Frilled with the results

OK, it's been a long time coming - but I am at last back with the last of the bathers/swimwear.

Here is the littlest madam in her new swimming gear, which she adores. 

I think she loves putting them on because it means she gets to swim and this kid is seriously part-fish.



Pants are the 'Dumbo' underwear from Ottobre 6/2010, all I did was do a rolled hem on some white lycra strips and ruffle them (just by hand) across the bottom.
Because I love frilly bums, because I couldn't resist the urge to do it and because soon she (or her Dad) won't let me!

The top is a singlet top from Ottobre 3/2007 (design 9) with a couple of modifications. Instead of tying the straps on the shoulder I measured them and cut so they joined under the arm then looped straight around. And I omitted the ruffles on the front - wouldn't want to over do it...

After doing that I browsed my 'Sewing Clothes Kids Love' book and of course found that the Brooklyn tank top is the same as this pattern, but with no modifications required.
I'll be using that in future, especially as it goes to larger sizes too.

So this less than wonderful pic was hurriedly taken just before they jumped into the local pool. The bathers passed with flying colours for comfort, lack of gape and general performance - but I should have thought to line the white top - not that the toddler cared.

I have since had to remake the top (after unpicking the bindings as I had no more dotty fabric) after the smallest, on this very first outing, spilled an 'all natural' raspberry/pine Calippo down the front - and nothing I tried would shift it.
Special treat - great idea!

Seems I am not the only one who likes a ruffley bottom!

Oh and I forgot to mention last post that I would, in future, put elastic into the armholes as well as necklines of the one piece bathers and unbound tank tops so they sit better.

Also if you haven't tried Wondertape and sew, or want to sew stretch - then seriously do yourself  a favour.
It is fabulous, and made sewing some of those fiddly little hems way easier.

Also, thanks for the swimwear love, glad to hear I am not the only one with 'issues' about commercialisation and inappropriateness of kids clothing.

Spots before my eyes

Anyone who has seen much of my sewing will know that I am mad for fabric with spots and dots of all shapes and sizes (stay tuned on that one for my new swimming-lessons bag!!).

But the one kind of spot I am not keen on seeing is the one called chicken pox, which is what is currently keeping us quarantined at home.


(Just included this pic because it is my all-time fave of me with the little miss, despite my messy hair - look at those chubby thighs!)

Still there's plenty to do on a hot Melbourne day even when you can't leave home and paddling is always top of our list (don't worry, we collect rainwater from our roof in large barrels for the purpose of paddling for those worried about water restrictions).

The little one seems to not be enjoying it as much as the other two - but it will grow on her I'm sure.


And this just because I never could go past a 'frilly' knickers shot!