Today, simply so that I can have a short post in the midst of all these longer-than-usual ones, I bring you minimal linkages (and no pictures of me!):
- A pattern for a modest swimsuit, available for purchase at Biblical Womanhood.
- Print tankini + long board shorts = What I think a swimsuit should be (but I predict it’s a long time before I find it and can afford to buy it). Of course, a coordinated set would be nice.
Anybody have any wisdom to share about the advisability of attempting to make a swimsuit?
I have no wisdom, only frustration. My DD has a little swim skirt. But trying to find a tankini that is not a halter is almost impossible. She is a busty girl (like her mama) and she needs support and something that will stay up, when she swims. It has been very crazy trying to find something !! Okay I will stop venting now !! Clarice
Clarice ~ Well, I understand, but busty is one problem I don’t have. I generally like halters, but I also like the real sporty looking tank-top style tops. Have you tried Lands End? I was looking at their on-line store and they had more modest swimwear than most.
Our problem is that Awana camp requires a one-piece and, of course, young ladies aren’t going to get a black, old lady one. But they don’t want the little tiny thin tops on the jr ones either, if you can even find one.
I saw a link to a land’s end suit in a “Works for me” Wednesday blog. It was a similar idea and less expensive. In either black and white tank and swimshorts or royal and black. It also had a virtual model that you customize with your measurements and try the suit on it. The mom recommending it said that the tank was very “supportive”.
-kathryn
Just want to clarify, I am after the knee-length board shorts. Swim skirts are alright, clearly more feminine, but they are not as modest, nor as stylish (in my own idiom and opinion).
Kathryn ~ Thanks for dropping by and contributing to the discussion. It’s especially helpful to know that someone testifies to the “supportiveness”.
Hi Rebecca,
I used to make my own swimwear years ago and it wasn’t difficult but it is imperative that you have a machine that has a “stretch” stitch. I made mine in the heyday of knits and machines then were built for sewing knits, not cotton, as they are today. (I worked at Singer Sewing Company’s fabric store for a couple of years in college). So, I would think today you would need a serger to finish the seams nicely, though someone who is an excellent seamstress (not me) might could do a good job on a regular machine. I haven’t looked at patterns for swimwear in years, so I don’t know what is out there. I did see swimwear fabric in Jo-Ann’s Fabric store the other day, so it’s still out there!
Susan
I don’t know a thing about sewing swimwear, but I certainly do like your ideas. 90% of the time, what’s modest isn’t stylish and what’s stylish isn’t modest. You’ve brought the two together in a very nice way.
i like the tankini/board short option, but i like the shorter shorts. not TOO short, but shorter than the ones on that link.
i tried to find a combination at dillards the other night with NO luck whatsoever. blah.
I have a Lands End tankini (skirt type bottom) and I like it. However, I think the swim-shorts would be better because when you swim or bounce about in the water, your skirt tends to float up. Weird. I like the two piece tankini/shorts best because when you have to go potty, you don’t have to strip naked as you do with a one-piece suit. MUCH nicer in my opinion.
I sewed swim suits for my kids once. Note that — once. Not doing it again.
Wait until the Lands End stuff goes on sale. I found swim-shorts at Walmart a long time ago and I’ve matched them to my tankini top. Works great!
Another idea with the one-piece swimsuit……wear it and find a cute pair of swimshorts to pull on.
~Jody
Well, I think I shall put to rest all thoughts of sewing a swimsuit and just continue my quest. If anyone notices a good sale at Land’s End, please send notice!
Wow I don’t think I’ve ever seen such heinous swimwear. How do you actually swim in that gear with the skirt flapping around your legs? Fortunately I have found the most gorgeous flattering slightly covered up swimwear at a shop called Glamourpuss in Manly, Sydney Australia. I find shorts extremely unflattering, and prefer a small skirt, but the ones on the Christian website make Afghani women under the Taliban look liberated in comparison!
Rebecca – Hi, I found you through Shannon at Rocks in my Dryer! My mom (you know her as Mrs. Liberty) once sewed her own swimsuit. If I remember right, it looked distinctly…homemade.
Sara
Sara, what fun! So glad to have you here! It cracks me up that one of my Real Life People got here via another blog.
I’ll have to thank Shannon.
I love your blog, Rebecca! Been browsing it for a while here! Saw this on swimwear and wanted to share a link, http://www.modest-swimwear.net/swimsuitpictures.htm
I think they’re short skirts over knee length shorts. My friend first told me about them not too long ago, and she’s been sewing them with great results from patterns and fabric she bought at the site.
I know it’s not swimsuit time (at least where I live!)but there you go!
Modest-Swimwear.net also sells their pattern.
I was also looking for a modest swimsuit. As you say, everything was either modest and not stylish or stylish but not modest. Then I found HydroChic! Their swimsuits are truly both! Their swimsuits have truly changed my life! Now I go to the beach with my family, and I don’t have to worry about too much “exposure” or looking like a model from the ’50s!
Check out Shade Clothing for some great swimsuits – fashionable and covers! http://www.shadeclothing.com/~ps~mau23780
Use Personal Shopper Coupon Code MAU23780 for 10% off your first order and 5% off each additional order! Shade’s best kept secret!
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