Summer Swim-A-Long

Hey, what's up? Did you miss me? I missed me, so I'd be surprised if you didn't. I've been around a bit on social media so you might not have missed me if you are there too. But seriously, I apologize for such a long absence between blog posts. You see, I've been fighting my brain chemistry a good bit lately* and blogging was not high on my to-do list whilst trying to sort it out. But here I am and I want to tell you about something fun going on.

The Summer Swim-A-Long! Like many things, this started out as a twitter conversation and kind of grew into a full fledged theme. Its kinda like a sew-a-long but with more options than just swim wear. Like, I'm going to be doing a guest post over on Katie of Kadiddlehopper in mid-June for a beach cover-up how-to. Just a few days after my birthday. The lovely Leila of Three Dresses Project is co-host of this affair.

The beach cover-up I'll be making is a free download at fabric.com, you can find it here. Click on the banner that says "free pattern" and below are links to suggestions of what to use for making this cover-up. Which will henceforth be called "The Beach Kaftan". I recommend semi-sheer or sheer materials that can withstand beach, sun, and the washing machine. Cotton voile, gauze, and even chiffon if you are feeling froggy, but I recommend easy to work with fabrics.

Those goggles are pretty darn goofy looking. Also, she's inherited my shoulders.

I've already dabbled a bit in making a swimsuit for my daughter, the above is my first attempt. I really want to make a slightly better one with latex elastic around the neck so that it doesn't pull down so far on her. I ordered some more and it came in the mail yesterday.  In any case, we've been quite excited for summer since all the rain this winter has the lake fuller than it has been in the last decade, AND my mother-in-law's pool is now operation again. I fully expect my children to develop gills and webbed feet by the end of summer. I'll keep you posted on how that goes.

Speaking of lakes, I want to make surfer suits for the kids to use while skiing. So what fun activities do you northern hemisphere folk have planned?

*By "fighting my brain chemistry" I mean I had yet another complete meltdown at which point I threatened to euthanize all the cats. I may even have threatened my husband with a knife, but he says that I didn't so my memory could be faulty. Or I just thought about it (but really, who doesn't entertain that notion once in a while?). In any case, these episodes were getting to the point where even I was like "WTF is wrong with me" and finally agreed to see my doctor. We've adjusted my medication and we'll see how that goes. So far, so good.

Sunset by the Lake Dress

HAHA! Not only did I finish it today, I had just enough gas left in my car to drive the two miles to the lake and make my husband take pictures right at sunset. NEENER NEENER NEENER!



This was a fairly easy dress to make once I figured out how to do the lining. Its view C of Simplicity 3503. I had wanted to make this dress for the beach LAST April but I did not yet have a grasp on FBA's. I have since had an AHA! moment and find them much less daunting. I also have a serger. This is a cotton jersey knit that I got during a super sale at fashionfabricslub.com. It drapes wonderfully and is scrumptiously soft. I did try adding in a clear elastic when serging the long side seams but it ended up puckering very badly and I had to rip it out and redo it. So the top few inches above the pockets have the clear elastic and I think that helps for stability but still allows it to drape.



I do need to tighten up the back elastic a good bit. It 'droops' and I have to adjust. Not so cool, but an easy fix. I would also like to share a tip in sewing knits. In the halter portion there are pleats at the top. They have to be sewn and pressed. When pressing, use as much steam and heat as the fabric type can handle and then let it sit until COMPLETELY COOL. Do not touch it. Don't even be tempted to touch it. Walk away if you have to, but this works very well, trust me!

Alright, that's all from me now. Time to get ready for my work week. JOY!