One of my most-needed projects for this summer was a new swimsuit! While I adore vintage style everyday and also rather like vintage swimwear, I'm just not comfortable sporting it. Too little coverage to make me comfortable, plus I am pretty much the polar opposite of a "sun worshipper". I don't love the way sunscreen feels, but I also hate getting burnt or tanned. Consequently, I love garments that will cover my neck and shoulders when I'm likely to have sun exposure for a long period of time. Enter: even older "vintage"! The bathing costumes of the early 20th century really appeal to me, and I love having an excuse to go full-out, unabashedly sailor style!
I'm not super big on water activities, but even I have to admit that they *are* a natural part of life in the US and are mildly diverting. ;-) I used to be super fond of swimming (and was quite good when I was young!), but I think it's one of those things that becomes more enjoyable when it's a habit.
All this to say that I have been sadly neglecting my own swimming attire for years... My mom made me a really cute 1900s style bathing costume 12 years ago from this Folkwear pattern, and while it was a quite forgiving style for growing... it became obvious that I needed to accept the fact that something made when I was 13 years old was just really never going to work again. ;-) I'm pretty good at procrastinating on projects and also pretty good at avoiding water sports. Consequently I went several years without any swimsuit. I think it's one of those things that, while you can manage without it, once you have the garment, you'll be using it a whole awful lot. So I look forward to many more outings to put it to good use!
Blah, blah, blah... I talk/ramble/blather so much on this blog! I think this is really just my way of getting a captive audience and getting out everything I could possibly want to say but usually am too inhibited by myself to do. ;-) And besides, you can always skip to the photos if you don't give two hoots!
I changed the neckline to a shallow V and altered the collar accordingly. I really wanted to do a wide, square neckline, but my desire for maximum sun coverage won out. ;-)
The buttons down the front are fully functioning to allow extra room for pulling it on.
The skirt is smooth at the front and pleated on the sides and back.
The back trim and sleeves were inspired by my very favorite image (from my Pinterest board), and I'm glad I finally got around to doing something with that inspiration since it's been rattling in my head for years!
I used both 1/2" and 3/8" ribbon on all the bodice/waistband areas. It ended up being just subtly more pleasing than 2 rows of the same width and, bonus!, it turns out that I was able to completely use up both spools this way so it was some great stash-busting!
Speaking of stash-busting, the whole project accomplished that in spades! The buttons are all from the stash, the fabric came from all the random bits we had leftover from 12 years ago. It was the perfect amount- hooray!
I really adored the Folkwear pattern, but after wearing it a few times, we discovered how very inconvenient and unpractical having a jumpsuit with detachable skirt was for undressing/using the restroom. The design was very clever, but it necessitated removing every article of clothing as well as undoing every button (there are 14) and untying the tie. In short, it was a royal pain. We've come up with a few ways of making other bathing suits more user-friendly, and this is our latest attempt. I haven't put it to a rigorous test yet, but I do feel like it will be perfectly suitable. :-)
The dress is a one-piece with entirely separate bloomers and honestly, I'm not sure why I didn't think of it before- seems like an easy solution to the dilemma, haha!
I also wanted to modernize my bathing costume a bit this time around- you know, bring it all the way up to the 1910s! ;-) Shorter sleeves and a v-neckline instead of a jewel neckline were my biggest changes. I drew lots of inspiration from my Pinterest board, and there are still so many ideas I'd love to use for another project! I never found historical reference to buttons up the side, so those are (plausible, I flatter myself) artistic license but I'm a huge fan!
Also, the majority of bathing costumes I came across from the 1910s had longer bloomers and shorter skirts than mine. I'm not entirely sold on that idea yet, so when I came across a few examples otherwise, I instantly claimed them as my justification. ;-)
Also, the majority of bathing costumes I came across from the 1910s had longer bloomers and shorter skirts than mine. I'm not entirely sold on that idea yet, so when I came across a few examples otherwise, I instantly claimed them as my justification. ;-)
Triple rows of ribbon for the skirt, again taken from extant photos. I applied this trim before deciding on the trim for the rest, so of course now I'm second-guessing the placement and I really do think I should space them wider. Sigh- to rip off, or not to rip off? The struggle is real.
The bodice is quite roomy to allow for full range of motion, and it is taken in with inverted pleats in the front and back.
The side opens all the way into the armhole which makes for easy on-and-off, even when soaking wet.
Speaking of which, I made this bathing costume with taslan, which we've come to love for swimwear! It's made from nylon, but is engineered to look and feel like cotton. It's very comfortable, although I will admit that this particular batch of fabric is my favorite of all the others we've purchased since! The glory of taslan is how quickly it completely dries off. Upon first coming out of the water, it sheds massive amounts of water, and then it is easily wrung out a bit. But after being in the sun for a few minutes the whole dress dries out and, depending on the humidity/sunshine levels, it can be completely dry in 15-20 minutes. Score! It also makes a perfect outfit for canoeing or anything involving "accidental" water.
· Photos by the ever-marvelous Kathryn who convinces me that, yes, getting in the boat is actually a really good idea for a photoshoot! I'd be so hopeless without you. ;-) ·
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