Swim Week is still going strong, and we are showing off the super versatile Cabana Bottoms from our affiliate Peek a Boo Patterns. The great thing about this pattern, is that you can pair the bottoms with any swim top you like (I feel like the bottoms of two piece suits wear out faster than the tops). This pattern comes in size 3m-12y and includes basic bottoms, mini ruffle bottoms, skirted bottoms, and a dance/swim skirt.

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For 2 years in a row, I have bought swim fabric for my daughter thinking… “This is going to be the year I make a swimsuit” and without fail I’ve bought her suits from the store and added the swim fabric to my pile of “someday”. This year I decided was going to the year, and I now had TWO suits to make, one for her and one for my boy. Enter my lovely friends at Pattern Revolution; I know I can do it, but sometimes I just need that little extra push; and when Suzanne announced Swim Week, I thought “this is it!”.

With a very opinionated 7 year old, that has such a long, slim frame it can be hard to find suits that fit her well and are one she thinks are “cool” enough. I have always had great results from Peek-A-Boo patterns and Amy didn’t disappoint with this one.

decided to go with the Cabana Swim Bottoms and the mini ruffle. I felt like this pattern would give me some great mix and match options with the fabric I was using as well as future suits (cause i’m certain there will be more to come).

hey were a very easy and super quick sew. A little under an hour including time to cut my pattern and fabrics. The directions list the lining as option butl since I was using a white based fabric I thought the lining was a necessity. I really loved the fit of these compared to any store bought bottoms. Especially for a bikini bottom, the leg openings were perfectly sized, they covered her behind and stayed put the whole time we were at the beach.

or the top, I am always looking for ways to stretch my current patterns rather than buying new ones and since I’ve been on a little bit of a Little Lizard King obsession with the Homegrown Tank Dress lately, I immediately thought of that. I cut the front/back bodice pieces plus one lining for the front.

To keep things in place I basted the lining to the front and then proceeded with the straps just like the pattern directs. I added another piece of bias binding to the bottom to finish it off and voila! You could always adjust the length to suit your child but since mine has such a long torso I love the fit just as is. Want a little tip for sewing those slippery skinny straps??? Glue stick! Yep, just your average school/craft glue stick. Check out my tutorial on my blog.

Think she was happy with her new suit??