Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Summer project: new swim suits

A couple of years ago, I sewed Miriam and Becky beautiful yet modest swim suits. By now, they had grown too tall for them, and the fabric was showing some wear. It was time to sew new ones.
The girls and I went to the fabric store to pick out their favorite fabrics. From left to right, are Miriam's, Anna's, and Becky's choices. It only took them two hours and changing their minds fifteen times to settle on these... :)



I sewed Miriam's swim suit first, because the two younger girls would be able to fit the older suits until I got around to sewing theirs. With summer break finally here, I was able to make Becky's last week, and Anna's this week. 


These are an adaptation of the Simply Modest Swimwear pattern. The changes I made were to join the leggings with the top/skirt part, making it a one-piece outfit. This required that a zipper be added in the back. I also made the skirt knee-length all around. 

29 comments:

  1. Zsuzsa, you are such a talented lady! The girls look adorable! :)

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  2. I definitely like the choice of being more covered, of course because I wouldn't like my body to be so much exposed, but also because it probably cuts down the sunburns. I don't know about your family, but I have very sensitive skin and even with a lot of sun lotion I still get as red as a lobster in no time.

    It is such a controversy in our modern world that women who cover themselves (I'm thinking muslim women but it's also worth for christians) are considered oppressed by men, but women in bikinis are liberated. My own opinion is that if you choose what is best for you to wear, you are liberated. There is nothing oppressive about wanting to be more modest, if it is your own decision to make.

    And of course, the swimsuits look adorable, especially with cute children wearing them, you are very talented at sewing !

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  3. Those are so adorable and modest! Great job.

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  4. Adorable! Loving the pink one, are you taking orders? ;)

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    1. :) I have made a few as gifts for people, but I could not really start making them commercially and make a profit - my time is very expensive. :)

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  5. Can't see why you'd worry about a two-year old being modest. She doesn't! Don't most two year olds enjoy being naked.

    Sometimes its the grownup who worry too much about such things. The kids are innocent

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    1. While my 2-year old enjoys being naked as much as any child her age, here are some points to consider:

      - Teaching: children are impressionable. Why teach her now that dressing one way is okay, to later have to teach her it's no longer acceptable. Also, they are learning that their body is a temple, not a cheap shack, and therefore worthy to be adorned in modest apparel - not a "For Sale" sign. Our boys are also learning the difference between a floozie with the "attire of an harlot", and a young lady with dignity.

      - Perverts: While I am not worried about a 2-year old being modest, there are plenty of freaks and perverts who DO look at children sexually. I see kids every day in swim suits, even at the store, and I have no doubt that some dirty old man somewhere is getting a kick out of it.

      - Preference: Anna would be extremely disappointed and sad if her sisters (who to her are big and all-knowing) had one type of outfit, and she as the "baby" had a different one.

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    2. - Practicality: We do not use sun block but maybe once or twice a year, and even then sparingly (an all-natural, non-toxic, non-chemical brand, Badger). Staying covered prevents sun burns. Nobody thinks twice about guys wearing board shorts and a wetshirt over it, which basically covers the same body area. Girls are expected to show more skin - why?

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    3. You misunderstand me. I was not saying that a 4 year old was sexy but a 2 year old is not. None of your girls have reached puberty, of course not. You swim in your backyard, there are no "dirty old men" there. One day, your girls may look back on those pictures and ask the same questions I am--"why did you worry about the sexuality of very young girls?"

      I think your girls will form their own ideas about modesty, that is part of growing up--developing your own ideas. I do wonder why an immodestly dressed woman is a harlot, yet no one seems to have a term (or even care about) an immodestly dressed man.

      I agree, though, that skin coverage is a huge necessity in Arizona. I think you are exposing your kids to risk, however, by failing to use sun-screen. True, there are "chemicals" in sunscreen, but there is a proven association between failure to use sunscreen and cancer, especially among the fair-skinned.

      This is especially true for people who were raised in ARizona and therefore have long-term exposure to its harsh sun. And there is no evidence (your fears are not evidence) that the chemicals in sunscreen are bad. While I try to reduce its use also (you never know), the sun in Arizona is very harsh, and failing to use it at all is more dangerous than whatever scary thing you think the sunscreen may do.

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    4. "I think your girls will form their own ideas about modesty, that is part of growing up--developing your own ideas"...and honestly, that's what parents are for. I'm amazed at how many people think we should just let our kids grow up and do whatever they want. Then why have parents? They're to guide and direct so they grow up knowing and understanding truth and what is right and
      wrong. Its not BAD to tell your (naturally sinning child) that they are wrong and to show them whats right. We live in a "whatever feeeeels right, society" and it is getting more wicked. Because we dont want to offend anyone by telling them they are WRONG. If we had no obligation to teach them that then what on earth are parents for?
      Its not that they are in a "private back yard". What one does in private eventually comes out. In a private backyard is not just a place where no perverts are lurking, but is also a place where God sees all that is going on and all that we do. We need to live for him not for the eyes of man...so you practice what God wants whether in your home where no one can see or out in public where the whole world is watching.

