Benicia Rashguard and Alba Swim Shorts
Blogger: Deanna Mackin
Benicia Rashguard & Alba Swim Shorts
Swimsuit season is here and the sun is shining bright! If you are looking for full coverage swim options, look no further than some of Little Lizard King's knit wardrobe staples. With a few simple modifications, the Benicia top and Alba shorts can transform into the perfect duo to protect sensitive skin for long days at the beach, water sports, and all your summer excursions.
Using the Benicia pattern and blending appropriately based on height, chest, waist and hip, cut one top front and one top back out of swim fabric and one set from swim lining. Cut one set of sleeves from swim fabric. If optional flutters are desired, access the pattern template here and cut one set from swim fabric. Because swim fabric does not need to be hemmed, trim 1/2"(1.3cm) off the long, straight edge of each flutter sleeve.
With right sides together, sew the main shoulder seams together using a stretch stitch and 3/8" (1 cm) seam allowance. Repeat with the lining pieces. If omitting the optional flutters, skip to sewing the sides of the bodice, just a few steps ahead.
To add the flutter sleeves, start by sewing a gathering stitch 1/4" (0.6 cm) from the curved edge. Measure 1" (2.5 cm) in from the raw, side edge of the main bodice and make a mark. Repeat on the front and back for both sides.
Evenly gather the flutters in between the marks and baste in place using a 1/4" (0.6 cm) seam allowance or double-sided hem tape.
With right sides together, sew the sides of the bodice. Repeat for the lining.
Turn the main top right side out. Turn the lining wrong side out. Slide the lining into the main keeping wrong sides together.
Baste the main and lining together around the neckline, armcyes, and bottom hem using a 1/4"(.6cm) seam allowance or double-sided hem tape.
Both layers will now be treated as one piece. Finish the neckline and sleeves using desired options and instructions in the pattern tutorial. If flutters were added, they will be sandwiched between the main and the sleeve. Finish the bottom hem as directed in the tutorial. You are now finished with the Benicia rash guard top!
Alba Swim Shorts
To create the Alba swim shorts with a built-in lining, the Alba shorts and Antibes swimsuit patterns are needed. Blend the pattern pieces according to height and hip size.
Cut pieces for the Alba shorts using swim fabric. The yoga waistband option will be required in order to add the lining. Cut one Antibes bikini bottom front and back from swim lining.
Sew the Alba shorts using the pattern tutorial up until the step where the waistband is added (p. 34).
Take the bikini bottom front and back lining pieces. Sew the crotch and side seams using a 1/2" (1.3 cm) seam allowance. Use the elastic measurement from the chart and sew the ends of the elastic pieces together overlapping the ends 1/4" (0.6 cm). Quarter the leg openings and elastic and mark with pins/clips.
Match the quarter points of the leg openings and elastic. The elastic will be touching the wrong side of the lining. Using a serger or stretch stitch, sew the elastic to the lining, stretching the elastic evenly between points. Flip the elastic under and topstitch in place.
With the shorts right side out and lining piece wrong side out, slide the lining into the shorts, wrong sides together.
Align the top, raw edge of the shorts and the lining, slightly stretching the lining to fit. Baste in place using a 1/4" (0.6 cm) seam allowance.
Mark the quarter points on the waist opening of the shorts and the waistband using pins/clips. Place the waistband over the shorts, matching the quarter points with the waistband seam in the back. Sew to attach, catching all the layers.
The inside will now look like this.
