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19.11.12

A little bit sporty...

I have achieved one of those holy grails of motherhood...all three children in swimming lessons at the same time!  Which leaves me with little excuse not to get in and do a few laps myself.  I always find it easier to get on and exercise if I am dressed for the part, so I made myself some sporty swimmers.





The fabrics: just came from stash remnants of nylon lycra.

The patterns: Last year, when I was thinking about starting a pattern company, beginning with bikini patterns, I drafted a heap of different base patterns.  When my free pattern was sewn up by, oh, all of zero people, I shelved the idea.  The advantage of the process is that I now have a bundle of patterns to choose from for myself.  The bottoms here are a pair that sit low on the waist, have wide sides and a low leg line at the front and cut across the cheek at the back.  The CB seam allows for a close fit at the back, so whilst they are on the skimpy side, they sit firmly in place.  No riding up, no tugging, no pulling.  Possibly the back rise could be a smidge higher, because whilst there is no bum crack actually on display, it is only a bee's dick away.  I wear a swim shirt over the top, so no biggie.

The crop top is adapted from Jalie 2563.  Truth be known, I am not too fond of the crop top as a bikini, because there seems to be too much fabric on the top half, compared with the bottom half.  (Of course, this is less of a problem for pear shapes...the photo above shows my difference in sizes top to bottom).  I counteracted this a little by scooping out and widening the neckline of the original pattern.

One of my sisters did question my choice in style, thinking that bikinis were impractical for the vigorous activity of butterfly and tumble turns.  My swimming does not actually involve either butterfly or tumble turns.   In fact, up until this point, my triangle bikini and swim shirt have been adequate for the task, though I did always check the triangles before taking off my shirt!

My daughter did tell me that although they were good swimmers, she wouldn't advise that I wear them out, to like, a party or anything.  Can't say that I was planning on any party going in these.  She went onto to say...(here I was fully expecting to hear...because it shows your big, wobbly belly)...because the grey colour was not really pretty.  Actually, she is right.  The grey is not all that flattering.  Anyway, I think they look a bit sporty, so if I wear them to the pool, I am more likely to get off that banana chair and into the water.





9 comments:

  1. I really like how you used color blocking in this sporty swimsuit!

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  2. I love your sporty swimsuit. Perhaps you could make a tankini version for the post baby swimwear makers. Your free pattern is super cute. Unfortunately I had to have part of my breast removed last year and the last thing I really feel like is wearing any togs at all now. I still think your pattern is gorgeous though.

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  3. Wait, I like the grey! Looks good with the pink. I'm glad you just mentioned your free bikini pattern. I didn't know you'd published this. I think now that I've tackled bras and sewing lots of lycra it's time to make a swimsuit.

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  4. I too love the grey and pink... I think it is really nice and I would wear it for trainers. Nobody wears racer back togs to parties and anyway you have your award winning Chanel copy to wear to the pool party! Oh and I didn't make your free pattern because I could never fit my top half into them!

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  5. Very cute. That looks very sporty, and like you're probably very fast in the pool!

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  6. Nice togs! I am not fond of grey either, but it does give it the sporty look. I am sorry I missed your free togs pattern. I quite like that style, so will look at it again when I am next making togs.

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  7. Great swimmers! The color commentary could have been my daughter's. I'm going swimming in my polka dot beach bikinis which feels a bit odd at an indoor pool; I need a pair like yours!

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  8. I love them and I'm quite partial to the colour too. I actually downloaded your bikini pattern but have yet to take the leap into sewing swimwear. I relaly love the shape of the bottoms but will probably draft a similar top to your one above (my post baby boobs can't handle triangle bikini tops!)

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  9. I actually consulted your tutorial before embarking on my own swimwear and found it helpful

    My youngest son (aged 9) has just started competitive swimming and spends three hours per week in the pool. I really need to swim when he is in the pool as well. Either that or take my knitting.

    Great sporty bikini by the way!

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