As I don't really need much at the moment to enhance my stash, I was quite restrained. One thing I couldn't turn down though, was a 1m remnant of this swim lycra.
I've not had a lot of luck this year with swimwear sewing, which I'll share later, so decided to start again with something simple and make Adele a new cosi.
The pattern I used is a vintage Kwik Sew pattern, 6573, that I picked up from the Op Shop many moons ago. It doesn't even have an envelop. Someone has torn the page from the Kwik Sew catalogue and taped it up to hold the pattern.
I made Adele a size 4 and the length is fine, but it is a little wide. After my mammoth journey last year to make nice swimmers for myself, I was quite surprised at how easy and enjoyable this was to make. I suspect Adele will have a matching rash shirt shortly.
Now the sad start to my own swimwear sewing this summer is that I ruined a delightful remnant of swim fabric that was gifted to me by Kirsty. I could cry!
I thought if I used the same pattern as my last suit I would be fine. I thought if I trialed adding piping and it worked, I would be fine. I thought I was very safely and carefully utilising this remnant, but I was wrong. I just couldn't fight the bulk that the flat piping added to the seams, even when I top stitched them down. I'm hoping I can salvage this fabric and perhaps make a colour blocked swimsuit. Hopefully!
so cute! love the tulle skirt. Can we talk swimwear elastic?? Do you use the rubber stuff? Sometimes my needle seems to split the elastic as I sew it. I'm having a hard time finding woven swimwear elastic here in Qld. ps I think a colour blocked suit would look great with that fabric! good luck :)
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love the tulle skirt! I can tell she loves it.
ReplyDeleteThat is such a gorgeous swimming costume for a little girl, darling.
ReplyDeleteI hear you about grown up swimmers though, I am still wresting with being able to sew these so they look like the ones in my imagination. Good luck with your rescue mission.
Adele's togs are so cute. I really hope you can salvage that fabric, I just love it - it would have looked pretty awesome if the piping had worked.
ReplyDeleteHi Rebecca, I use the rubber stuff. I use a regular janome blue tip needle and haven't had any problems with the elastic splitting. I triple zig zag it on, then turn it under and cover stitch it. I find it is easier to work with 8mm elastic. The 6mm stuff is too thin. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI'm trying not to think about the rescue mission, but have just made a successful wearable toile of a new pattern. Just in time for pool weather tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteWe've got twinnies. My littlest one still gets around in her version of these almost daily. Identical bathers. She insists on wearing them as underwear when I insist she put on warmer clothes, so they get washed almost daily too. That lycra is so pretty and amazingly tough - a year on, faded but still going strong. I love your bathers too. I still regret never picking up that amazing fabric.
ReplyDeleteOh. I hope you do work this conundrum out. I like your idea and now that you've made a fab pair for Adele (super cute) you might come up with an idea to make your swimsuit work. Fingers crossed for you!!
ReplyDeleteOh I so hope you can salvage your suit fabric. That is my all time fabric swimwear lycra design. I was soooo sad to miss it. And Adele looks gorgeous in her cossie!
ReplyDeleteThis is adorable! Adele has so much personality and looks pleased as punch to be wearing her new suit!
ReplyDeleteThe tulle is so cute, any little girl would adore it.
ReplyDeleteadorable! and I hope you can selvedge your own gorgeous suit, that fabric is amazing.
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