Not so Itsy, Bitsy, Orange Polka Dot not Bikini!!

I have a confession.  I am a swimsuit hoarder!  Now, granted, we live on the lake and we have a pool, but really, 22 swimsuits??  Really????  I can't help it.  I am in them almost every day and I like variety and now that I know that I can make them, I can see that number climbing!!!  I really, really love this orange polka dot 2 piece suit:

I made it out of a poly/cotton blend and it is fully lined.  I used this pattern for the top:

I've had this in my stash for quite some time, but for some reason thought making a swimsuit would be hard. But it was easy peasy.  The bottoms were made from another vintage pattern that belongs to my niece and I returned it without photographing it first.  Oh well.  This suit fits perfectly and isn't too revealing.  I do admit however, that I will only wear a 2 piece if NO ONE is around! 

This was actually 3rd swimsuit attempt.  Here is my 2nd one made from the same pattern using the bottoms on the pattern as well.

I don't like this one as well because it's a little bit too big in the hips and the elastic in the legs is too "puffy".  I may take the bottoms apart and redo them, because I really like the fabric and the fit of the top.

I will show you my first suit, which is made from a 1950's pattern another day, I still need to photograph the pattern!

This weekend is full of wedding activities for me as my cousins son is getting married and I am chauffering grandparents around all weekend!  My DS and DH are out of town for the weekend for a boat race (please say a little prayer for their safety!)

Blessings

Linda

The Dogwood Skirt

I love dogwoods!  Did you know the are the state flower for Virginia?  Springtime here is just beautiful when the dogwoods are in full bloom.  I have 3 of them in my yard that my Grandfather planted for me 25 years ago.  So when I saw some fabric with dogwoods on it at the thrift store, I knew it had to be mine.  There were 3 yards and I paid $1.50 for it!  Quite the bargain!

A few weeks ago my niece and I attended an estate sale not far from where I live that advertised sewing stuff!  When we got there, she started digging through the closets and we came up with 120 vintage sewing patterns!!!  There was no price on any on them so I asked the lady running the sale and she said $15 for all of them!!  OH YES!!!  I gave Rebecca all but about 7 of them, since she is becoming quite the seamstress.

Here is what I made with my "new" pattern and fabric!  Simplicity 7394 from 1976.

I loved this skirt that was made with the front panel and two side panels!  Upon looking into the envelope I found this:

It's an ad from a 1976 magazine showing this pattern made up! I can just imagine the women who owned it before me seeing this ad and knowing she loved it so much she wanted to make it.

Anyway, I decided to use my beloved dogwood fabric and I couldn't be happier with the way this pattern went together and how it turned out.

This is a terrible photo, but you will have to trust me that the skirt is really cute and I've worn it a couple of times already and feel so springy in it!  I will definitely use this pattern again as I was able to make this cute skirt in about an hour from start to finish!

Hope everyone had a grand weekend!

Blessings

Linda