Today, is my turn on the Cole's Creations "Dive Into Swimsuits" Blog Tour! I adore Nicole from Cole's Creations and have made lots of her patterns. Not a bathing suit though... Nope. I have avoided them ever since I started sewing knits. When I was presented with the opportunity to test her newest pattern, The Lakehouse, I decided to dive right in. (Get it? hahaha) Was I scared? Yep, you bet I was scared. I'm so glad I decided to go for it though! :)
We are going to take a look at several Cole's Creations patterns. Last week I tested the brand-spanking new "Lakehouse" and made a coordinating "Bow-a-licious". I also whipped up a matching "Lakehouse Swimsuit for Dolly."
My girls had a blast modeling these suits in our "Swimsuits & Sprinklers" photo shoot. Poor yourself a glass of lemonade and let's take a look at these patterns. Cheers!
We are going to take a look at several Cole's Creations patterns. Last week I tested the brand-spanking new "Lakehouse" and made a coordinating "Bow-a-licious". I also whipped up a matching "Lakehouse Swimsuit for Dolly."
My girls had a blast modeling these suits in our "Swimsuits & Sprinklers" photo shoot. Poor yourself a glass of lemonade and let's take a look at these patterns. Cheers!
The Lakehouse Swimsuit:
*One-piece suit
*Sizes 1/2 through 16 (That is a HUUUUUUUUGE size range!)
*Can be used as a swimsuit or leotard
*Separate pieces for the front, bottom, and waistband so you can use up to 3 different fabrics on the front... how fun is that?!
*Empire waist
*Sweet bow-detail on waistband
*Difficulty Level- Intermediate
*One-piece suit
*Sizes 1/2 through 16 (That is a HUUUUUUUUGE size range!)
*Can be used as a swimsuit or leotard
*Separate pieces for the front, bottom, and waistband so you can use up to 3 different fabrics on the front... how fun is that?!
*Empire waist
*Sweet bow-detail on waistband
*Difficulty Level- Intermediate
Here is my youngest daughter in The Lakehouse. She is a sweet, roly-poly little thing. None of her sister's hand-me-downs fit her this year. She typically wears a 3T in ready to wear clothing, but bathing suits just don't fit her right. They are usually too low cut or bare too much on the sides. Not to mention, her little tush is always peeking out of store-bought ones. The Lakehouse however, fit her perfectly! I was able to measure her and make the corresponding size that fit her just right. Nothing was hanging out and Little Miss was free to run and play comfortably.
The Bow-a-licious Swimsuit:
*One-piece suit
*Sizes 1/2 through 16 (Again, huge size range!)
*Can be used as a swimsuit or leotard
*Bow can be on the front or back
*Bow can be reversible if you use a solid fabric
*Difficulty level: Intermediate
*One-piece suit
*Sizes 1/2 through 16 (Again, huge size range!)
*Can be used as a swimsuit or leotard
*Bow can be on the front or back
*Bow can be reversible if you use a solid fabric
*Difficulty level: Intermediate
Here is my oldest daughter in the Bow-a-licious. That is just fun to say! Bow-a-licious ;) I have wasted money on 2 store-bought suits already this spring for this girl. She is tall and thin for her age. My husband and I were very frustrated with the lack-of-coverage she was getting in the store-bought ones. I mashed up 3 different sizes to get her the perfect fit and it was SOOOO EASY! All you have to do is blend the sizes when cutting out your pattern. For example, she is a size 6 chest, 4 waist, 3 hips, and 6 height. She was so happy when she tried this on and it fit and covered her in all the right places! Her only complaint was that it wasn't pink... sigh. Daddy was especially happy with the level of modesty as well!
As mentioned before, I have never sewn a swimsuit before this week. I was scared. It was so much easier than I expected. I used my serger for most of the construction and used my conventional sewing machine to stitch the elastics down, in the final steps. I do not own a coverstitch machine, so that was not an option for me.
Yes, the fabric is slippery. That means it takes a little longer to pin and keep everything lined up. TIP: I actually used wonder clips instead of pins and I was very pleased with how quickly I was able to construct the suit.
Yes, the fabric is slippery. That means it takes a little longer to pin and keep everything lined up. TIP: I actually used wonder clips instead of pins and I was very pleased with how quickly I was able to construct the suit.
In both patterns, Nicole gives the option of fully lining the front. I choose to line the front and the back. I did this for a few reasons. The first being it is white and light-colored fabric. I did not want it to be see-through when wet. Secondly, it gives the suit a nice, clean finish with no seams sticking out and poking you. I wanted the girls to be comfortable and confident in their suits. Mission accomplished! :)
Now that I have made these, I'm not scared anymore. And you know what? I don't think I can go back to store-bought bathing suits again. The customized fit on these is absolute perfection. And don't forget about the matching patterns for Dolly! The doll swimsuit patterns are available in 15" and 18" sizes.
Make sure to check in at the Cole's Corner and Creations Patterns Group on Facebook. Join in the sew-a-long and enter daily for chances to win some amazing prizes from these fabulous designers!
Follow the rest of these talented bloggers and designers as they show-off more awesome swimsuit patterns!
So that's it! See? There's no reason to be scared. It's time to dive on in and make a bathing suit, or 2, or 3! Happy sewing... and swimming! :)