Menu
Book reviews / Sewing activewear

Kwik Sew’s Swim and action wear book

 

Christina asked which pattern I used for the hot pants. Well it’s from a book, the Kwik Sew’s Swim and action wear to be more precise. This is a book that keeps on giving even though the styles are dated (but I’m sure some are definitely coming back!).
The book contains instructions, full size patterns and ideas for everything from bikinis to leggings. I originally bought it for the swimwear patterns, but these days I own both a bathing suit and a bikini that I love, so I have no pressing needs to make my own.

But the pattern that I keep on using is the leggings/shorts pattern. The hot pants was based on the short version but I lowered the leg a tad bit plus added some width since the sequin knits was less stretchy than lycra fabrics (the patterns in the book are for fabrics with at least 75% stretch). I have done the workout top pattern too, but find the sleeves to be too wide for my preference, plus the pattern is only for a mid riff top, super trendy right now, but I would have loved a hip length version too.

 Cattie in the hot pants.

Even though some styles are dated, the patterns in this book are a good starting point for modifications and the very thorough instructions are invaluable if you want to learn the basics on how to make active wear in stretchy fabrics. Perhaps this book is out of print, but I think it could be worth tracking down. 

4 Comments

  • Summer Flies
    March 17, 2012 at 9:22 am

    All old books are great reference lets face it most techniques are the same no matter how old they are. Cattie also looks great in her shorts!

    Reply
  • Meri
    March 22, 2012 at 10:56 am

    Uhhm WOW, just did a quick search for the book, the cheapest I could pick it up was $100 at Amazon. Copies on ebay run closer to $200 so hold onto your copy, it is worth it's weight in gold in more than one way!

    Reply
  • MB@YarnUiPhoneApp
    April 6, 2012 at 2:20 pm

    I think there might be more current copies out there. What about the library? Worth borrowing if you can find it. That colorblock suit on the front cover would be totally on trend today.

    Reply
  • document finder
    April 15, 2012 at 4:50 pm

    A good book worth reading

    Reply

Leave a Reply