Kidchella Festival Style Swimwear DIY
By Meagan Mora from AvasLookBook.com, special for CraftyChica.com
I’m so excited to be back! As always, thank you for having me, Kathy! Today, I’m here to share some pool-side sewing fun! This swimsuit for Ava is inspired by the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival happening in California this month. Even if you can’t attend the event, you can still rock the chic festival style – and so can your kids! Can you believe there are more than 4,000 posts on Instagram with the #kidchella hashtag? Here’s a way to create a cute festival style swimsuit ensemble for a little girl.
If you’ve never made a swimsuit, it may sound a little intimidating. I promise it’s much easier than you’d think. I’m going to talk a little about some pattern recommendations, fabric resources, and how my experience went with making Ava’s swimsuit.
First off, let’s talk about patterns. The pattern I used today was the Cosi Swimsuit by Sewpony Vintage. I LOVE this pattern. I would recommend this pattern above all else. There are SEVEN views, that’s right, you can make SEVEN different swimsuits with this one pattern. Plus, the size range is from 6 months to 10 years, so this pattern will most definitely meet all your needs. It has great easy to read instructions, and full color pictures to help you out along the way.
A few other patterns I think would also be great are this one by Kwik Sew which looks like a great one to show off a fabulous print, this one by Peek-a-boo pattern shop for a rash guard, and this one also by Peek-a-boo Pattern shop for some board shorts for boys. I don’t think you can go wrong with any of those choices.
Now, on to the fabric, my favorite! Swimsuit fabric is different from regular knit fabric. Instead of stretching just two ways, it needs to stretch four ways. Basically, any way you attempt to stretch swim suit fabric, it will! There are some really awesome swimsuit fabric choices out there nowadays. I put together a little list of some great online sources to purchase swim suit fabric from.
- The Fabric Fairy
For the swimsuit I made Ava, I used the Cosi swimsuit pattern, view C. The only change I made was to omit the leg ruffles. View C is the most basic, design wise, of this pattern. I really wanted to show off the fabric, so it felt like a great choice. I used a floral scuba knit from Emma One Sock.
It’s much thicker than regular swimwear fabric, almost like neoprene. I originally bought the fabric to make something for myself. But, when I was getting ready to decide what fabric I wanted to use for Ava’s swimsuit I came across it and felt really inspired. I’ve seen some higher end designers make swimsuits out of scuba fabric so I thought, why not?! I was a little nervous it wouldn’t be stretchy enough, so I fully lined it in swimsuit lining.
That really gave it the support it needed, because it ended up stretching plenty enough. I constructed the suit almost entirely with my serger, which made it a quick sew. Don’t freak out if you don’t have a serger though, you can 100% make this with you’re regular sewing machine! Just use the knit stitch (the Lightning bolt looking one) and a ball point needle.
Here is a video tutorial I found on YouTube!
In my opinion, the most challenging part of making a bathing suit is attaching the elastic around all the openings. It’s definitely do-able though. The pattern has great instructions for walking you through it. Just go slow and remember, there are few mistakes in sewing that are permanent, that’s what seam rippers are for!
I topstitched the elastic with a zig zag stitch to finish it all off. You can use a double needle, or cover stitch machine to topstitch two straight rows, but I prefer the Zig Zag.To bring it all together, I designed and sewed a cover up for Ava using a neon coral crocheted lace.
Because, what’s a pool-side look without a cover up? I really love the way it turned out, what about you? Would you buy something like this for the little girls in your life?
I’m thinking about making some to sell, so keep an eye out on my blog!
To complete the festival-style look, I added a floppy hat with an ombré outer brim, really fun fringe sandals, and some tortoise shell sunnies.
I hope you make some amazing swimsuits this summer. It may sound intimidating, but you can do it! I believe in you.
Thank you again for having me, Kathy. I always have a blast!
Don’t forget to come visit me over on my blog www.AvasLookbook.com for more sewing inspiration!
I topstitched the elastic with a zig zag stitch to finish it all off. You can use a double needle, or cover stitch machine to topstitch two straight rows, but I prefer the Zig Zag.
What style! She has such gorgeous hair!
Thanks Rachel!! 🙂