Saturday, July 3, 2010

Beach Wear

I didn't tax myself very hard to take pictures For the Record while I was at the beach. 
But as I combed through the photos, I came across these:


 
Ben's hat and shirt:  they worked great!  Easy to use, great coverage.  No sunburn.

Genevieve is walking to the beach with Granny wearing a pair of beach pants I made her last summer.  I used the directions in Amanda Soule's book.  They are a wonderfully breezy pair of pants, easy on and off (important for sandy and potentially sunburned legs!).  And topstitched in red.
And here is a project I've been excited to show you: my own beach dress, to wear over my suit as I biked to the beach or went up to the boardwalk for some fries.



I started with this black tencel dress from the thrift store for $3.99.  I started very late one night and just in time remembered to take a "before" photo.  This pose cracks me up, but it's supposed to show the length and side slits.
I cut the dress off to my knees, slit it up the front, and made very large bias binding for the raw edges.  I found the striped shirting at JoAnn Fabrics - I really wanted 1970s bright prairie calico for some reason, but I didn't have time to hunt it down (but 1970s calico is still burning a hole in my brain, so I expect I'll be buying some soon!).
Then I sewed on ties using  red triangles of reproduction feed sack -- the closest I could come to calico with my stash.  I am very pleased with this beach dress!  I feel smart in it (my husband called it elegant).

~ ~ ~

. . . the beach. . . evening. . . my family.


10 comments:

Christian - Modobject@Home said...

What... no oil sheen and tar balls?! Guess you weren't on the Gulf coast!

Your cover-up is ingenious and perfect. Love it. Your family is beautiful!

Melanie said...

What a lovely picture of your family :-) Looks like you had a great time!

Janelle said...

That gussied-up thrift find is inspired. I may attempt a copycat. I missed you in the blogosphere while you were away. :)

Margo said...

Christian, I loved the Gulf Coast when I was there. I just hate to think of it now. We were on the Delaware coast.

Beth said...

Welcome Home Margo!

The beachwear turned out great.

I love the photo of you 4.

Deanna Beth said...

I've been missing your posts. You all are gorgeous!

Jennifer Jo said...

Love the family shot. Informal and classy.

Laura said...

I love the beach cover-up you made, and the pants for your daughter. Your ideas for re-purposing thrifted clothes are inspiring!

Anonymous said...

Dang, you are clever!

Anonymous said...

That dress makeover is awesome! So cute.