Sponsored Post- The Fabric Fairy Swim fabric featuring Jalie Diane (3893) Tank Swimsuit

Happy January 2020! New Year, new start, new RESOLUTIONS! However, this post isn't about New Year's resolutions- rather, it's about a goal that my almost 10 (I can hardly believe that she'll be TEN in less than a month...!!) set at the beginning of her swim season...

Back in September 2019, with a full year of competition swimming under her belt, Missy was asked by her fourth grade teacher to make some goals for herself in the new school year. One of her goals was to make a "BB time" (a certain qualifying time that allows her to swim in age group sectionals for her region). Her two best strokes are the backstroke and butterfly. She had six chances in six meets to make it happen... and she did!! She made her qualifying "BB time" in her third meet (and very first away meet!) in 50y backstroke!! Woohoo!! I couldn't be prouder of her hard work, dedication, and practice! She definitely has a sense of athleticism that she clearly didn't inherit from me!

Now, because Missy swims year-round and because she is literally in the pool three to four days a week, it should go without saying that she goes through A LOT of swimsuits! A LOT! While I cannot sew her competition suits (those are strictly regulated- that's a good thing!), I do enjoy sewing her practice suits- it's her chance to show off her individual personality in a pool full of mermaids and sharks. ;) 

As my sewing has evolved and Missy has matured, I find that having her personally select fabrics makes the whole process more enjoyable for all. Missy's current favorite colors are teal and purple. So, when she laid eyes on The Fabric Fairy New World Nylon Spandex Swimsuit fabric, it was LOVE at first sight! It's just perfect and eye-popping on the Jalie (3893) Diane Tank Suit (my go-to swimsuit pattern- the pattern comes together easily, is a great pattern to mix and match fabrics and is stays in place during practice)! I coordinated it with the White Pindots on Laribe Nylon Spandex Swimsuit fabric, also from The Fabric Fairy. I fully lined the suit in swimsuit lining also from The Fabric Fairy Now, she's ready for the pool in her mama-made!

***Disclosure: "I did receive free fabrics from The Fabric Fairy. The opinions expressed here are my own."***

****This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small percentage of the sale.****

Basically Jalie Blog Tour- Swim Basics

#3889 (Melanie Kimono) and #3134 (Racerback Swimsuit)

Hello, lovely readers and welcome to my stop on the Basically Jalie Blog Tour! The Basically Jalie Blog Tour features over twenty bloggers, over the course of a week, using Jalie patterns as a wardrobe staple. Since February is my daughter's birthday month (!!) and since my daughter also swims competitively, we took Jalie to the pool! :)

Today, I'm featuring the #3889 (Melanie Kimono) and #3134 (Racerback Swimsuit). One of the (many) reasons that I love to sew up Jalie patterns is the fact that all Jalie patterns include 27 sizes- from toddler size 2 all the way to women's size 22 (US). That's a HUGE size range included in the price of one pattern. For a point of reference, I sewed up a size "O" in both patterns.

#3134 (Racerback Swimsuit)

For the #3134 (Racerback Swimsuit), I didn't deviate from the pattern. I also didn't include the optional piping. Swimsuits (in general), can be difficult and time-consuming to piece together and sew. However, I find them greatly satisfying once completed. Plus, if I'm really honest, I really love the fact that I don't have to iron/press anything when sewing with swim fabric (haha!). ;-) 

#3889 (Melanie Kimono)

For the #3889 (Melanie Kimono), I used a thick, mystery, border knit (I know, I know- the pattern suggests drapey wovens- I'm a rebel ;-). The fabric is a mix between a french terry and maybe a type of not-so-stretchy sweatshirt material- perfect for a chilly swimmer getting out of the pool, in between heats. Because I was cutting around that GORGEOUS border print, I did have to piece together the belt and I used ribbon for the belt loops. I LOVE how the Melanie Kimono came together- enclosed neckline seams and easy-to-wear drop shoulder sleeves.

Also, thanks to my sew sister Ti, of Simply by Ti, I want to highlight the great swim fabric that I received from her online shop. The black and pink swimsuit fabric is thick and sturdy- just want you need in swim material. It was easy to sew up and didn't fall apart while assembling and sewing. Shipping from Simply by Ti (WY) to myself (NC) was fast and prompt. I would defiantly order from Simply by Ti, again.

#3889 (Melanie Kimono) and #3134 (Racerback Swimsuit)

So, whether you are sewing for everyday, or, for a specific sport such a swimming; Jalie patterns are a great option! If you go to their website, you can even go ahead and read through the instructions BEFORE purchasing (and, remember, each pattern includes a huge size range of 27 sizes). Feel free to be inspired by the other bloggers and sewists on the Basically Jalie Blog Tour by checking out their links, below. Happy Sewing!

