There is something so satisfying (and gratifying!) about sewing a swimming suit. For one, you can make something that uniquely suits your child.
Lately Tarikua has had a thing for zebras. We want to encourage a family-wide love for all things Ethiopia, so while I am not normally a fan of animal prints, I made an exception for this swimming suit.
It was totally worth it. She absolutely loves it!
I bought the zebra fabric here at the Fabric Fairy. I bought the material for these swimsuits there as well. I was really happy with their fabric! All three felt durable, though I can't yet attest to how they will hold up long-term.
I added a ruffle in the front and color-blocked the back in watermelon.
For Indigo's second swimsuit, I chose View A with the ruched center panel.
I bought the peacock colored fabric here and the watermelon colored fabric here. FYI - that second swatch is not a good representation of the actual color. Ordering online is such a mixed bag! I find that oftentimes the online swatches looks significantly different than the real-life version. Anytime I get a "Why did I order this?" feeling when I receive fabric in the mail, I look back at the online swatch and almost always it was a misrepresentation of the fabric color. But in this case, it worked out for the best because I actually like this color better than the online swatch.
Another strange thing with this fabric is that even though the website said the peacock and watermelon fabrics were the same weight, the peacock felt sturdy and substantial, whereas the watermelon felt delicate and light. It's the softest fabric - just amazing to touch, but also looks like it might snag easily. I'll be very curious to see how they hold up, particularly the watermelon.
I was so happy with this suit and the fit was really great. Indigo loves it, too!
I sewed all of my girls' swimming suits with the halter straps. My older girls love it and Iris is able to put it on by herself. She always ends up getting tangled up in swimming suits where the straps cross in the back. With this swimsuit, it's so cute to watch her pull the previously tied halter straps over her head. They're stretchy enough that it works, too.
I sewed all of these swimming suits on my sewing machine, not my serger. I haven't had much success sewing knits with my serger. I prefer to use my sewing machine. I like to sew all of my seams with a longer stitch first (size 3.5ish), then I test for fit, and later go back over the seams with my machine's stretch stitch. You could also use a zigzag stitch.
When I added the elastic, I found it essential to baste it in place using a long straight stitch before turning it to finish my hems. I kept the elastic inside the fabric by 1/8" or so, just to be sure that the elastic was completely encased by the fabric when I turned it in.
My friend Inder gave me the tip to stretch the elastic more around the back (booty) leg openings. That resulted in a really great fit in the back.
After using both regular elastic and cotton swimwear elastic, I found I prefer the swimwear elastic. Mostly because it felt softer and thinner. With the regular elastic, I was having some trouble with my double needle skipping stitches while topstitching, maybe because of the thickness. My topstitching went smoother with the cotton swimwear elastic. I also found it helpful to use a long stitch when topstiching (4.0-4.5) because otherwise the thickness of the elastic + swim fabric made the regular sized stitches teeny tiny.
After I topstitched the swimsuit top and leg openings, I found it helpful to press the elastic areas, covering them with a pressing cloth. They usually got stretched out during sewing and this helped them look normal again.
This swimsuit came out a little big. It surprised me because I made it in the same way as I made the zebra version above which fit perfectly. I think the difference was due to the stretch of the lycra. But it's okay, she'll grow into it. :)
I love the charm of the leg frills - one of the 7 pattern options! This one is View C and I bought the fabric here.
These swimsuits don't require much fabric at all. I have quite a lot left over of the watercolor abstract (Iris' fabric here), the yellow stripe, and the zebra print. If you are interested in making a swimsuit in any of these three fabrics, I'd be happy to mail one of them to you on a first come-first serve basis. Just leave me your email address in the comments and tell me which one you'd like (unless the account you're commenting from links to your email address).
During the Cosi pattern tour (July 7-18), Suz is offering a 15% discount on the Cosi pattern with the coupon code: COSITOUR15 . That means you can get the pattern for under $7! Which I would highly recommend, because I really, really love this pattern!
adorable! you're a pro!! i'm a huuuuge fan of the zebra suit and indigo's solid colorblocked suit. i'd definitely take the indigo abstract print off your hands for ya if you're offering! ;)
ReplyDeleteLove them all Rachel!! Thanks for all your helpful tips too!! Your daughters look gorgeous!! Glad you love the pattern!!
ReplyDeletethese are awesome, all of them! you're on a roll! i am totally inspired by all this swimsuit sewing :)
ReplyDeleteWow, I love them all.. All 5. Inspiring!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much!
