It's that most magical time of year- the time for burned skin, dehydration, and boob sweat. It's SUMMER! Now I realize many of you have not yet been graced by the presence of the heat, but in the desert where I dwell, we are in full "gimme a popsicle and a fan" weather. With all the misery that comes with the heat, there's a reprieve...SWIMMING! Heck yes. Our primal instinct to dip our bodies in water is what keeps me alive in the hot months. I'm just glad we've all gone a little non-primal and wear clothes now. I'm so excited to put my bathing suit on and pretty much live in it for 6 months. Unfortunately, my suit from last year was a bit janky. Enter the "Suit Up for Summer Tour" and my reason to make myself one. Yay!
This is the first time I've ever made swimwear and what I should have done was follow a simple pattern. What I did...hacked a suit into existence. WHYYYYY?!?! It turned out cute though, so I ain't mad, homey. I chose to join the Hello Sailor Swim Bottoms and Simplicity 8342 in holy matri-sew-ny (har har har).. It wasn't as easy as I had hoped because of the way the top is constructed. Should have checked that shiz out first. Also dealing with SO MANY layers was a pain in the bootay. There's a learning curve as with all sewing biznizz. Also, I should mention that I wear a real bra when I swim. My chesticles need the support and bathing suits alone can't cut it. Every summer I take a current bra and use it for swim making sure to replace it with a new one for everyday use. It gets the job done!
I used this morbidly hilarious fabric from Backstitch Fabrics for my main print. Its so wrong and completely right.
Then I chose a cute polka dot coordinate from Peekaboo Fabric Shop to add a little pop! I got my lining and power mesh from Peekaboo, too. And um...my elastics, too. Seriously, she's a one stop swim shop with the best prices I've seen.
I added a little skirty for those days I'm bloated and need to avoid being asked if I'm pregnant again. Because the answer to that question is "No. Never. Now go away." I used Butterick 5795 for that. Easy peasy lemon squeezy.
The last thing I made was Kimono from Patterns for Pirates. I forget lots of things in the car when I go out to the pool...I don't want to be prancing around in the parking lot in my skivvies. I mean not without charging admission at least.
Overall, I think my first suit went well and I learned a lot. Maybe next year I'll go for a bikini. Oooh lala.
Make sure to check out the other bloggers...it'll be swimmingly fun.
May 22
Pearberry Lane
Inspinration
Its Leisel
Sewing for Four
May 23
HarperLu
Call Ajaire
Stylin Stacy
Skirt Fixation
May 24
Sewing by Ti
Sewing with Sarah
Sew and Tell Project
Me Made
May 25
Made by Meli
Life Sew Savory
That's What SHE Crafted
Aus Chick
May 26
Rebel and Malice
Everything Your Mama Made
Stitching and Making
Lilliepawillie
Also, blog tours just aren't as wonderful without amazing sponsors. Take some time to visit their shops and give them a follow and some love. There's a raffle and link up over at our hosts' blogs (Paisley Roots or Sew Sophie Lynn) as well, so get your pasty untanned tushes over there!
Swim on, y'all!
-Crystal-