Swimming Swimming in the Swimming Pool

This weekend our community pools open for business -- actually, open for play! After last year's success at sewing a bathing suit on the fly and without a serger(!), I decided to give a real pattern a go this year. I present My Childhood Treasures Leotard/Swimsuit 2.

The boogies running out of her nose are the same color as the suit, therefor headless-child. You're welcome.

This was a quick sew and blessedly easy to alter for my size 3 wide by size 4 long beanpole of a child. And that's why I chose to make another suit this year. We have a few store bought RTW swim suits and either the straps are too long or the bottoms fall down -- and it's no fun to lose your bathing suit while you're trying to swim no matter how old you are.

Hot off the machine! Note the lining you can see here -- the back bottom and the full front are all fully lined.

I really appreciate that this pattern contains multiple points of measurement (patterns with only width measurements are quickly becoming my biggest pet peeve), and contains cut and spread lines plus directions how best to alter the suit for fit, thankyouverymuch.

I love the kicky little skirt and the bright pop of that neon green bow on her hip! The Peanut still declares blue to be her favorite-in-the-whole-world color, but she's embracing more of her girly side. I love how this swimsuit embodies both.With a little sparkle thrown in.

Sparkle skirt, neon bow, blurry child.

I have a large handful of these fabrics left over. I'm hoping it's more than enough to eke out another pair of Euro Swim Trunks and a self-drafted rash guard for those beach and outdoor pool days. Maybe I'll add a knife-pleat ruffle do the bottom of the rash guard. Do we think I can do that in stretch/performance knit?

Pattern

My Childhood Treasures Leotard/Swimsuit 2, View B, Size 3 wide by 4 long

Fabric

Slub Stripe Green Knit Poly Spandex; Dance/Swim Knit Solid Fabric, Lime Green; the sparkly blue and the lining are not available on-line and the info-on-the-bolt pics were taken a few weeks ago on an older phone, now lost in the electronic netherworld  (all from Joann Fabric)

Notes

I lined the front bodice and the front and back of the bottom/pants -- not just the front pants as mention in the pattern. The back is still unlined. though. It was easy breezy and I'll do it again. Also! Be sure to get the correct elastic. I failed to read properly and thought it'd be okay to work with an elastic I had on hand. Then I realized it was narrower than call for, plus it's not swim elastic. But that's okay, if it breaks down, I'll just have another reason to sew a new suit.

Love

This was a blast to sew! I was going fast and didn't even break out my twin-needle. Yet, like the Small Fry Skinny Jeans, this is one of those garments I look at and can't believe I sewed it! Best sewing feeling ever.

Ren Murphy writes for The Inspired Wren.

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