{Blog Tour} Sew Americana: United We SWIM!

The fabrics were provided to me by Sly Fox Fabrics. All opinions are mine.

Beep. Beep.

Yaaaaaaaay!! It's my stop on the Sew Americana Blog Tour hosted by Wild & Wanderful! It has been a fast and furious week of sewing and photographing (because... procrastination - lol) but whew! We (and by we, I mean my girls) are R-E-A-D-Y for the 4th of July.

I joined in the fun two years ago, but sat out last year because the sign-up filled up SO fast. I was waiting for it this year though. I'm super stoked I did too because Katy of Sly Fox Fabrics was generous enough to provide me with two yards of her curated "Sew Americana" fabrics. EEEK!!!

As I was browsing her fabrics, I saw swim and knew immediately what I'd make. Remember a few weeks ago when I took the plunge into swimwear?! Welp, I just haven't stopped sewing (a couple more in the works too!). We practically live at the pool in the Summer and the 4th will definitely be celebrated poolside.

My youngest has loved the suits I've made her, but she requested a one-piece with a criss-cross back. I didn't have any patterns that fit her request, but I did have Laguna by Little Lizard King and Boo! Ultimate Suit after I picked up Issue 10 of One Thimble (#affiliate). So, I set out to mash the two patterns together! I used the pattern from Boo! and redrew the neckline using the High Neck (non-binding) pattern piece. At the last second, I lowered the neckline on the pattern and I kind of wish I didn't. I would have loved that extra inch back at the top. I selected Swim Knit Solid in Red from Sly Fox Fabrics -- it was a nod to the American flag without being too obvious and she loves that she matches the lifeguards.

For the swim cover-up, I chose the Sedona Pattern by Little Lizard King and made a few changes. First, I omitted the lining and just turned the hems under by 1/4" and hemmed. Next I split the front so it'd be easy dressing and they could leave it open or close it at the waist seam (hidden hook & eye). Third, I didn't really consult the chart for the skirt cut. I only had 1/2 yard of each color of the Striped Double Brushed Poly so I simply used the remainder after I cut the bodice. Last, I added a detail in the back -- a tie on the navy and a strip of fabric on the red.

For my oldest, she requested a bikini with NO ruffles. I used the Laguna by Little Lizard King and used the bikini cut lines and the High Neck (non-binding). I omitted the elastic in the straps to make it easier to tie into a halter. I chose Swim Knit Solid in Navy for her and for her cover-up, the Double Brushed Poly in cranberry stripe.

As I was finishing up their cover-ups, I had about 30 minutes to spare before I needed to pick them up from camp. I decided they needed a Santa Cruz Ball from Little Lizard King so I grabbed a navy with white stars and red & white striped fabric from my stash and quickly got to work! This is SUPER quick to sew. It seriously took me longer to try to find a round balloon in town than it did to sew. Tip: Pick a balloon a larger size than your ball and it will remain rounder (although a quick Google search turned up some round latex balloon options if you have time to order).

Ready to get their swim on!! They love their new suits and I am beyond pleased with the quality of Sly Fox Fabrics. I have to brag on Katy quickly because she includes a color catcher in each shipment so you can pre-wash as soon as you open your package! That seriously impressed me.

I couldn't resist taking some of the scraps from their cover-ups and tying them in their hair for added interest. I didn't sew them or anything, just literally grabbed and tied.