Thank you for all the kind compliments on Violette’s outfit as well as her “poses” in the “park!” She is SUCH a pretty doll…she will be with me forever I think!
I was checking something on my phone this morning, when these “modest” swimwear ads started popping up. They were advertised as swimwear, but they looked like dresses to me. Apparently there are people buying them as I tried to find them a little later just to read the story on them, and there were more than several companies selling lots of different styles. There were many with mother and daughter look-alike sets.
Here is one I took a screen shot of on my phone.
I thought I better put the link to the shop, since I used their picture. You can see that they have dresses and many other things.
Well, I showed you that, because as soon as I saw those modest “swimsuits” I immediately thought of one I had made. It featured American Girl Nellie and I made this back in January of 2015… quite a while ago. I thought I’d show it again, since my day was filled with other things than sewing! :o(
We did get word that my hubby’s surgery will be next week… so when you see the “questions” posts, you’ll know what’s happening. :o)
Here is the post showing Nellie in her pretty aqua blue 1900’s bathing suit! I thought she looked beautiful in it…
“By the Sea” Sew Adorable Pattern featured… (January 2015)
I wanted to share with you a sweet Victorian Bathing costume that I made from one of the Sew Adorable patterns. These patterns are somewhat hard to come by and when you do find one, they can be terribly expensive. I happened to win a lot of these patterns on Ebay and they are really fun to make up. This particular pattern is called “By the Sea” and features a jacket with a peplum skirt and short puffed sleeves. There are ruffles that go around the edges of the all-in-one jacket, skirt and the sleeves. The bloomers have elastic at the waist and ruffles at the bottom edge for a darling look. A full brimmed hat is turned up in the front and has a large bow as an accent. That’s a whole lot of ruffles, but it makes for an adorable outfit, I think.
If you click on the pictures, they will enlarge somewhat.
I changed the lap over on the jacket as women’s apparel is supposed to be right over left when buttons are used. At first I thought maybe the picture on the front of the pattern was just transposed, but it was done backwards on the pattern pieces…(unless for some reason on the bathing outfits of the early 1900’s it was okay to do left over right, but that’s news to me if it was.) My bathing costume was made from a pretty aqua and white leaf pattern and I just love how it turned out. Nellie, with her strawberry blonde hair, was the perfect model for this color fabric. I used some little square mother-of-pearl buttons on the front (just to give it that sea-shore feel!)
So here’s how mine turned out…
Okay, so who’s ready for a swim? Just kidding…
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
I’m glad to hear that George’s surgery is being rescheduled, Jeanne. Yes, we’ll know when the questions start popping up, where you are! And we’ll be praying.
I know that there are some companies that are making more modest swimwear now–but I had never seen anything quite That modest!! I looked at their website, and the dresses are quite nice, and, yes, very modest (which is a refreshing change from too-short/too-tight/too-plunging, etc. things you see most places these days!). But….no petite sizes, so I guess I’ll make my own!!
I’m sure glad we don’t have to swim in outfits such as the one you made for Nellie! Can you imagine trying to drag all that fabric thru the water?! It is cute, though! (I do have a couple of Sew Adorable patterns, too–as I recall, one is a snowsuit. I also have many wonderful ones from Primrose Lane–such well-drafted patterns, and well-written instructions!)
A little news flash from our end: we spent the afternoon in ER. Ron fell before lunch, landing on his left side, and his glasses got in the way. He ended up having 5 stitches in his eyebrow (a 2″ laceration) and steri-strips on some smaller lacerations nearby. They did a CAT scan, and there’s no brain bleeds or fractures, so we’re thankful for that.
