Hurray for summer and swimsuit making!
Last week, Phee Fabrics sent me a surprise 1/2 yard of their Swim Tricot Knit to sew up and promote during their Swim Week. I was *VERY* surprised to receive NEON YELLOW! It’s totally not a color I would have selected on my own, but it’s very very fabulous and on trend as well!
Now, I should preface that neon is really hard to photograph! I’ve tried to get my pics edited to reflect the true color, but some are a bit off. It is bright though!
I decided to pair it with the Little Lizard King Monaco Swimsuit. This was my first time sewing a pattern from LLK – I had been eying this one for a while and decided to snap it up during their last sale!
About the Fabric
Phee Fabrics carry Nylon/Spandex “Tricot” (swim knit). In most stores, swim fabric is a polyester blend, but these Nylon blends are superior for a few reasons:
- Stronger and more durable than polyester
- Softer than polyester
- Greater stretchability
- While moisture wicking, has a lower moisture absorbency
- Abrasion resistant
- High level of chlorine resistance
The fabric is also manufactured using a “tricot” construction. This contributes to its durability and eliminates static cling.
Phee’s Nylon/Spandex tricot has been rated with 35-50% UPF protection. The fabric is thicker than standard swim knit and has a tighter weave, so it provides great protection. Darker colors also increase protection.
Phee’s Tricot collection includes 7 solid colors. Don’t forget to grab some lining and/or power net if you’re making a swimsuit!
Today only, you can get all Tricot for 10% off with code PheeSwim20 at Phee Fabrics.
I do LOVE how soft and smooth this fabric is – if you’re looking for some gorgeous swim solids, these are worth grabbing!
About the Pattern
The Monaco by Little Lizard King is a cute design and comes in bikini or one piece, with or without ruffles. The suit is finished with a tie at the base of a scoop back, is fully lined, and available in sizes 12 months through 14 years.
I did find the bodice rather time consuming to make, and after cutting out my final fabric, discovered the front pieced bodice was not the same length as the lining/simple bodice or back. So if you’re making this one, be sure to double check the pattern pieces against each other before cutting your fabric out.
One other thing I didn’t do, and would suggest doing, is understitching the neckline. I did cut the lining a little shorter to help it keep the lining invisible on the front, but understitching would help ensure it doesn’t poke out.
I found the suit does gape a bit at the back. I cut a size 5 lengthened to 10 (she’s closer to size 9), so I’m not sure if the gaping is from being too long, or something else. I was surprised it doesn’t have elastic around the neckline, so maybe that would help?? The tester pictures do look great through, so I’m not sure…
The bottoms fit quite well. I think I could have sized down in the booty a little, but I’d rather have more space there than less! I graded them 4 waist, 8 hip, 10 height.
The extra things!
I wanted to give the solid color fabric a bit of extra pizazz, so I finished the ruffles with “Swiss Beauty” Maxilock Stretch Thread (Wawak) using my serger’s wide 3 thread overlock stitch.
Once the suit was done, I used my Silhouette and this ice cream from the Silhouette Store to make the vinyl design. Miss 8 adores it! (Stretch Matte Vinyl is from Heat Transfer Source, and is admittedly not supposed to work with Nylon products so I’ll evaluate it over the next few weeks to see if it holds on anyway!).
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary 1/2 yard of Nylon/Tricot fabric from Phee Fabrics in exchange for promotion. Opinions are 100% my own!
auschick sews 