Deleteso so so fantastic!! wow!! I don't think I would be brave enough to try this pattern !! yours are so gorgeous!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the great tips, I will be buying this pattern, come summer
ReplyDeleteOh great, Nicole! I can't wait to see what you make! :)
DeleteAll of your makes are inspirational, but your detailed tips here are particularly helpful. Would love to take a shot with the yellow and white stripes, since you're offering. Thanks so much for your generosity! jayatridas at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteLove love love Tia's zebra ones! Soo cute!! You've done an amazing job making these! So professional looking and I love how unique they are! Your girls will be the coolest kids at the pools!! :)
ReplyDeletelove them so much! after seeing everyone in the us sewing swimsuits lately i really want to join in but it's FREEZING here at the moment!!! great job :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for all the tips, Rachel! You are amazing!
ReplyDeleteAs your serger my sewing machine doesn't deal well with stretchy fabrics... It is so annoying!
I am a lot more "classic" that most of your readers so, even if I loved Tia's zebra swimsuit, the yellow striped fabric would be the one I would pick to sew a new swimsuit for my daughters.
You are lucky to have such a great choice of lycra in your stores! In Portugal all I can find are solid colors...
Your girls and those swimsuits are so beautiful - and suit each of them so perfectly. Sigh... no little girls to sew for here :)
ReplyDeleteYou guys will have to spend the rest of summer by the pool :) Fabulous swimsuits :) Thanks for the tips!
ReplyDeleteI have never attempted a swimming suit before, but yours are all so beautiful I'm buying the Cosi pattern now. I especially like Indigo's color block suit. If you have any of the watermelon left, I'd love to try it out. Thanks for the offer and the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteCallie
Thanks, Callie! I'd love to send it to you. Could you leave me your email address? I don't see it linked anywhere here. Or email me at rdkovac@satx.rr.com :)
DeleteWill be buying that swim suit pattern. I hate all the store bought ones, so not little girl-ish. Thanks for sharing all your tips and tricks!
ReplyDeleteOh. My. Goodness. I don't know which I love most! Zebra! Ruching! Zebra! YELLOW stripes! ACK!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you found that little tip helpful. I swear I did not make it up! It works, right? I think the basic concept is that you need a bit more stretch and tug in the curvier areas of the body, less on flatter areas. It makes a certain amount of sense, and helps avoid baggy butt.
I love your ruched version so much, and it makes me want to try it again on Maggie, but in the right size, to get that gorgeous flat ruching. So incredibly classic and lovely.
That zebra one is so coooool! I'd definitely buy it if it hung in the shops, I love it! Super.
ReplyDeleteI just love your fabric/color choices!! (of course I always do!)
ReplyDeleteAnd three more stunning swimsuits to the add to the mix - your girls are going to be the best dressed ones at the local pool!:) While I love the yellow and striped fabric probably the best, I like Indigo's suit the best with the awesome color blocking. You have such a good eye for color pairing - those two look fabulous together. I also love how you take the time to share sewing tips/tricks with your readers here, as that truly is the best way to learn from others' experience. Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge!
ReplyDeleteAmazing, love all 5, off to buy the pattern now ;)
ReplyDeleteYou make it look so easy!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful swimsuits on stunning girls. Well done!!!
ReplyDeleteWonderful sewing Rachel. the girls look gorgeous and while I'm also freezing through winter, the kids do go to the pool and I'm really thinking I'll have to have this pattern. I've got a good lycra source locally but just wanted to say how lovely you are passing on the extras.
ReplyDeleteWow- five suits! And all so lovely! Maybe next summer I'll give this pattern a try. There are just so many fantastic patterns out there to try.
ReplyDeleteLOVE! I've got some new ideas for this suit now thank you! And seriously, has no one claimed that zebra print? really? Cuase I'm all over that!!!
ReplyDeleteOh, and any further tips on how you finished the 'booty' part of the elastic? I hate hate hate saggy butts on little girl suits. Your friend sounds like she passed on a great tip. Any details would be greatly appreciated! kristielynmorris@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteEek! So much cuteness, so little time! My girls would die for that zebra print one and I love the solid colors with the ruching. It looks so clean and modern! You are on a roll!
ReplyDeletegggggggggg
ReplyDeleteOkay, Rachel, I'm studying your Cosi swimsuits trying to decide which one to make Maggie next! I am IN LOVE with your Zebra printed one, and I'm thinking I will make that in little hearts with a pink ruffle for Maggie. Any thoughts on that ruffle? Do you remember if it was just a little straight strip or was it cut on the bias?
ReplyDelete