Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Announcing the Summer Swimalong

As the mercury rises and summer approaches, thoughts begin to turn to beaches and lounging poolside, and you know what that means.... Swimsuit season!! The RTW community has taught us to hate swimsuit season (we won't get started on the body image issues there), but we sew. We can have the suit of our dreams - one that fits both our personal style and our body - with just a little time and effort. Leila of Three Dresses Project and I would love to bring you along as we plan, assemble and execute the swimsuits of our dreams!
When you see this banner on the blog, you'll know it's time for a SwimAlong post. I'll also be posting reminders here to make sure that you catch all the action going on over at Leila's blog.
We have so much going on for this SwimAlong, that we couldn't cram it all into one month, so we'll be planning, fitting and stitching up our suits all through the months of May and June. I personally think the hardest part of sewing swimwear is getting over the fear, so hopefully we'll give plenty of time and encouragement so that you'll be zipping out swimsuits before you know it! We have a lot of fun things planned for you all, including some amazing guest posters, so you definitely want to be in on this party.
If you peek up at the tool bar at the top of the blog, you'll notice a new tab labelled "SwimAlong!" You'll find the full schedule of posts there. As we go, I'll link up to each post and add resources (websites, books, favorite online shops, etc) as we reveal them to you. Hopefully this tab will serve as a resource, whenever you are sewing swimwear. This tab will remain a part of my blog. If you've on a mobile device, just click on the bar at the top that says "Home" for a pull down menu.
One essential resource that I want to highlight here is our Flickr group. Sewing and fitting swimwear can be pretty personal, so we wanted to have a safe, welcoming place where we can talk fitting, share resources and post pictures without worrying about Flickr creeps or body shaming. For this reason, the group is private, but we want to include you! If you'd like an invitation to the group, please leave your Flickr handle as a comment on this post and Leila or I will add you. Be sure to check your FlickrMail. The link to join will be there.
SwimAlong 2013 
I hope you'll join us in our SwimAlong adventure! Grab the button above for your blog, or you can use the image hosted in the Flickr group. We're really looking forward to demystifying swimwear sewing. It really is fun and easy. You can do it! Join us!

29 comments:

Shawn Stephenson Schumacher said...

Oh Katie so fun please include me creativeinspiraciones

Debi said...

Oh! Very exciting! I might just have a go! Thank you for extending it for two months!

Anonymous said...

Even though I probably won't be making a suit since I haven't been swimming in years, I look forward to the fun you guys have lined up in the schedule! Thanks for doing all the planning!

~ Brooke

Cindy said...

Hi Katie, Can you add me to the flickr group (beach_mom)? I'm definitely comfortable making swimwear for the kids but sewing one for me...not so much! But I have some patterns and fabric ready to give it a go.;)

Cindy

KID, MD said...

You are in!

KID, MD said...

I hope so! We'd love to have you play along. We have lots of vintage inspired goodies to share!

KID, MD said...

I'm so glad you're on board!

KID, MD said...

Yay! We can make our first Mommy suits together. It's time.

Ellen said...

How exciting! I'm hoping to get over my fear and have the courage to join along. Please add me to the flickr group: lnwmelon. Thanks for doing this!

Scruffybadger said...

Such great timing for me too!! It's also my sewlution, and I need to make sure I don't miss the summer by the time I get it Sussed! I do have my pattern though......

Catherine said...

I planned to try to make a swim suit this year... Had even pencilled it in for May/ June time... but had done nothing... so count me in! Thanks

Cari Homemaker said...

I have a ready-to-wear swimsuit I don't hate, but it only works for swimming. I want to make something more suitable for rafting (running shorts don't work, they just make one slippery to where my husband put me on the back of the raft last time we went so I'd stop falling off the front). Please add me to the Flickr group; I'm Cari Homemaker there.

Anonymous said...

This is lovely! Can you add me as well @ Pamcooksnow? Thanks!

Helen said...

Hi! I won't be making a suit (I've actually just bought one), but I'd live to follow along for future reference and to see how you guys get on! I'm grosgraingreen on Flickr.

Anonymous said...

Count me in too! amray22
Thanks!

KID, MD said...

You're in! Yay!

KID, MD said...

Hurrah! So glad you're joining us!

KID, MD said...

Perfect timing! We'll be here to cheer you on!

KID, MD said...

You're in! Sounds like you need some specialized gear. Can't wait to see what you come up with!

KID, MD said...

I can't find you on Flickr at that username. Perhaps your Flickr one is spelled differently? If you find me and add me as a contact (my username is kid_md) then I can add you to the group as well.

KID, MD said...

I sent you an invite. You're welcome to follow along and check back in whenever your ready for suit sewing. :)

Anonymous said...

Oh yes - and I must add swimwear for children. I have received some very specific instructions as to stripy/not stripy two piece/ one piece. My flickr is EJVC.

Tanit-Isis said...

Oh, you guys are tempting me. I have the fabric. I have the fixings... do I have the time? >_<

Jo said...

Would you add me, too, please? I probably won't make a suit this summer, but I'd love to learn anything there is to know about fitting one! My flickr is leetriplej

Anonymous said...

I just registered my interest on Leila's blog but I wanted to say "I'm in" here too. This is a great idea for a sewalong and all your planned informative posts will be a great resource for now and the future. Thanks.

Unknown said...

I too got all set up on Flickr through Leila but wanted to let you know I am excited! I have started a pinterest board full of inspiration!

Anonymous said...

I'm also participating in the Swimalong! Have been following along on Leila's blog, but wanted to post here, as well! Looks like fun. :)

Meigan said...

Add me! I'm clickawayinHYD on Flickr

Thanks
Meigan
http://getmystitchon.blogspot.com

tanyamaile said...

Hello! I would love to participate! I have a pattern and fabric to make a swimsuit and have not yet done it yet, so this will definitely push me to try! I would also like to join the flickr group. My flicker name is: tanyamaile