Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Swim Baby Swim

Exciting news.
We are putting in a pool.
So everyone needs new swimmers.
Lidia's had disintegrated so she went first.
Liddy is tricky to buy swimmers for. She is so thin naturally and after having nasty bout of tonsillitis that actually required an antibiotic, she is even more so at present.
(Although she proudly announced this morning she has gained two kilo in a fortnight)
She has broad shoulders though and is long in the body.
Liddy always loved Zara's and requested a pair.
I drafted a muslin off on pattern interfacing and tissue fit it first.
I had to alter it a lot.
The 12 was a good fit around her chest but impossibly baggy through the waist and bottom.
I ended up taking several inches out. I pinched an inch from the middle and reshaped the sides by over an inch on each edge.
They ended up with a cute boy-leg look.
As part of the construction you sew two casings down the side seams and thread ties through them.
They make a bow at the leg.
It's a very cute detail.
I purchased the fabric off of eBay. It was marked as 'Speedo' and it is certainly fine quality.
We shall see how it lasts.
She loves them.
I didn't get the fit quite right, they are still a little loose but she is eating like a trooper so hopefully she will fill out a bit more.
When you see those shoulders you understand her swimming ability. She is a little fish!
We both love the vintage swim suit vibe the pattern and fabric create.
It is definitely not a competition suit, Liddy prefers a race back for that, but as a fun, pool party look, it is perfect.
I still have a big enough piece left to make her a rash vest and I will try my hand at a KwikSew racer back pattern.
xx N (& Liddy)

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20 comments:

  1. Bryanna JohnsonDecember 30, 2014 at 8:59 PM

    What a great looking swim suit!

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  2. motherof5December 31, 2014 at 2:19 AM

    Thank you Bryanna, it's nice to meet you!
    xx N

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    1. Bryanna JohnsonDecember 31, 2014 at 4:26 PM

      I've been reading your blog since I found it through the Oliver + S Flickr group. I thought it was time I said hello :) Thanks for your comment on my blog too!

      Delete
    2. motherof5January 6, 2015 at 6:52 PM

      I am so glad you did!
      xx N

      Delete
  3. UnknownDecember 31, 2014 at 7:15 AM

    That swimsuit is adorable.....I love the "vintage vibe" to it as well! Hope your little fish gets to feeling better soon, and puts that swimsuit to good use!!

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    1. motherof5January 6, 2015 at 6:53 PM

      Thank you Ladies.
      I thought you may like this one, it is very you!
      She is getting much better, thank you.
      xx N

      Delete
  4. Kristin at SunnySewing.comDecember 31, 2014 at 10:17 AM

    Aw poor girl. So glad she is better. The swimsuit is the best! I love the tie details and you picked the perfect print. It looks great on her :)

    I had a nice surprise from you yesterday in my mailbox :D It gave me the biggest smile. Thanks so much for the wonderful card!! Your family is so beautiful :)

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    1. motherof5January 6, 2015 at 7:00 PM

      Thank you Kristin, she is so slight, she worries me when she becomes unwell.
      She loves her suit and loves having something that fits.

      I am glad you got the card, Happy New Year!
      xx N

      Delete
  5. ElizabethDecember 31, 2014 at 8:26 PM

    How lucky to have a mom be able to fit a swimsuit just for you! I love the fabric and those ties on the sides are a great feature!

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    1. motherof5January 6, 2015 at 7:03 PM

      Thank you Elizabeth. She was so disappointed after trying on some swimmers in the shops, nothing fitted, not even the expensive ones.
      I guess I will have to keep practising.
      xx N

      Delete
  6. Lightning McStitchJanuary 1, 2015 at 2:01 AM

    "Kids, we're putting in a pool" Best. words. ever.
    How exciting for you all. These are brilliant swimmers, the fabric, the pattern, the fit, it's all perfect. It's amazing what you can do when you know how! Lucky, lanky kid to have a mum who can sew.
    happy new year to you all.

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    1. motherof5January 9, 2015 at 2:47 AM

      We are so excited, instead of spending their inheritance we are spending their school fees.
      I saw that you were making swimmers too, it is very satisfying sewing.
      Thank you!
      xx N

      Delete
  7. KirstyJanuary 1, 2015 at 5:19 PM

    The swimmers (and model) look amazing! Enjoy the pool.

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  8. JoyJanuary 2, 2015 at 11:45 AM

    Super cute! I love the fabric. Custom swimming suits is where you know your sewing skills really pay off!

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    1. motherof5January 9, 2015 at 2:56 AM

      So true Joy. We tried on so many suits and they just didn't fit, even the really pricey ones.
      The Twins turned up their noses at the fabric, I think they rather regretted that once it was made up ;)
      Thank you!
      xx N

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  9. Inder-ificJanuary 2, 2015 at 5:18 PM

    Ooooh, excited about your new pool! Of course you all need new swimsuits! Heck yeah! Congratulations! Love this vintage pattern too.

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    1. motherof5January 9, 2015 at 3:00 AM

      Thank you Inder. We have been saving for school fees since Hugo was born but the local school has really stepped up and we have not needed to send them away. So we convinced Jed to put in a pool.
      The pattern is so cute, it was printed in New Zealand, which is nice too!
      xx N

      Delete
  10. CindyJanuary 5, 2015 at 8:39 AM

    So pretty! I love the vintage vibe and the stripes look great!

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  11. motherof5January 9, 2015 at 3:02 AM

    Thank you Cindy, you are my absolute inspiration in so many ways but definitely when it comes to swimmers.
    xx N

    ReplyDelete

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