Saturday 17 June 2017

Back to Thinking About Summer Sewing

Part of the recommended physio exercises I was given these past few months was the suggestion to exercise in a pool. I already know of the benefits of exercising in a pool (easy on the joints, etc, etc) but I haven't done so because of one reason. 


I can't find a pool outfit that I would feel comfortable enough to exercise in. And they don't make swimsuits like they used to ~sigh~. I really want to find a board short. I haven't found a bathing suit shop here that sells ladies board shorts. And whenever I try to find one in a sporting good store I've been directed to the mens section because apparently they don't make them for women. And they don't look all that comfortable. The ones I find on the internet for women seem to sit lower than I would like them to sit on my body. I don't think I'm asking for much, am I?


Apparently not. According to an article in today's Globe and Mail, some men are finding that "ill-fitting and bland board shorts are unacceptable" as well. Tailored swimwear! Now, this is what I'm thinking about. Well, since I don't have $595 for a custom made swim shorts I think I'll just have to make my own. 

I've already been thinking about making my own swimwear for some time and have been searching high and low for fabric. Both Fabricland and Northwest Fabrics carry swimsuit fabric but not board short quality fabric. I guess there is not a lot of demand for this speciality fabric from the sewing community in a town with a famously short summer season. Luckily, The Fabric Fairy sells a wide range of colours and prints in board short quality fabrics that has me thinking that this project just might be possible.   

I really like the idea of a tailored board short but there is also another pattern for swim shorts that I might be willing to try, Jalie's swim shorts. These however are made from spandex but they have a wide waistband and are supposed to stay put in the water.   


It might be an option. You can't tell by the picture but they are described as having a raised waist for larger sizes where more coverage and support is needed and this pattern has been given wonderful reviews online. I might make it to the pool yet.  

Have you ever sewn swim / board shorts?  




5 comments:

  1. I buy my pool exercise clothing from swimsuitsforall.com and buy my bottom pieces from the chlorine-resistant section. For their price, it's not worth it for me to sew them. I haven't tried the regular shorts, but the bike shorts are awesome. I wear them under my swimsuit so I don't have to worry about my suit riding up while working out in the pool. If you have a long torso, the Longitude line is a great fit.

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  2. To add to my previous comment, I do sew pullover knit dresses to wear over my swimsuits on the way to/from the gym. They are better than coverups as no one can see through them, so I'm presentable to run errands before/after class. When I'm ready to go into the pool, I just slip the dress over my head and jump in. And it's a breeze to slip on afterwards when my body is still kinda sticky from the pool water. Easy peasy.

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  3. Have you looked at Lands End? Great selection/coverage options--their stuff is extremely well made and long lasting. ...though I love Jailie patterns and this one looks promising. Good luck!

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  4. Have you looked at KwikSew patterns? They have some lovely swimsuit options. It would be easy enough to lengthen the bottoms to more of a shorts length, if that is what you're going for.

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  5. I just made Jalie 3351 and LOVE it. I made size BB and the waistband sits at my belly button. The attached lining also helps provide support. I did lengthen it by 2" which was easy even though there are no lengthen/shorten lines. The pattern was impeccably-drafted and they've started putting the instructions with the illustrations which helps enormously. Would highly recommend it.

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