I fell in love with this awesome Hawaiian print lycra at Pacific Fabrics (I want more - anyone know of a lead?). I knew it was perfect for me because everyone had that, "OMG it's too bright" look on their faces.  I've also been wanting a Surfer style skirt: nylon, lycra, print, fun, the kind of thing you just put on over a swimsuit. 

So, I made Kwik-Sew K3672.  I really liked it, but the waist band to skirt resulted in some ruching and I wanted a smooth look.  Here it is with one layer of milliskin as a lining and K3672 straight out of the pattern.

I wore it over capris while shooting hoops and playing basketball. It was great, except that it kept shifting on my body and the hem would droop low in front and ride high in back. "Hi like my bum?" No, not really that high, but higher than I prefer. 

Then, I got the wise idea a) let out the waistband so it would be smooth and b) to put it on my dress form and shorten the hem to accommodate what was happening while wearing. The end result? I have a skirt that friggin looks like stage curtains. Short, almost too short in front and long in the back. The waist is smooth over my body, but now it's TOO loose. Maybe that's a result of my dancing. It's overall a great skirt, But it needs some alterations again. I topstitched the side and center seams so I'm a little reluctant to rip the seams out. 

I'd say, it's pretty awesome in the mood lighting at the dance studio. I GLOW. Hello amazing. 

In these 3 photos above, you can see the hemline changes much easier. It's also nice how the skirt doesn't have those odd lines that run vertically now that the waist is smooth. I love this skirt. I intended it only for wearing over capris. Though, next time, I'll make a smaller size in the hips to address the wrinkles. And, I'll add length to the back instead of taking away at the hem.  I know that's not the right way to alter patterns. But, I thought, why not. Just try it and experiment. Maybe that rule can be broken.  I'd say it can in the right way. 

To go along with my outfit, I also altered my Under Armor cross back tank by folding the hem up the entire amount of the bottom band. I'm much shorter in the torso and having it those 3" longer just ends up with baggy fabric hanging out at my hips. Not a good look. I like this alteration, but I'll take the band off and put it back on for my 2nd top like this. It was a quick fix so I had a top for dancing that night. 

Last, but far from least, is my hair. Since I began watching Mako Mermaids, I've been infatuated with braiding my hair.  I've long loved wearing flowers in my hair, but the braiding is a fun renewed trend.  My hair has been everything from Susan Powter blonde or pink / red and spikey to this length.  Braiding in fun and funky ways infuses me with the spirit of mermaids. I feel glamorous and playful. Plus, I look good and can dance (sweat) without hair in my way or without having my hair flop and look bad after 20 min. Win!

What's your latest hair or fashion infatuation?  Why? What do you just *love* about it?

Ever since Jalie Patterns came out with their Swim Short pattern, I've admired it. But, because it's so very short and the model is so very thin compared to my body type, I have shied away from it.  It's been years since I've worn shorts any higher than my knee. I'm nervous about my leg shape, and frankly too practical to even both with something that I have to fuss with (pull or tug down because it rides up between my legs) or if it results in leg chafing (shudder!). 

As a swimmer and a former water polo player, I'm no stranger to running around in my swimsuit.  I still feel at ease doing so when I fall back to the way I felt those days... "I don't care, I'm happy and comfortable and being silly running around in a swimsuit while you wear clothing is racy and weird and it's fun to me that you're shocked."  I used to run from the pool to the band room to get my oboe as swimming was my last class, then I had water polo practice right after. Had to get to the band room before it was locked for the night. Yes, I did practice my instrument.  Though, I'll admit I've pulled back from wearing any swimsuits in the last 5 years as my body gained some weight to help me through some health issues.  

So, as I looked at the pattern, I thought, "Well, screw it. I'm going to try these. If they're too short I'll just lengthen them. I want to go from sliding on water slides to walking around a water park and have a little short to cover my bum a little more than just my swimsuit. And, I want to go from car to stand-up paddling in the same outfit. These are really the thing I've been looking for."  So I bit the bullet and jumped in.    

Boy am I glad I did. I made these out of the same fabric as my Shelf Bra Cami as a muslin and the muslin worked out beautifully!  The length is just a tad short for running around town (meaning I'm still building my self confidence for wearing these to the grocery store).  But the length is absolutely perfect for swimming, water play and any water/land sport combos. In fact, I was tickled by how comfy the built-in panty is and by how well the back of the leg stayed down even when wet!  The fabric is a tad sheer when wet, but with the panty, it's no sweat!  There will be no flashing of underparts in these!  

I love that the Jalie team designed the larger sizes (I wore largest on my hips and graded to the next size down on my waist) so that the waist band comes up to the belly button.  This is such a comfy short that I plan to make some for lounging in.  As you can see, there are a couple fitting issues I could address if I want. But after a few emails exchanged with the awesome Jalie team, they let me know that these fit quite perfectly out of the pattern. Holy wow. That's a first!  

Next pair, I plan to bring the crotch closer to my body from the lower half of the front pieces.  The crotch is a little low.  As in, the design allows for a deeper, fuller body to fill the crotch curve than mine is.  My goal is to keep the shorts the same length, just slash and lift the crotch curve a little. The drag lines in my current version do go away if I lift the CF of the short, below the waist band.  But, that also affects the length of the shorts at CF. 

I might also consider making a fitted leg on my next pair. I'm really comfortable with a legging or shortie legging. So maybe I can make these the same, yet keep the neat side pocket and crossed side seam.