It’s a yearly ritual; summer approaching, new bathers.
I’m very hard on my bathers. I hardly ever wash the salt water or chlorine out; they get scrumpled up in a wet, sandy, salty towel, left in the boot of the car, dried out under the full blast of the harsh Australian sun. I occasionally toss them in the washing machine but for the most part they are expected to do solid hard duty with the bare minimum of care. Some fabrics perform better under these conditions than others, but I don’t stress about it for even one second if they don’t. I just plan for a new pair per year, no worries; and don’t give it a thought besides some pleasant day-dreaming about what colour/print I should have next time.
This year, that decision was taken out of my hands by my very practical daughter, who announced she wanted to give me fabric for my bathers for my birthday. So sweet! Well, apart from the fact that she then had absolute control over the colour I would be wearing! Aaaagh! giving over control of my wardrobe, so difficult for control-freak-me! But, one sometimes has to bow down and accept the dictums of another. And I think it’s good for me, helps me for a short while to relax my iron-clad expectations for myself and frequently surprises and delights me.
So, Cassie and I went shopping for the fabric in Fabulous Fabrics together; and I hopefully pointed out a nice navy blue and white striped fabric. Aah, navy blue! you sure have me in your clutches at the mo! I briefly entertained a vision of myself in some Fwanch-inspired, nautically navy/white striped number with a chic wide-brimmed hat set at an elegant angle, paddling about in the shallows in a ladylike manner.
But no! I had not reckoned with the even more iron-clad will of my daughter; who firmly told me that navy/white stripes were so boring and that I would just look the same as everyone else.
POP *bubble bursting*
I was told I would be wearing this nice shade of brick instead.
You know, we have this saying in Australia about being built like a brick, er, house… * Haha! I jest; obviously this deep coral/terracotta colour is very much moi, a tonne nicer for my colouring than navy and white, I admit it; and I think it also looks rather striking set against the sea-and-sky blues and sandy whites of summer. It’s a bit Uluru actually, a very Australian colour.
Cassie chose well, very well indeed 🙂
Pattern is ye old fave; McCalls 2772; a halter neck bikini which I have modified to be a tankini, and with the matching bikini bottoms. I was thinking; one day I should write for myself a little tute on how to do this. Each time I do it I kind of have to think back through first principles. Good for my brain, yes, but what if I stuff it up one year?
Details:
Bathers; McCalls 2772, bikini pattern modified to be a tankini
Hat; Country Road (from many years ago)
Location; Leighton Dog Beach
*just to explain; my Mum reads my blog sometimes, and I would get ticked off if I finished that there saying… yes, even at my age!
It’s a yearly ritual; summer approaching, new bathers.
Perfect colour and style! Your daughter is annoyingly right LOL. This colour is definitely "you"!
Your daughter has excellent taste, and you look lovely!
Gorgeous swimmers! She did choose very well.
Your daughter chose very well. It is a lovely shade of brick and not, brick s…..t house at all! What is it with that saying, because I can't say I have ever seen one made of red brick at all! Maybe navy and white could be next years version. It also sounds pretty good to me!
thank you, fe! They're all made of red brick over here, so maybe it originates from here! 😀
Your daughter knows your colour palate of course. It looks so lovely with the contrast of that amazing Western Australian beach. I have that pattern too and would love a tutorial about how YOU make the tankini. I have and idea of how I would do it but as you are an expert….
I am so the same with my swimmers (togs for me – I feel so posh saying bathers), do my laps then dry them in the back of the car, a machine wash every now and again, and then new ones when they die… I just bought the Jalie patterns (my first) so I'm looking forward to playing with them and anticipating new togs.
Great story and great tankini! I too really love the colour on you and think it was a great choice to go with it 🙂
Great tankini and good choice Cassie! Thanks so much for your comment on my blog the other day – I am doing ok, finished my radio treatment and don't have to go back to hospital until the new year. Just trying to get back to normal now – what ever that is!
Brilliant colour, and that style suits you so well.
I'm afraid I am sticking to Zoggs for the moment. My swimming style is too much to think about without being concerned what my cozzy is doing!
Cassie picked a gorgeous color! Sienna has her summer hair cut. 🙂
thank you Judi! and yes, she's much happier with her new 'do 🙂
Cassie is quite right, the suit is very flattering, and you are by no means built like a brick! LOL!! And.. sigh… give Siena a hug and rub for us, she is just wonderful, I love seeing her in your pictures.
There is no denying that this is a gorgeous color on you! Love it!
You are one gorgeous brick. That is a great swimming set. Jo x
Perfect color! Sometimes other people know our taste so well! My mom and sister recently picked out a sweater knit for me and were spot on. 😉
You're right, your daughter had very good taste – they look wonderful on you! (Now excuse me while I curl up and sob at the memory of summer)
You're right, your daughter had very good taste – they look wonderful on you! (Now excuse me while I curl up and sob at the memory of summer)
I'm sure that quite a few of us (even in the USA) know that brick comment well enough to finish it – and, more than likely, your mother as well 😉 Love the bathing suit/swim suit – great color for you (and Uluru)
Nice ! A very beautiful swimming set!
Your daughter picked a beautiful color that looks gorgeous on you!
The colours of that first photo are just stunning. Your daughter chose well and you made a beautiful 2 piece. I didn't realize it was a two piece until you mentioned it. Very clever of you! ( I see your dog got the summer haircut.)
I had always assumed you were NOR, since you do so much shopping at Fabulous Fabrics. Obviously not if Leighton Beach is local to you! 🙂
Love the bathers and the colour, Cassie did a great job picking it out. I hadn't realised Fabulous Fabrics had swim fabrics, I'll have to check them out next time I'm in there.
Gorgeous! Your sweet daughter has excellent taste. She clearly comes by it honestly. 🙂
I love it! It's such a great color too.
Gorgeous colour and this style really suits you. So lovely to read an Australian sewing blog (I live in Adelaide(. Love ANY sewing blog but reading an Australian one seems to further legitimise my own interest in sewing! Pam
It is a beautiful color!
Lovely swimsuit in your perfect colour. Beautiful contrast with the blue of the ocean and sky.
Please write a tutorial on how you adapted this! I love it!
Gorgeous! I love that your daughter chose the fabric! She chose well! That color is SO you, and flatters your coloring 100%
Yay for your 2016 togs! I love the colour – so luxurious! And Sienna looks like a teeny puppy with her wool shorn!
She chose very wisely! You trained her well!
Love them and Cassie did a perfect job of choosing the colour.
Yes please write the tutorial: I would love to know what "first principles" actually means in pattern drafting terms: also, while I'm asking, where did you learn those principles and methods? Please please please!!!!!
Trying to learn as much as I can about patternmaking. Excuse me for pushing.
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