#basicallyjalie

GIVEAWAY!

Are there some Jalie patterns you've been itching to get? Now's your chance to WIN YOUR JALIE WISHLIST! Head over to Jalie's website, create an account, add your favorite patterns to your wishlist, and complete the rafflecopter form below (patterns must be added by February 12, 2019 11:59pm EST to be eligible). Incomplete entries will be eligible for fabric prizes only. For extra entries, join our Jalie sewalong! Make a Jalie "basic" between January 28 and February 12 and share it on Instagram with hashtag #basicallyjalie and/or in the Basically Jalie Album in the Sewing with Jalie Facebook group. We are so grateful to our generous sponsors who have teamed up to provide the following prizes (please stop by their shops and show them some love!):

Grand Prize (Worldwide) Win Your Jalie Wishlist - Up to $100 CAD in patterns! Discovery Trekking Outfitters - One (1) x 50 USD gift card D&H Fabrics co. - One (1) x $50 USD gift card

Sewalong Prize (Continental USA only) Win Your Jalie Wishlist - Up to $25 CAD in patterns! The Sewciety - One (1) Subscription box (value: $48 USD) Simply By Ti - One (1) x $20 USD gift card

Sewalong Prize (Worldwide, excluding Continental USA) Win Your Jalie Wishlist - Up to $25 CAD in patterns! PatternReview.com - One (1) x $30 USD gift card Discovery Trekking Outfitters - One (1) x 50 USD gift card

(Note: gift cards exclude shipping unless otherwise stated on sponsor website)

Enter the Sweepstakes Here!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Blogger Lineup

Be sure to visit these talented sewing bloggers during the tour:

Wednesday, Feb 6 - The Petite Sewist | auschick sews | Replicate then Deviate | Deepika Blogs

Thursday, Feb 7 - Sew What Yvette | Sew Cucio | Shalini's Sewing Space | Curtiepie | A Jennuine Life

Friday, Feb 8 - SeamsLikeStyle | It's Liesel | SewSophieLynn | Danvillegirl Sewing Diary | Skirt Fixation

Monday, Feb 11 - The Crafting Fiend | Sprouting JubeJube | its sew colorful | Diskordia's Curvy Sewing

Tuesday, Feb 12 - All Things Katy! | BigFlyNotions | needle and the belle | Zoopolis

Phee Swim Week 2018- Featuring patterns from Cole's Corner and Creations and Treasurie

Summertime, here we come!! Missy is all set to hit the pool in her new swimwear using Phee Fabrics Heathered Hot Pink Circular Knit and Leopard Print nylon spandex!

The fabrics from Phee Fabrics were PERFECT for sewing up a Cole's Corner and Creations Bow-a-licious bathing suit and Treasurie Kimono (cover-up). I love the fun bow feature of the Cole's Corner and Creations Bow-a-licious bathing suit! Now, technically, the Treasurie Kimono is meant for wovens but it translated perfectly using the Phee Fabrics Leopard Print nylon spandex (no mods, or, sizing up is necessary).

The Phee Fabrics Heathered Hot Pink Circular Knit and Leopard Print nylon spandex fabrics were easy to work with and both are antimicrobial and moisture-wicking (aka- exactly what you need in swimwear). The fabrics are soft and cool to the touch. The Phee Fabrics Heathered Hot Pink Circular Knit and Leopard Print nylon spandex wash up perfectly, as well! We've already worn- and washed- this suit and cover-up a couple times and they STILL look just as bright and vibrant as the day we took these pictures!

***Disclosure: The opinions expressed here are my own."***

****This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small percentage of the sale.****

Fish In Action

Lil' Miss recently switched swim classes. Now, instead of going in the mornings, she attends a Monday evening swim class. One of the benefits of the switch is the fact that we can pick Ted up from work (on our way to lessons) and he gets to watch her swim. Part girl, part fish...

Wordless Wednesday- Swim, Fishy, Swim!

Sentence of the Day- Too Tight

Yesterday was the first day of Katy's new swim class. She was pulling on her one-piece bathing suit and it was getting all twisted and tangled. Exasperated, Katy exclaimed, "This bathing suit is too taut! That means it's too tight!"

Adventures In Swimming (Cont.)

Last May 2013, we enrolled Katy in swim lessons at Open Water Adventures. She had a rough start that involved lots unpleasant moments for both she and I. However, she ended last summer really well- diving for dive sticks in the shallow end of our pool, doing and simple doggie paddle and able to swim enough to jump off the edge of the pool and swim back, unassisted.