When I got him home, he had a hard time getting out of my car (I usually drive him in his car, and when I was following the aid car this morning, I didn’t think of that!) I was wondering how I was going to get him out of the car and up the stairs when our neighbor kids (17 and 21) came over–the 17-year-old (Mary) had noticed the aid cars at our house, and they wanted to be sure we had their phone numbers (their folks are out of town) in case we needed help. Perfect timing!! Tyler got Ron out of the car and “attached” to his walker; then followed him into the garage, where Ron took his crutches instead (not enough room for that walker), and when Ron got to the stairs, Mary carried his crutches and Tyler followed him all the way up the stairs, patiently helping him get his feet squarely on each step. They wouldn’t leave until he was safely seated on the couch. I cannot tell you how grateful I was, because I wasn’t sure what I was going to do!!
Charlotte, so sorry to hear Ron fell. Glad he’s on the mend and what wonderful young neighbors you have willing to help! Thinking of you both.
So sorry to hear about Ron’s fall but very glad to hear it wasn’t worse. What wonderful young neighbors you have and so compassionate. I can relate to getting people out of cars when they are not totally mobile. I was very glad to have Jason living next door when I brought David home after his heart and knee surgeries. Before his knee surgeries David put pipes on each side of the door from the garage. There are three steps up and he figured he would need something to help pull him up. He was right about that. A month after his heart surgery was when Texas had that horrible winter storm. Sean and his family were at our house because they had lost electricity and Jason came over. While David was sitting in his chair our power went out. His chair is fully electric with no back-up power. I would have never gotten him out of that chair on my own.
Dear Charlotte, oh my goodness. I am glad that your neighbor “angels” were there to help you. Are you going to get a visiting nurse or health aid to check in? I will be remembering you and your husband in my prayers.
Nellie looks so cute in that “swimsuit”. although I’m not sure how close to the water she could get to actually swim in that! I can see her walking along the beach, then sitting under an umbrella with a glass of lemonade in her hand and a good book, though! My kind of swimming! 🙂
That website does have some very nice clothes, and yes, modest too! However, the prices aren’t quite what I normally pay for my clothes! They are very nice for when you go places, but my “go to places”, don’t require fancy clothes! But it is nice to see there are places that sell clothes that someone my age would wear!
Glad to hear you have a date for the surgery Jeanne, and we will surely give you some time to slack off and prayers will be said for the two of you. You can count on us!
My goodness, Charlotte, what a time you have had! So sorry to hear about Ron falling and the troubles of getting him back in the house, but those young people next door are the best of the best! How nice of them!
I am puzzled about what you call an “aid car”/ What is that?
Linda, this is a reply to your question yesterday. It sounds like you have Betsy’s first day of school outfit. It has a hat that goes with it, but I must confess my dolly girls don’t like hats any more than I do so I tend to not bother with hats even if they come with the outfit. I also bid on Betsy’s outfit “Simply Spring” and won. I accidentally put in a bid higher than I was going to, maybe $5 more, and the other person stopped bidding. It is a lovely outfit and I think I might save it for Easter.
Glad to hear George’s surgery has a new date. I’m sure you are squaring up things around the house so you can devote your time caring for him and whatever needs he may have when he comes home.
While I don’t look the greatest in my swimsuit, those dresses just look uncomfortable for swimming ( maybe just for standing in the water) and as modest as I am, I’d never wear them.
Nellie looks cute in her blue beach wear. Certainly a design once worn at the shore. How times have changed.
That is such a cute outfit. It’s time to duplicate it for Samantha, if you can find another fabric that pretty. It shouldn’t be too hard since your fabric collection is large and beautiful.
You are lucky to have such lovely neighbors. I have trouble walking and am finding helpful people everywhere. Most don’t hover — they just lend a hand or hold a door and go their way. Fair enough — I’ve done it myself hundreds of times — but it is much appreciated. I’ve been out of the hospice for 3 years and have been slowly getting better. The article in Time magazine (and all over the net) about John Fetterman is quite encouraging for anyone going through the slow process. It’s a long article but worth the time.
