take so little fabric that they're almost free. It's a great way to hone your skills before tackling a suit for a curvy grown up.

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Nevermind that the cuteness factor is OFF THE CHARTS. Seriously, how adorable is this little sweetheart??? You can get the pattern for her suit here and here, and one to match her 18 inch doll here.

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Here is an adorable tank style suit with some fun design extras. Flutter sleeve? Cute bow in back? Check and check! Get this pattern here.

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And of course, the entire Jalie swimwear line comes in children's sizes, all the way down to 2T. If you are a swim or exercise gear beginner, Jalie patterns have fabulous instructions and are full of great tips to make your sewing experience successful.

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Kwik Sew also offers a line of children's swimwear for both boys and girls. Their styles are classic and the patterns are well written and well drafted.

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Of course, we can't forget the accessories! How cute is this little swim cap! Get the pattern here, as well as a pattern for the matching ruched tankini here. Doesn't get any cuter than that.

Well, that gets our girls ready to hit the pool, but there is an unsurprising lack of good boy patterns for swimwear. I hunted down a few for you...

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This guy looks pretty darn thrilled with his Surf's Up board shorts! We like them, too. I particularly like that they include instructions for the mesh lining you see in RTW board shorts. Nice work Peek-a-boo Pattern shop! Pick this one up here. 

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Dana of Made also provided a great tutorial for a board shorts refashion. You can find it here. Instructions for the mesh lining are included here as well, although the diaper cover pattern she references is only up to a size 24 months. I think the Kitschy Coo Boy Cut Brief pattern would be a perfect substitution for the larger sizes - just use elastic in the legs instead of the bands. 

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Looking for a more streamlined fit? How about these great Euro Swim Trunks by Running with Scissors? Get the pattern here. 

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Of course, no discussion of kids clothing is complete without a mention of Ottobre Design.

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The issues in which you'll find swimwear are 02/2002, 02/2004, 03/2009 & 03/2011. Back issues are easily purchased from Ottobre directly. Click here.

SwimAlong 2013: SCUBA Chic

Swimwear as daywear? The Fall 2013 runways shows were awash (haha) with swimwear and SCUBA inspired pieces. SCUBA Chic is totally a thing, and I want to show it to you.

Image from lyst.com

I think this colorblocked suit from Michael Kors hits the trend for me. It's sold out everywhere, but that's why we sew...

Image from lyst.com

The trend is inspired by SCUBA gear, so you'll see sporty elements like chunky plastic zippers and heavyweight, matte fabrics. Seams are in curvy, body-con shapes that accentuate a feminine figure.

Image from bardotstylefile.com

Colorblocking is huge, and fabrics are generally in vibrant, saturated solid colors paired with black. The rare print is graphic with strong geometric shapes. You won't see frills or florals here.

Ready to make your own SCUBA inspired piece?

Why not start with Jalie 3135? This pattern is asking to be colorblocked, and the zipper is already there for you!

Don't fancy a zip? Vintage Kwik Sew 810 has the SCUBA style high neckline and is already princess seamed, so the colorblocking is easy! I found it on Etsy here.

Jalie 3134 is a modern option with front stripe panels and a sporty racerback.

To really get an accurate SCUBA look, you need a heavier, matte fabric that will look like the neoprene used in typical SCUBA gear.

My preference is a Milliskin spandex with a matte finish. Spandex World has an assortment of colors, including this on trend neon green!

Accessorize with zippers and belting! 

To get the look you want, you'll need a #5 molded plastic zipper. These can be tricky to source in colors, but black is readily available.

For your belt, start with flat nylon webbing.  Sewn on a plastic snap buckle and you are ready to hit the surf!

Now if only I could find these shoes in my size...

SwimAlong 2013: 1950s Vintage Swimwear

If I had to choose a favorite era for fashion and swimwear particularly, it would be the 50s. Curves were in and fashions really flattered them. Stretch fabrics were getting more and more common, so swimwear became much more body conscious (not to mention easier to get into and to swim in).

My first impulse when I think of 50s swimwear is the Pinup style suit - one piece with lots of torso ruching or other decorative interest, open neckline with wide straps or strapless and lower cut legs.

This image of Marilyn Monroe is a perfect example of the classic 50s look. Isn't she amazing? Fortunately, there are quite a few patterns and even free tutorials available for you to have your own "Pinup" style suit.

Burdastyle's Alison swimsuit pattern is a modern adaptation of this classic 50s style. Closet Case Files made an unbelievable version of this pattern, complete with full 50s backside coverage and ruching through the torso. Check it out here.

Not into patterns? Want to draft it yourself? The amazing and beautiful Amanda of Kitschy Coo put together a wonderful Pinup suit tutorial. It's worth a look-see even if you aren't interested in drafting your own pattern, as she goes through all of the sewing steps quite thoroughly.

But the 50s weren't all about Pinups!

Fit and Flare seeped into the swimwear world as well, with gorgeous, shapely swim dresses! Can you believe this princess seamed beauty from Advance? That neckline is divine.

Swim dresses came in "wiggle dress" form as well. This pretty number is available from Mrs. DePew Vintage as a download in a large range of bust sizes. The sweetheart neckline is flattering to many shapes.

But don't feel restricted to swimwear patterns. Lingerie patterns are easily adapted to swimwear, since they are often drafted with negative ease and sewn in stretch fabrics. This fabulous Ohhh Lulu Bodysuit would make an amazing 50s inspired swimsuit. The pattern includes a panty and bra pattern that would be a fabulous bikini as well.

The shapes of swimwear in the 1950s were really designed to flatter the feminine shape. I hope you've found something here to inspire, even if this era isn't your scene. Swimwear has come along way throughout the years! Come on in! The water's fine!

Inspiration

I love the Internet! I get so many great sewing ideas there! Flickr groups are amazing, and I get tons of ideas on Craftster. Take a look at my sidebar for some great blogs of sewing mamas who inspire me to create.

But today's post is about two of the amazing ladies who I know personally who inspire me to create. There are more, but I have pictures of these two. :-)

The first is my friend, Amanda. She made this adorable dress for Myra.
Isn't it cute?!? It is New Look 6576, but Amanda is the master of those cute little touches that make a garment one of a kind. I love these polka dot appliques!

The blue ribbons make me happy, too.

You can't see it in the pictures, but the hem is top stitched with two different colors of contrasting thread. Cute!! And the bloomers are the same colors as the dress, but reversed. I love it!!

And then there is my mother. She taught me everything I know about sewing (although not everything she knows!). She sent us these cute outfits for the kids.

A shirt and shorts for Logan. The shirt is made from some scraps of a blouse she made for herself. I think the fabric is awesome as a boy's shirt, although it is also a beautiful blouse. The outfit was made with Butterick 6030.

And then there is this absolutely ridiculously cute outfit for Myra. She got the fabric at a quilt show. How freaking adorable is that!! Here is what mom says about the construction, "The bodice of the dress is from Butterick 4009, ignoring their construction instructions, and, instead: construct the shell and lining each in toto, then attaching at the neck (not forgetting to understitch), then, adding a bound bias edge at the armscye. The skirt of the dress is 3.5 in wide strips of fabric, each of whose length is 2.5X greater than the bottom circumference of the tier above it. The hat is sort of from Butterick 6030, but I ignored the brim and substituted a ruffle. The shorts were from the bottom half of a McCall pattern for a romper that is so old it cost $0.35, and was copyrighted in 1976." You go, Mom.

Here are the kids modeling their new duds. For more photos, you can also see our family blog here.