Fast forward to the beginning of this summer 2014. Katy had regressed a bit over the winter (no access to pool during the cold, winter months). So, I signed her back up for more lessons. Because I wanted her to have the same teacher as last year, Ms. Rachel, we had to wait until the end of June for an opening.

Now, one month later, her teacher said that Katy can move up into the more advanced class! Talk about progress! Typically, the more advanced class that she is moving up to is for the five and older set. However, Ms. Rachel feels like Katy is more than capable of progressing. Yay! We'll finish out the summer in the new class.

This may not seem like a big deal to the outside observer, but having seen the beginning (kicking, thrashing) to where we are today (requesting to dive into the 15 ft. water, using her "windmill" arms and swimming so fast that her teacher has to actually SWIM- opposed to just walking alongside her- to catch up), this is a HUGE improvement!! So proud of our Lil' Miss!

Pool Time with Daddy!

"Towels, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and floatie.... check, check, check, check and check!"

"We're ready to go to the pool!"

"I love spending time with my Daddy!"

Little Fish

Katy started swim lesson at Open Water Adventure back in May. She goes once a week for thirty minutes, each time. There are three, three-year olds in the class to one instructor. The first lesson went okay. The second, third and fourth were HORRIBLE. There was kicking (and not the good kind)! There was screaming! There was thrashing and moaning and all-over bad behavior.

Then, June rolled around and suddenly, Katy was a different person! She was following directions, kicking (in a good way!) and paddling. Katy calmly floated on her back and she gladly jumped into the water.

By mid-July, Katy decided that she'd actually SWIM... on her own! Now, we're not talking "pretty" swimming, but she does enough kicking and doggie paddle to keep herself afloat. When she starts to get tired, she rolls over to her back to float. Right before our trip to St. Augustine, FL, at the end of July, Katy finally decided to put her head in the water and swim underwater. She is so much smoother and more graceful swimming under the water.

Today, we found a lone dive stick at the bottom of our community pool (left behind by a neighbor). Katy surprised me by wanting to go after the stick. So, I let her go for it. It took her a couple of tries, but she finally swam down far enough (it was in the three-foot section of the pool) to retrieve it. Once she got the stick the first time, she kept tossing it in and then diving in after it. In a word (and I'm totally biased ;-), she was AWESOME!

So, at least I can be satisfied in knowing that the money we spend on swim lessons is being well-spent. She may have her bad swim lessons (what was up with last week's meltdown?!), but she's learning in between the tantrums!

We've got a little fish on our hands! Swim Katy, swim!

Swimming Lessons

Ready to swim!

Today, Katy had her first swim lessons at Open Water Adventures (OWA). It took me awhile to find swim lessons that were a) affordable, b) close and convenient and c) a small teacher/student ratio. I asked around to several friends and other moms in the MOMs Club. I asked around in our neighborhood. Then, I heard back from one neighbor saying that her kids went to OWA. Then, I found out that another friend had taken both of her children there. Finally, another neighbor happened to mention OWA. After so many recommendations, I was sold and signed Lil' Miss up for Tuesday morning lessons.

Originally, I thought that OWA was just a scuba place (it IS a scuba place)- I just didn't know that they did swim lessons, too. I'd seen them along one of the major roads here in the Charlotte area, but never gave them even a passing glance.

This morning, Katy suited up and off we went- only a five minute drive from home- so close! She was so excited about the lessons and her new suit and goggles. She even told her Preschool teacher, yesterday, that she had swim lessons, today.

The class consists of three children to one female teacher. I specifically signed Katy up with a female swim instructor to try and make her a little more comfortable in the water. Because the pool heater wasn't working, the instructor, Miss Rachel, had all of the kids put on wetsuits. Of course, Lil' Miss very LOUDLY proclaimed her disdain for the black, unflattering wetsuits in favor of her new, girly, striped suit. Not a good start. Then, when the other children jumped right into the water, Katy clung to my leg and refused to get into the pool. AHHHH- this wasn't exactly going as planned...!

Another instructor, Ms. Lynn swooped in to give Katy a little more individual attention and I excused myself from the pool deck and viewed the lessons from the separate scuba shop. I hoped that if I were absent, Katy would warm up to the situation and participate in the lesson. Sure enough, after a little coaxing and some peer pressure from the other children (the one other little girl, Molly, kept coming over to Katy), Katy got right in. Katy followed the instructor's directions and managed to do some floating, kicking and blowing bubbles. Of course, Katy enjoyed the jumping into the water from the side of the pool part, best!

So, in conclusion, we've got a ways to go, but at least she got into the water and participated  The whole lesson wasn't a complete wash (pun, intended :-). Metaphorically speaking, jumping in is the hardest part.... :-)