This nautical swimsuit it just perfect for girls. It was very fun to play around with some more swim fabric from Raspberry Creek Fabrics, and this time, Annie was the lucky recipient. She requested some very specific elements, and I tried to get it just the way she liked it. I think in the end, she ended up with a nautical swimsuit that she’s very delighted with.
The main fabric is the seahorse and seashell print. It’s about as perfect as you can get for swim fabric, and yes, I know I say that about every one of the swim fabrics from Raspberry Creek Fabrics! But seriously, seahorses, seashells and sea stars all in one fun swimsuit? And these fabrics have 50+ SPF protection too!
The accent fabric is coral and white stripe. I used it for both the center panel and the shorts underneath the swim skirt. As it so happened, I forgot to cut out the back of the top until I started constructing the suit, and so I didn’t have enough fabric left to make the back from either of these two fabrics! Luckily, I had just the right shade of solid coral fabric in my stash.
Now for the patterns. For the swim skirt, I started with the Sporty Girl Skort by Peekaboo Pattern Shop. It’s not intended to be a swim skirt, so I sized down, and modified the waistband to include elastic all the way around instead of just the back.
And I also added elastic to the legs openings of the shorts underneath. It ended up just like the nautical swimsuit Annie had envisioned!
For the top, Annie wanted a ruched center panel just like on the Grace Tankini. I started with the Just Keep Swimming Rashguard pattern by The Wolf and the Tree. I took the center of the color blocked version, and extended it by about 8 inches spread across the panel. Then I gathered it and sewed it together. Annie couldn’t decide if she wanted sleeves or not, so I suggested the half shoulder ruffle. It has the coverage of sleeves (no more sunburned shoulders!) and the breathability of sleeveless. To add them to the armhole openings, I just simplified things by only putting elastic below the ruffles. Because when I tried it all the way around, it ended up so very wonky and I had to rip it out!
Just like when I shared my Grace Tankini, I had to play around with some other fabric combinations and swimsuit patterns! There are simply so many options, you could created endless possibilities…not like I’m trying or anything! This is the Marilyn Vintage Swimsuit by Peekaboo Pattern Shop. Wouldn’t it be fun to use that darling mermaid fabric for the sides and back, some deep lilac purple for the ruched center, and some teal gingham for the straps and leg bands?!?
Or how about this fun combination? It’s the Waikiki One Piece from Peekaboo Pattern Shop in pink and yellow tossed lemons for the main body, and yellow and white polka dots for the ruffles and straps?
Would it be wrong if I sewed myself this exact combination for myself? It’s the High Tide Surfsuit from Peekaboo Pattern Shop in Watercolor Popsicle fabric with Light Lime solid fabric and pink and white stripes for the contrast and accents. You just know everyone would be jealous!
Alright, that’s it for me! Go grab some swimsuit fabric from Raspberry Creek Fabrics and have fun!
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Skirt Fixation 