Mid-Week Inspiration: Sewing for Summer

Beach vacations are booked (Key West in May)! Summer will arrive...at some point! Lately, I've been inspired to start sewing up some Summer fashions. Now is the time to get the stash organized and patterns planned. 

How about some beach cover-ups?

For inspiration, any day of the week, follow me on Pinterest.

My Vintage Vanity: The Perfect Beach Bag

I've mentioned my love for this vintage straw bag before that I bought almost two years ago in Phoenix. I have to highlight it again as I brought it to the beach last weekend and it made the perfect beach bag.

What do you use as your beach bag?

Mid-Week Inspiration: 1950's Beach

My Projects: Bathing Suit Cover Up

I finished making the two cotton pique bathing suit cover ups from the 1960's McCall's pattern I bought awhile back (pictured above). They are one of a kinds as I bought the last yardage off the bolts. Yesterday I modeled the finished products in Coney Island. Here is how they came out:
White cotton pique with red and white stripe linen bias piping and side tie bows. Three red buttons decorate the front.

White embroidered floral cotton pique with red grosgrain side tie bows and a larger grosgrain ribbon bow off center.

I have entered these cover ups in the Singer/Craftzine Swimsuit cover up contest! Wish me luck! After the contest is over I will be putting them up for sale in my Etsy shop, The Sparkling Cocktail. If you are interested in one of these beauties before I can get them listed send me an email.

Mid-Week Inspiration: Esther Williams

Is it obvious I'm ready to go swimming? I've been posting a lot about vintage swimsuits, beach accessories, and the cover up I'm making. It's time to hit the beach! If only I could be as graceful as the lovely Esther Williams is here in this photo. Beautiful!