We normally champion natural fabrics over man-made, but when making swimwear, the opposite is true – try to stick to synthetic fabrics instead with a high percentage of stretch, at least 10–20%. When you’re happy with the placement, stitch them with a wide zig-zag stitch near the edge, and a narrow zig-zag about 5/16 inch away from the edge, right sides together. Combined with the effects of saltwater or chlorine, your fabric can have unintended side-effects when chosen poorly. Any reputable commercial pattern should provide you with the right stitch settings - we like a medium zig zag (3mm x 2mm) for attaching elastic, and a wider stitch (5mm x 1.

Stitch Bathing Suit - Etsy UK Stitch Bathing Suit - Etsy UK

The fabric you choose when sewing your own swimwear will make or break your project, so it’s vital you pick something suitable. Using a zigzag stitch (1/8 inch wide and 1/16 inch long), stitch the elastic on the top edge for about 3/8 inch without stretching. Place two pins in your fabric about 5” apart and, while stretching the fabric, keep one pin at 0 and see where the second pin can stretch to. I like this to happen at the side seams since the crotch seam is already bulked up with the gusset and I think the less going on down there the better . Lightweight linings are great if your fabric is already really stable and opaque, but you can choose something more substantial if you want to add compression qualities to your suit or have an extra layer of opacity, like if you're using a light colored fabric.Once the side seams are sewn and the gusset is installed, it’s time to elasticate and finish those leg holes. Then you'll turn the elastic to the wrong side of the garment and use a standard or a three step zigzag to topstitch everything in place. Test stitches and machine tension by sewing scraps to elastic before starting with your final suit, andyou'll be rock and rolling in no time! Be sure to check out this month sewalong class where I will show you how to sew the Maggie two-piece swimsuit step by step.

Stitch Swimsuit - Etsy UK Stitch Swimsuit - Etsy UK

Bottom right: Closet Case Pattern really delivers with their Sophie Swimsuit Pattern if you are looking for a suit to step up your swimsuit sewing game. Latest Episode Listen to the latest episode of Seamwork Radio for inspiration around all things sewing.Once you put all that work into sewing your perfect suit there is nothing more disappointing than hearing that crinkle sound of disintegrating elastic. Rocks, cans or metal hardware can work in a pinch; lay them close to the edge to ensure maximum accuracy. If you find a swimsuit pattern that you love, you can also stitch a few in different colours (very useful for beach holidays or chilling out by the pool somewhere sunny! The combination of a rotary cutter and pattern weights can help you to have a little bit more control as you cut. With its long sleeves and front zip, this swimsuit sewing pattern is a practical choice if you like to spend a lot of time in the sea or taking part in watersports.