Beach Dress and Coat : Simplicity 8139

Happy Summer sewists! It's my favorite sewing season, there are so many fun things to sew, like this new BEACH DRESS! I'm straight out of Beach Blanket Bingo right now and loving it. You will find me frolicking along the Jersey Shore in this all summer long. 

The pattern is a vintage re-release from Simplicity, 8139. The bathing dress and beach coat pattern is from the 1950's. I love that I get to recreate this vintage look, because it's something I'd never be able to find in my size normally. 

The dress is made with seersucker and has a full knit romper lining underneath, I had to make a few adjustments to get it to fit. I had to add two inches of length to the bra cups to cover everything up there. And then I had to add another inch to the bodice length because of my long torso. After I made it I had to take off some shoulder length to keep the back from gaping. 

The bust portion is made to be gathered. Kind of like the Sweetheart Sundress from Gertie's first book. I hand sewed some stitches to either side of the center front seam and pulled to gather them. Then the bow is tied around the bust. There is a whole left under the bust to slide the sash though. 

I finished the hem with rick rack, because everything is better with rick rack. I love having the knit romper under the short skirt, I am free to frolic without worrying about wind and such. 

I made a beach coat to match too! It's perfect for going from early morning "chill" to later when its hotter on the beach. I made it with a terrycloth outer and the seersucker lining. It has a button closure, over-sized pockets, with more rick rack, and sleeves that you roll up to have cuffs. 

This is so comfortable, and I have already worn it a lot, lounging on the deck, riding my bike around and at the bay beach. I want to add rompers under all my clothes now. What do you guys sew in the summer?