It's Getting Hot in Here - The Rebecca Page Vintage Savannah Bathing Suit Sewing Pattern Review

Surround yourself with inspiring things. 

Like the Rebecca Page Patterns Savannah Swimsuit!

With a sultry Vintage feel, the Savannah swim suit is flattering and form fitting.  Options include:

- Fully Lined
- One Piece
- Optional Back Straps
- Optional Skirt

I learnt the hard way (aka trusty seam ripper) to use 4 way stretch for both the exterior and lining fabrics. 

A 2 way stretch leads to an ill fitted suit that doesn't let you inside it easily. 

My fabric is the same inside and out - a cute Gingham Swim Suit fabric from Fabricville that was on sale a month or so ago. 

The waistline sits at my natural waist, and I wasn't sure how good my big thighs would look, but the rise of the bottoms is perfect coverage - not too high or too low. 

I LOVE the cut of the front bodice and bust - there are detailed instructions on how to modify the bust to fit yours properly.  If you normally do a bust adjustment on clothing, there is an extra full bust adjustment tutorial that you can download to help you get that perfect bust fit. 

For elastic (there's lots of it), I scored a great deal on amazon, making it about $0.50 a yard for a 75 foot roll vs the normal $4-5 for 2 yards!

Honestly, I'm using this elastic for non-swim garments too, as it's only about $0.05 more expensive than the non-swim elastic. 

Just remember to hold the elastic taut - don't pull it around the bodice or strap areas, as the suit won't fit quite right. 

And DO measure your low bust to natural waist to ensure you don't have to lengthen the front bodice pieces. 

I find the side even flattering - even with my little migraine-induced ponch. It hides the rolls in all the right places!  

The leg holes are the areas where you actually pull the elastic a bit more, as it's measured there. 

But only a little bit!  Too much pull will lead to weirdness. 

Next time I would make the back straps a bit longer so they sit higher up and are spaced out more evenly. They don't dig in, they just have a tendency to move towards the bodice band. 

Overall, it's a great swim suit that brings me back to a simpler time.  

And as per my first photo - it doubles as a bodysuit!  

Sew your swim up with Savannah today!

***Affiliate Links Above used - I love these patterns, and without the help of those who love their patterns, marketing would be extremely difficult for the pattern makers we love and learn to love. Affiliate links help with the hours, fabric, and tears that go behind testing each pattern in order to provide a real-person view on the patterns for you (and me!) 

Vintage Swim Wear - The Rebecca Page Bondi Bikini Sewing Pattern Review

Summer Lovin' Having a Blast!  

Get your Bikini Sew Jo on with the Rebecca Page Bondi Bikini.

With several options, you'll sew up this suit in no time. 

- Fully Lined

- Totally Flattering

- Halter Neck

- Diamond Shaped cut out and Front Bow detailing

- Optional Tankini or Bikini Length Tops

- Optional Regular or High Waisted Shorts

 

 

It's a fun suit, and stays on while you play in the water!

 

I especially like the shorts on it - just enough to cover up my big hips and thighs, making me feel my best. 

The back is one piece, and ties up at the neck into a comfortable halter style top

 


The front was actually pretty simple to sew up - but be warned, it does require a lot of swim elastic!  I found a huge roll of 1/4" swim elastic on Amazon for about 80% less than I'd spend on swim elastic by the 2-3 yards in store (at $0.50 a yard!), so it will do me some time for suits and even non-swim suits. 

The fabric was a special from Fabricland (sorry - it's sold out clearance now!), and sewed up amazingly. 

From the side, it's flattering with the high waisted bottoms and normal banded bikini top - the tankini version brings the top band down to meet the shorts 

If you haven't sewn swim fabric before, this is a lovely first time sew - and very forgiving.  

Just remember to use the proper stretch stitch, and take your time.  Don't actively pull the elastic (hold it tight - but don't tug) and the suit will sit on your body properly. 

Grab your Bondi Bikini Pattern Here, and start your summer right!

***Affiliate Links Above used - I love these patterns, and without the help of those who love their patterns, marketing would be extremely difficult for the pattern makers we love and learn to love. Affiliate links help with the hours, fabric, and tears that go behind testing each pattern in order to provide a real-person view on the patterns for you (and me!) 

It's Swim Season! What Are This Unicorn's Favourite Swim Sewing Patterns??

It's swim season, and time to update our swimwear yet again!

I put several suits through their paces last year, and still feel that they're stylish this season.

My favourite suits for my 5'-2" height, and curvy body are meant for working at our cabin land AND for playing in the water.

And I'm not afraid to match and mix different pattern designers patterns with each other, as I did with several of the patterns I'm going to share with you. 

I'll start with a more unknown designer - Savvy Patterns.