The first thing that entered my mind upon seeing the swimwear in the duo photo, was guessing how many had drowned wearing it. Especially children. Now, I can understand the Victorian swim dress that Jeanne made for Nellie, as that is history. So many photos of those times with the poor women sitting on the beach under an umbrella covered head to toe in fabric while the men were enjoying the water in regular swimsuits. Thank goodness the laws of those times have changed and women and men can wear what they want to the beach. 🙂
Charlotte, very glad to hear that Ron, had no serious injuries and that he had some help getting inside. I wonder if they make outdoor stair elevators like the ones for indoors? or wheelchair lifts? What about putting in a ramp? Hope he recovers quickly.
And very glad to hear that George has a date with his doctors. Let’s hope they have their schedules in order this time.
I’d love to see some 50’s swimsuits for the Ruby Red kids. Those around here need told me they want to get in some swim time before school starts. 🙂
Time to take the truck in for it’s check up. Have a wonderful summer day everyone.
Joy, here are some of the patterns I found – all on Etsy.
Janie Carroll Designs – Sprinkler Season 14″-16″ (WW, AGAT), Sprinkler Season LD, H4H, Les Cheries & Betsy (basically 13″-14″), KathyAnneDesigns WW & AG (both sizes in same pattern
Happy sewing!
Thanks Barbara. I’ll take a look after I go out and water. Just got back.
Nice to see the modest swimwear.
Hope George’s surgery goes well and that Ron is feeling better soon. Tomorrow my mother in law is having her gallbladder removed.
Prayers for your mother-in-law’s surgery. A friend recently had his removed and they sent him home the same day. He’s doing fine.
Thank you, Barbara!
I haven’t found the time to think about making it, but I have that exact pattern. I found a new uncut one on eBay for $7.95 with free shipping a couple of years ago and snapped it up. It is darling with all the ruffles. I didn’t care for Samantha’s LE one in navy back in 1997. I’ll have to put a post it on it that the placket is backwards. So happy to hear Ron wasn’t seriously injured and what thoughtful, kind neighbors to come and help. As Joy said, a ramp might be super helpful.
Happy to know that George’s new surgery date has been set and you are preparing for your nurse role.
Nelly’s bathing outfit is beautiful. I just read some of the history of women and swimming and there wasn’t much more than wading done when bathing dresses were worn. It wasn’t until 1910 that any thought was given to creating sensible swimming attire and you can guess who came up with the idea. It was Jantzen. I had no idea the company was that old.
As for modesty, I can’t believe some of the swim attire I’ve seen at the pool these days, especially on little girls. My son wouldn’t let my granddaughter out of the house in some the suits I’ve seen. I guess buying a little girl a two piece suit guarantees more than one year’s use but by the second year the suit is looking more like a string bikini. My granddaughter chose what’s called a rash guard suit this year. It is really cute and very modest. We tried to get her another because she needs two for camp but the second suit was cancelled. These suits are in great demand. I’m going to see if they have them for adults. They have long sleeves and I need to keep my sun exposure to a minimum. I seem to burn easier these days.
So glad to hear that George’s surgery has been rescheduled. Waiting is nerve wracking but you seem to be making good use of your time till then. I would probably be going stir crazy and get nothing done. Waiting makes me anxious, something I am not usually.
They have had those rash guard tops at Costco. Great to keep off the sun. 🙂
Just got around to checking out the Dainty Jewells website. I’ve got that one as a favorite. If Jaiden ever wants a dress for a dressy occasion I’m going to let her pick one from there. They are gorgeous. I might even go there for my Easter dress next year. Haven’t had a new one in awhile. My type of clothes.
I forgot to mention that the waterpark I took the grandkids to has a dress code. No swimsuits showing too much exposure, no underwear showing and things that make sense. But one thing that disappointed me was I did see many cute or pretty suits like I used to see. Not even on little girls. Most were kind of boring. Being a fabric enthusiast, it was a bit of a bummer for me.
That is I didn’t see many cute or pretty suits. I can’t believe I read that over twice and didn’t catch that.
Dear Jeanne, prayers continue. We will be alright here on the sofa.