MBJM Swim Shorties and Pool/Beach Poncho

It's been a c-r-a-z-y week! Two of our girls are playing softball, we're coaching both of their teams, school has come to an end, our youngest had a theater performance and preparing for another one... and the list goes on. C-R-A-Z-Y. I've totally earned this upcoming 3 day weekend! In all this craziness, I tested three new patterns. Two were by Sarah with Made By Jack's Mum and perfect for the coming summer.

First, I made the swim shorties in size 12. These are designed to be low-rise, lined and fit with the idea of competition swimming. They are still great for everyday swimwear. The shorties have the option of ruched sides, or plain. The pattern instructions include steps for increasing the rise if you want them to fit a little higher in the back. The last option is to fully enclose the crotch gusset seams, or regular seams. I was intrigued by the fully enclosed gusset seams, so that is what I did. Sarah did an excellent job explaining and documenting the steps to accomplish this.

The shorties require very little swimsuit fabric, powermesh/swimsuit lining, and elastic. The legs are hemmed while the waist has swimsuit elastic. I made these shorties with leftover fabric from a mermaid tail.

The trickiest part is handling the fabric. Basting is an extra step, but is totally worth it. It really does help hold the fabric in place as you serge or sew the seams. Swim fabric is super slippery.

There's our cat. Her name is Tiger. She has absolutely no stripes. Maybe that is why she is so hateful. She likes to get in on the photo shoots. Expect to see more of her.

The second pattern, also by Made By Jack's Mum, is the Pool/Beach Poncho in size 11/12. This was a lot of fun. It was a breeze to make. The poncho can be made with or without sleeves. It's more of a dolman style, so there are no actual sleeves to sew in. The hood is lined with knit while the poncho is made with fleece. The instructions are straight forward and clear. You an finish the poncho with bias tape or do what I did, and hem it. This is meant to be loose-fitting and easy to put on and take off. After all, it's meant to be a cover-up to throw on for coverage, warmth, drying, etc. It serves this purpose very well.

My daughter put it on and exclaimed it was so comfortable she wanted to wear it as a nightgown. She immediately went looking for pockets. The pattern does not include instructions to add any, but it will be easy enough to add a kangaroo pocket. I could rip the seams and insert pockets into the seam, but I hate to rip seams. Why undo something that is perfectly fine? Maybe for the next one I'll put pockets in the seam.

The final version of the pattern includes added length to what is pictured. A little more would have been great, but really, this length is perfect for how this will be used. It's always easier to shorten something. It's more difficult to add length once the fabric is cut.

Both of these patterns include layers so you can save ink and paper by printing only the size(s) you need.

I could have used any knit for the hood lining. I used the swimsuit fabric. An opportunity to use up some of those fabric scraps is always welcomed. I could have done a better job aligning the stripes at the side seams. It'll be ok :)

Along with the release of the poncho and shorties, a rashie shirt and swim romper are also being released. The patterns release today (May 25, 2017) and will be on sale through Monday May 29, 2017! Use the code HITTHEBEACH to receive 25% off the patterns. With the same code, you will receive 10% swimsuit fabric! You will want some of the fabulous fabrics and a few of these patterns to kick-off your summer!

Fabric can be purchased here -> www.etsy.com/uk/shop/MBJMfabric

Patterns can be purchased here >- www.etsy.com/uk/shop/MadeByJacksMum