The Grace Tankini is stylish, and perfect for those of us who are self conscious of our legs, behinds, and middle areas.  Essentially, it's a perfect pattern for the average woman who wants to feel beautiful in her own skin.

Merlin and me enjoying the Grace Tankini!

For more details on Grace, pop over to my original Post.



Grace Tankini with Reversible Riptide Bottoms

Next up is my favourite go-to for Swim and active wear - 5 out of 4 Patterns.

See a pattern that you'd like to sew up with swim fabric? Cut pattern pieces out, and cut your swim fabric using said pattern pieces.

Now it's swim wear.

Which pieces do I love for swim wear in particular?


The Agility Tank

This is normally a workout tank, however, I saw it as a good opportunity to keep myself covered for working around camp, yet have the ability to jump into the Riviere Noire when I'm ready to play.

Sewing it up, the instructions are easy to follow, and Jessica (the designer) offers a lot of assistance within the pattern in case you get confused by the layering.



Agility Paired with my Reversible Riptides. Even little buddy Stryder (our Cockatiel) likes it!

I feel the most tedious part was the strap binding, but that's more because there was a lot of pinning, and triple checking to make sure the pieces were where they ought to be prior to putting in the final stretch stitches.

It was easy to sew with swim, as I went slow, and didn't pull on the fabric or binding excessively.

If you have scraps of swim wear, this is a good excuse to take your time to sew the Agility tank and clear up some of your coveted complimentary swim fabric.

You can also sew just the Sports Bra as a basic bikini top.

The Agility is FABULOUS at making your middle area look stunning, and you'll strut your stuff while wearing it.

Or maybe that's just me.

The Escapade Bikini Top

When you're feeling sassy and just want a bikini top, the Escapade comes to the rescue.

It also makes a great bra, and the pattern includes a tankini and dress length, so you can make a multitude of different outfits from one pattern.

I especially love the front bust ruching - it's a nice touch and not very difficult to sew up.

More on the Escapade here

Escapade and Reversible Riptides

Reversible Riptides

I admit I have two or 3 pairs of these that will be coming out of hibernation soon! 

The first pair I made, I used the maternity hack front (oops), but it still works for me. Husband says it makes my belly look cute.

Again, I was tempted to make this pattern because a) I have lunge & squat thighs, b) I have hips and a behind, c) I love ruching ties, and d) I prefer shorts style bathing suit bottoms.

The shorts use minimal fabric (as you can tell, I made the Agility Tank , Escapade Bikini Top, and Riptides from 1/2 a metre of this fabric, and I still have some left.)

The instructions are clear, however, the steps where putting the crotch portion together were a bit confusing. I asked in the 5 out of 4 Facebook Group for help, and thankfully the steps were explained to me, and I had that "Eureka," moment on how to sew these up.

Other than that part, they were a relatively easy sew, and I love that it gives you 2 bathing suit bottoms in one (aka the reversible part).

Not having a lining in the groin area doesn't bother my bits, and I'm looking forward to making updated Riptides with this year's fabric.

I recommend every woman needs at least one pair of these! 

Shenanigans Skort

A skort say ye?

Yes - a skort!

It has shorts built in AND a skirt that can have either a plain or ruffled hem on it.

AND for my purpose, I can safely float down the river at our camp without burning my legs (it's a 4 hour river float) - here's how

Sewing up the skort itself - again, the instructions were easy to follow, and I had no issues. I didn't even have to take out my seam ripper! 

George + Ginger's Daybreak Rashguard

This is an awesome creation that allows for me to work and be in the sun without getting burnt.

Side note: I burn even if I lather on sunscreen every half hour or hour in the sun. I fear the sun - my shoulders and knees REALLY fear the sun!

This rashguard can double as a top, but for my purposes, it works well as a Swim fabric top.

Sewing it up is easy to follow - the only head scratching parts would be the neck binding and the bottom hem binding.

Just pay attention and sew slowly, and you'll sew it up perfectly fine.

I opt for mid length and 3/4 length sleeves - and it seems to work well for me so far - no belly burns on my white pasty skin! 

For anyone who spends time in the sun and water, and wants that extra level of protection, this Rashguard is a MUST. It certainly saved my arms last summer, and will continue to do so this year and beyond.

Sew, choose your swim patterns, and you'll have the most flattering and stylish swim suit collection of all your friends!

Sew on (see what I did there??)

****Update March 2020****
A few more of my fave swim patterns are detailed the following blog posts:

- The Rebecca Page Bondi Bikini

- 5 out of 4's Alice High Rise Bottoms

- 5 out of 4's Key West Bikini & Tankini

- 5 out of 4's Rosanna Tankini and Top

- Rebecca Page's Vintage Savannah Suit