Hi my name is Katy and I am a liiiiiiiiiiittle bit excitable. How so? Glad you asked.
First…it’s been super busy around the McKinley world. But I saw a call for bloggers for the Raspberry Creek Fabrics “Suit Up for Summer” tour and I couldn’t have signed up any faster. AND THEN….I originally had only planned on making two suits (two tops, two bottoms) but I forgot how little of fabric swimwear takes. After I realized that four 1/2 yards of fabric could make me 4 tops and 4 bottoms — I bought more elastic and got to work.
I super duper like mixing prints and patterns. And the best part about Raspberry Creek swim fabrics is that they print in-house and design what they carry. So the colors are really all coordinating…you just have do decide which prints speak the most to you.
These are the four that called my name:
Can you blame me? They’re all bright and fun and perfect for mixing amongst each other! I was so excited when I realized that I had enough to make all of these suits. Because I ended up with SIXTEEN different combinations of swimwear. I don’t think I’ve ever had that many swim options in my entire life.
I la-la-love the Fierce Bra from Patterns for Pirates, so I decided that’s what I needed for my swim top. The double straps are not only adorable, but they really help give me a little extra “umph” in the boob lift department. Each top I created was from that same pattern….no regrets what-so-ever!
The bottoms were all mostly the Busy Bee Swim Bottoms. But I did make the striped bottoms in the Hello Sailor pattern. I am a sucker for a high-waisted swimsuit. I like having two-pieces but really can’t brave showing too much skin, so these types of patterns are a huge life saver for me.
Because the weather still isn’t exactly warm outside in WV, and the fact that I didn’t have the energy to take photos of every single pairing, here’s a dorky Katy style video to get you through the day!
Before you go, make sure to hit up the rest of the blog tour members! I can’t even begin to tell you how incredible the things that they made were! (Quick note: the links won’t go live until the day that they’re scheduled for. So if they are dead ends right now — you’re just too early. Come back and check it out in a day or too!)
Oh! AND! You can use the code SWIMTOUR for 15% off swim fabrics at Raspberry Creek Fabrics!! Go do it! (There’s a blueberry fabric that needs to be MINEEEEE.)
Monday: Sew Mary Mac |Â Merritts Makes |Â Wild + Wanderful |Â Call Ajaire
Tuesday: Made by Kates |Â Violet and Jewels |Â Sweet Mama Life |Â All Things Katy!
Wednesday: Intensely Distracted |Â Pins & Pinot |Â My Heart Will Sew On |Â The Petite Sewist
Thursday: All My Spare Time |Â Kara Metta |Â Handcrafted by RED |Â Sincerely, Shantelle
Friday: Replicate Then Deviate |Â That’s Sew Kari |Â Desert Blooms |Â Boo + Lu
HUUUUUGE thanks to the sponsors for this year’s tour!
Titchy Threads |Â Sew A Little Seam |Â Simple Life Pattern Co. |Â Pattern for Pirates |Â Ellie and Mac
Lowland Kids |Â Gingham Hive |Â Striped Swallow Designs |Â Honeydew Kisses |Â Little Lizard King
Jennuine Designs |Â Greenstyle Creations |Â Made for Mermaids |Â Call Ajaire |Â Hey June |Â Boo Designs!
Sofiona Designs |Â Love Notions |Â Lil Luxe Collection |Â Jalie |Â Sweet Red Poppy
[Patterns: Fierce Bra | Busy Bee Bottoms | Hello Sailor Swim Bottoms, from Patterns for Pirates
Fabric:Â Orange/Black Leopard | Black/White Stripe | Black/White Polka Dot | Pink Vertical Stripe, from Raspberry Creek Fabrics
These fabrics and suits are just perfect on you! And your photos are so cute! I can just hear you giggling as you take them!
Swim photos aren’t exactly my favorite photos to take — so I tried to have a little fun with it. 😉 Thanks Mary!
Just love your makes! I also need to make me a suit this year!
Thank you! Once I learned that it’s possible to sew your own perfectly fitting swimwear — I haven’t ever had to do the “dreaded” swimsuit shopping since. Whew!
I need those stripes and animal print so bad! They’re all so cute together!
Do ittttttttt!!
Ahh!!! I can’t look at all these photos without smiling! The suit combinations, your smile, and that balloon backdrop all radiate so much joy!
I don’t have access to a pool, and it’s still gross and brown outside….so I thought some balloons would be fun! ha. thank you!
Ugh Ive got no time with a seven month old to sew my own swimwear. (and I’ve never sewn swimwear) but also I just found a perfect fabric!
Just do it a little bit at a time — summer isn’t here yet. You deserve some self care sewing. 🙂
Maybe I’ll give it a go after I finish my college class in May! Now to find a good pattern for my post c-section body…
So much fun!! The balloons were a genius backdrop! I am loving this swim style on you and it’s great seeing it in so many different prints. I’m still working on my swim for the summer so this is huge inspiration.
I never knew I’d like sewing swimwear as much as I do! Can’t wait to see what you make!
You are a ROCKSTAR!! That’s an awesome mini capsule you created. Absolutely love, love, love it!
Thank you! It was totally by accident but I’m really loving the endless options. 🙂