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  6. The swim dresses are fantastic! Your girls are beautiful, you are very blessed.

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  7. Those are so pretty! Too many people seem to forget that "modest" does not exclude "put together". I don't even follow a code of modesty and would totally wear a swimsuit like that.

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  8. Do you happen to know of a place that you can order the fabric from? What type of fabric is it?

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  9. Your girls are adorable! Miriam seems very tall for her age, is she? A (modest) model :-)

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  10. wow well made! You are very talented! Is it not cumbersome for them to swim in dresses?

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    1. No, not at all - the skirt part does not interfere with swimming any more than trunks do on guys (i.e., not at all).

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  11. I think the suits are cute but I wonder if the skirt length impedes actual swimming. For just playing in the water I don't see a problem but if they really want to learn swim strokes I think a short skirt would be better. The tops work fine for swimming and offer sunburn protection.

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  12. Beautiful!! I made one for me and Gracie a few years back, and it is high time to make her a new one, just really don't want to! I hate sewing! ;) Your girls look ADORABLE! Great job!

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  13. Oh my gosh, they look so flippin' cute! :) I need a modest swimsuit too.

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  14. These are adorable! Do they have shorts underneath or what is the situation "under the skirt"? I am thinking about bathroom visits--I like 2 piece (but still modest) swimwear for young kids because it's so much easier to visit the potty! :)

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    1. They have knee-length leggings. Two pieces would definitely be easier for potty breaks. Since we have a pool in the backyard, I make them use the bathroom before they get changed, and then it's not an issue. Advantages to it being one piece: the leggings don't get lost, the top doesn't float up and expose the midriff.

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  15. Do they still wear some sort of leggings underneath?

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  16. Would you consider doing a youtube video of making a suit? What a service you would be doing in showing us sewing challenged ladies how it is done!
    That may not be practical for you to do . . . but if possible, please would you mind sharing how long it took to make a suit? Thank You for sharing the pictures. Precious family.

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  17. I'm curious - do your boys also cover up more - i.e., where a swim shirt with their trunks?

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  18. i think i suggested before but can you leave two piece but have a detachable connection like snaps or buttons?? or some kind of sash througj holes? idk just wondering? or sew the skirt onto the leggings and have the top separate and long enough to go down over the top of the botyoms a good bit to allow for some riding-surely a fittid top wont ride up too much?? you had a problem bc the whole top was the dress, with leggings underneath-right?? i think id try my second suggestion myself?! idk? just thinking......

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  19. Dear Zsuzsanna:

    I'm with Anna, I just adore her choice of print! They are all three just as cute as can be in their swimsuits, and for those that haven't been swimming in this type of suit, it's actually much more comfortable than it looks, and I will admit to secretly wishing some of my fellow pool users would wear them to cover up for the sake of everyone involved! ;)

    I was thinking over the first comment made by Anonymous on 12 June, as it seems to be a common one when you bring up dressing your children in modest attire. I think as parents, it is up to us to decide what is going to be considered 'in the normal' for our family and the society in which our family functions. Yes, two-year-olds do love to be nude (I have incriminating photos from my days, Thanks Mom!), but it is our job to reinforce WHEN, WHERE, AND WITH WHOM this is NOT appropriate, taking into account a family's religious and moral teachings, health concerns, safety concerns, family codes of conduct, etc. Pastor and Mrs. Anderson are doing a more-than-capable job bringing up children that are courteous, safe, capable of doing work and chores, act responsibly for themselves as well as their friends and siblings, are God-loving and fearing, and excellent, if not downright adorable, citizens. Children, even as young as 2-year-old Anna, are sponges for information from Mummy, Daddy, brothers, sisters, friends, relatives...and it's up The Anderson's to decide what is best for her in all areas of life, which includes how she is dressing.

    Finally, you ask: "why did you worry about the sexuality of very young girls?"
    For me, it's not a matter of nattering and worrying myself sick over the fact that, someday, my daughter will grow into a woman, and, should God allow it, give birth--or that my son will turn into a man and become the father of children. One of my goals as a parent is to help them be prepared and understand this important part of life. However, I feel that along with loving our bodies, we should keep them private from others that have ignoble and sinful thoughts towards them. In my opinion, the sooner that children are taught that their bodies are from a loving gift from God and are special and amazing in their own right, and not only that, but deserve to be protected and respected, the better!

    God bless you, Dad, and the seven!

    Mindy

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