A Swim Shirt for Suz and Guest Post

We are all a little toasted here in FL.  Before I left I experimented with sewing a woman's rash guard for my sister Suz to try out.  Should have made one for myself because my back is fried! Suz looks great in it  but still wish I could take it in on the sides and lengthen it.  But this was just a prototype - send it back Suz and I'll make it, or better yet pull out the old Bernina and give it a go.  And thanks for your advice on children's swimwear.  

Today I was the happy recipient of an "Alison's original" shirt.  I have been on the hunt for the perfect rashguard for summer.  We purchased season passes to a local water park to help us get through the hot summer.  When temperatures reach 120 nothing feels better than swimming.  The problem is I can't stand the feeling of the sun cooking my skin.  I've noticed once the temperatures pass 110 the landscapers continue to wear long-sleeves.  I'm sure they have realized you can feel cooler with out the sun hitting your skin directly.  Sun-block rubs off, and feels really greasy.  There are some long-sleeved rashguards for women on the market, but they are not very flattering.  I don't look all that great in the high-neck rashguards made by surf companies.  I have worn white cotton hoodies at the pool but I am unable to get in the water wearing these.
 
Al solved this problem by sewing a custom swim-shirt for me with 3/4 sleeves and a scoop-neck.  This shirt is both flattering and functional.  I think it even holds in my arm fat a bit.  I can keep my self covered up at the water park and not look like a super-freak.  All I need now is huge hat, a swim-skirt or board shorts to go with the shirt and I will be ready for summer 2011.  
 
Thanks so much Al - I love it!!
 
Also, for those searching for kids rashguards I have spent hours online looking. It is really hard to find long-sleeved shirts for kids.  My kids need these for the summer because they burn easily, and sunblock rubs off.  The best options are at www.tugasunwear.com or the o'neill skins at www.zappos.com - the o'neill skins are really tight so we went up a few sizes.  My complaint with the o'neill shirts is that they have screen printed writing on them.  I tried to avoid this whenever possible - by the end of the summer the words start to rub off and the shirt looks old and worn.  Lands end has good options for boys, but the girls shirts are kind of awkward.  I also avoid white because it turns yellow over time.  I ended up buying the $30- o'neill skins at zappos (even thought i like the tuga 3 piece sets) and we'll see how they hold up.  The bright pinks will go with suits we already have.  The o'neill shirts have spf rating 50+ and do look flattering because of the white stripes on the side.  We'll try not to get sunblock all over them.  The other thing I try to do is rinse the chlorine out of them (sometimes by having the kids shower after a swim) after each use and then line drying them.  Swimsuits take a beating, especially in Arizona where it is all my kids wear during the summer.  I'm usually happy if they don't dissolve before October.
 
The best solution would be to sew your own.  You could choose the sleeve length, color and avoid screen printed designs altogether.  Al - are you going to make some for your kids?  I'd love to see what you can come up with.  
 
Thanks again!
Suz