Tankini Time with the Coco Cay Color Block Tankini!

After finishing up my Modest Swimsuit with the circle skirt for my friend's daughter, I had enough fabric left to make a suit for my own daughter. This is the Coco Cay Color Block Tankini (minus the color block) by Peek-A-Boo Pattern Shop.

I was really excited to try this pattern and it didn't disappoint. (I love the look of the racerback top and the briefs are so cute.) Doing the shorts for the other swimsuit wasn't too hard because I'd sewn shorts before. But I'd never made briefs. I love trying and learning new things. The pattern had clear directions and very helpful pictures. For the lining, however, I didn't want to fill the entire bottoms, so I spent a while (an embarrassingly long amount of time) figuring out how to do the lining like the brief in my daughter's Old Navy tankini from last year. I'm really happy that I was able to crack the code! I think it looks good this way. (Never mind my stitches around the waist - I had some crazy trouble with tension doing that part).

I think the suit turned out super cute. I liked Amy's pattern very much and would definitely buy from her shop again. My daughter really liked the suit too. She tried it on for these pictures in the late afternoon, and wore it through dinner and IN her bath (she was going "swimming."). I was thrilled she liked it! Next time, I would go up a size for her as I think this size is a little too snug, although she didn't seem to mind one bit.

Sewing a swimsuit was definitely not as scary as I thought it would be. I used a new ballpoint needle to help with the stitches and took my time. If you've sewn with knits before, sewing with 4-way stretch shouldn't be a problem at all. Plus, you don't have to fold the edges under so that's a time-saver. 

The hardest part for me about doing a swimsuit was inserting the elastics around the legs and arms and keeping the openings even. For some reason, I did have some tension issues too, but I didn't with the other suit I made, so the reason is a mystery. Anyway, I definitely wouldn't shy away from making another swimsuit if the opportunity (and the fabric) presented itself (end of season fabric sales, perhaps?).

Looking forward to putting this suit to use with some real (outdoor) swimming this summer.

I'll be linking up with some of these fun parties. Thanks for visiting!

A Modest Little Lady Swimsuit with Circle Skirt

What a cutie, right? This is my friend's daughter, Caitlin. She is now the proud owner of my first-ever handmade swimsuit! Her mom said she'd been having some trouble finding a more modest suit, one with a longer skirt with shorts that were a little longer. 

So she asked if I'd be interested in sewing one for Caitlin.

I just happened to have the perfect fabric waiting in the wings.

Yes! I was so excited to start.

I thought about it and researched the blogosphere a bit for patterns and ideas. I emailed with Amy, the owner of Peek-A-Boo Pattern Shop a bit and finally settled on the new Coco Cay Color Block tankini pattern for the shorts. The boy shorts were definitely short so I lengthened the pattern about 5".  I also knew Caitlin's mom wanted a twirly-type skirt, so I cut a circle skirt (having MADE's pattern in mind). Amy suggested I consult this pattern for attaching the two and that's exactly what I did.

 Now Caitlin can do many fun things in her skirt/shorts while maintaining a bit more modesty.

Oh yes, she is a karate pro too!

For the rashguard, I again went to Peek-A-Boo Pattern Shop.

I loved both patterns I bought from the shop and am looking forward to sewing another suit really soon for my own little girl.

Caitlin was so cute modeling her new suit for me! (Even in the rain - see the ground?) I am so happy it fits and that her mom liked it. :)

A few sewing notes:

- I found this recent advice from Rae very helpful with securing the seams.

- The shorts are fully lined. I wish I knew how to line, say, just the underwear or crotch area, but don't. 

- I bought my lining fabric at Joann's and used a coupon to score a good deal.

- The suit fabric source is unknown, sorry.

- Any questions? Just let me know.

I'll be linking up with some of these fun parties!