We are fully feeling summer here in Atlanta, so I had to bring some summer to this edition of Work It: 12 Months, 1 Pattern, No Repeats! I can’t believe it is already June. Everyone is going on their summer holiday. Some are going away for their kid’s sports events, some whisking away to exotic places. I just want to go to the beach. Almost any beach. It is my happy place. Give me some sand and the sound of water lapping, and I am instantly relaxed and completely stress free. So, this month’s Work It 5 Out Of 4 Patterns Diane Joggers are swim shorts!! That’s right, I turned the joggers into swimwear.
As always, we have to talk about this fabric. Sly Fox has the best swim fabric that I have ever worked with. I was completely blown away when it arrived. It is thick and soft. The colors are completely gorgeous, and, as always, true to the website pics. I feel completely supported and covered, even though I’m in swimwear. I did not add their power mesh, but I totally need to try it. There are just not enough words to rave about the quality of this swim fabric.
I haven’t worn swim separates since I started sewing for myself. I was so thrilled with the ability to make a one piece that actually fit, I forgot how convenient separates are! So, I took this opportunity to not only make swim shorts, but versatile shorts!! Adding these ruching ties to the side means I can wear them as full shorts, or ruche it up for some booty delight!
Obviously, I had to make a swim top to match. This plaid swim is so fun and pretty! Plus, I love the lighter color on top, so I don’t overheat in the sun. (Don’t worry, I plaster on that sunscreen. I have plenty of freckles already!) The navy stripe matches the navy solid PERFECTLY!!! I know that isn’t unexpected, but it just makes me so happy because I could use a scrap from my shorts to do these inset panels!
I chose the Rosana for the swim top because I love the unique shaping with the ruched shorts and wanted a cute peplum skirt on the top. Now, not only do I love sewing a one-piece suit, but am reminded how much I adore two-piece swimwear. You know I’m going to make other tops to match these shorts! (I’m actually eyeing up the Party Lights and wondering how much swim knit is too much for my stash!) And, I think I have enough scraps to make some plaid bottoms!
This is definitely my most ambitious hack yet, and I can’t wait to show you what is still to come! For more info on how I hacked these shorts and added great support to this top, head on over to Sarcastic Sewist and check out Edition 6 of Work It!. Don’t forget to let me know what you think!
Stephanie <3
I hope you’ll join me over at sarcasticsewist.com to follow my 2019 blog series, Work It: 12 Months, 1 Pattern, No Repeats!, where I sew up 5 Out Of 4 Patterns Diane Joggers once every month in a new way, with a different fabric from Sly Fox Fabrics! I’ll be tackling many of the options included in the pattern as well as small (and not so small) hacks, in different types of fabrics to create 12 unique bottoms, from shorts to pants and some fun extras thrown in, just for fun.
Stephanie Troemel learned to sew from her grandmother when Stephanie was a little girl. She loves a good challenge, like pattern hacking, equally as much as she likes day-to-day sewing. When Stephanie isn't sewing, you can probably find her cooking, reading, or curled up with her kitten.