About patterns and sewing of separate and one-piece swimsuits

A swimsuit is an item of women's wardrobe that does not necessarily have to be bought in a fashion boutique and overpay hundreds of rubles. You can make it yourself. About what fabric swimsuits are made of, how to take measurements, calculate the material, how to sew a swimsuit, how to sew in a push-up and much more below.

Choice of fabric

The choice of textile swimwear is the most important thing in creating a product with your own hands. First of all, you need to look not at the color of the product, but at its elasticity with shape stability, safety, hypoallergenicity, durability, reliability of coloring and hygroscopicity. That is, the fabric should fit tightly to the body, not sag, gathering in folds, should not lose shape after it has been in the water. In addition, the material should not emit toxic substances that are harmful to the body, cause irritation with redness. It must also be durable, quick-drying, non-deformable and not fade under the influence of sea salt and sunlight.

Cotton is a material that is generally created for being on the shore, not in the water. It is suitable for small children and expectant mothers. Polyester is a classic fabric for children and adults on the beach. Swimsuits made from it have good sun protection and water-repellent qualities, are resistant to mold and dirt, are cheap and drape.

Polyamide is a reliable material that is water-repellent and durable. It is sensitive to dirt.

Lycra is the most elastic fabric, characterized by its lightness, durability, moisture resistance, wrinkle resistance and hygiene.

Japanese microfiber is a breathable, durable, non-deformable material with a low cost for beginner craftswomen. The only drawback is the loss of shape.

Biflex is a material for athletes involved in gymnastics or swimming, characterized only on the positive side. The most beautiful and high-quality, but not cheap for girls and boys involved in artistic dancing.

How to take measurements

As for taking measurements, you will need to know the chest circumference with the hip circumference according to any step-by-step master class instruction. You also need to have an idea of ​​the back width and chest height, namely the vertical distance from the top of the cups to the bottom. To create a closed type of product and for pregnant and overweight ladies, you will also need to know the waist size.

To take measurements correctly, even from a doll, it is necessary to take measurements without underwear, ideally. If this is not possible, you need to measure with a bra without a push-up. The measurements should be on the body. You cannot leave allowances for the skirt, since the future bathing suit should fit tightly to the body.

Tools and materials

To sew a swimsuit, you will need the material itself that will be used, elastic for panties, foam cups with or without a push-up effect, bones (if they are intended), fittings, needles, threads, a pencil, scissors and a sewing machine. You can calculate the material after taking measurements and drawing up an accurate diagram of the product. As a rule, no more than 1.5 meters of fabric are needed for an open-type item, and 2.5 meters for a closed-type item. It is interesting that today there are even special calculators that do all the calculation work for the craftswomen.

One-piece swimsuit pattern

The most interesting thing about sewing clothes is creating a pattern for a future garment. You can do it yourself without relying on glossy magazines, and also by borrowing an idea from different manufacturers and brands. The creation of such an element as a swimsuit pattern should begin with determining the type of the future item. There is an open bandeau swimsuit, a halter, a classic bodice, and a bikini that is connected with fittings and turns into a closed one.

Sewing

Sewing swimsuits involves joining solid parts using a regular needle and thread or using a sewing machine. In both cases, you need to make sure that each edge of the panties has an elastic band, which will be responsible for the maximum fit of the product to the body. They must be sewn together. As for the bodice, if it comes with bones and a foam insert, then first the structure is sewn and another layer of fabric is added, covering the structure. Then the lower and upper parts are connected with additional fabric that goes along the stomach.

Separate swimsuit pattern

There is nothing complicated in constructing a pattern for a separate swimsuit. First, a silhouette with the dimensions of the bottom is made. Two triangles are created and a lining between them. Then the silhouette of the top is made. It, as a rule, already includes such important parts as the back and fastening. In order not to make mistakes in calculations, you can use one of the ready-made schemes in articles with the title sewing a swimsuit.

Swimming trunks

It is easier to make swimming trunks than a bra, since there are usually no additional details in the form of foam rubber, push-up or bones. All you need is to cut the fabric according to the ready-made patterns, sew a thin elastic band along the edges and sew the edges, folding part of the fabric used to the wrong side.

Opening

To make working with swimming trunks as easy as possible, you can take old swimming trunks, cut them out and take a pattern from them. If the fabric is translucent, you will need to add another additional layer of fabric, in addition to the first.

Sewing

Then the fabric itself is sewn. The cut is processed with an elastic band, after which the ends of the product are formed. This can be fittings, satin ribbons or ties made of the same fabric from which the bathing suit was made.

Swimsuit bra

The bodice of a swimsuit is the most important thing, what the eyes of others are most often focused on. Therefore, it must be made impeccably. To achieve this, it is necessary to use only proven patterns, comparing them with your body parameters.

Open the back of the bra

After creating the pattern, you first need to create the back of the bra. To do this, fold the fabric twice, right side inward. Then pin the patterns and trace them on the fabric with soap or chalk. Make an allowance of 1 centimeter in the cuts at the top. Then you need to cut off the blanks and observe the thread bases.

Processing the back of the bra

The lower edge of the back bra part should be processed with a hem seam with an elastic band to ensure better fixation. To do this, fold the allowance with the elastic band inside out and stitch it using a flat seam from the front side, pulling the elastic band toward you.

Connection with cups

Next comes the connection of the back with the front. To do this, you need to mark the parts on several sides, cut off the excess and baste the ends of the back with the front.

Bottom edge edging

After this, you need to make a pattern of the tape to edge the lower edge of the cups. Sew one edge of the tape inside along the lower edge. Next, from the front side, make a bend of the lower edge and lay a stitch with a machine. The upper edge needs to be processed in the same way.

Making ties for a swimsuit

To make the ties, you need to cut out the tape and process the edges of this tape using a flat seam. They can be any length. Optimally, take 2 meters.

Connecting the ties to the bra

You can connect the ties with decorative rings or any other fittings, if desired. They are sold in any craft store. All you need is to connect the rings to the swimsuit and ties using fasteners.

Sewing on the fastener

Just like with the ties, you need to sew the fastener on the front by hand or use a machine.

Swimsuits for plus size ladies

Closed swimsuits look best on plump ladies. The easiest way to make them is based on existing ones. All you need is to cut out one old model, take the fabric and redraw the ready-made patterns for the new product. Then build in the elastic bands, like the sample, and stitch the patterns using a sewing machine. At the end, you can decorate the finished product by trying it on.

For example, fittings for the bodice, sequins in the area of ​​the top of the bra, and satin ribbons look very original on plump ladies. Products with machine or hand smooth embroidery look authentic.

For pregnant women

Any type of swimsuit will suit pregnant women. They will look perfect both in a closed and open suit. Supplementing the topic of how to sew a swimsuit with your own hands, when creating a product, it is important to remember that you need to leave enough space for the stomach and make tightening elastic bands on the panties so that they do not rub between the legs of the expectant mother. In order not to make an irreparable mistake, you should pay attention to a model that resembles a top and panties or a dress.

In this case, the stomach is not squeezed and the expectant mother feels more relaxed.

Push-up for a bra in a swimsuit

It is not necessary to make a push-up for a bra. You can take foam models already covered with fabric. There are two options for inserting a push-up into a swimsuit bodice. So, you can build it in during the merging of the front and lining fabric, or you can make a special pocket for its lining, from where it can be taken out and removed if desired. It is worth noting that many fashion designers use the latest technology when creating their summer beach collection. When making patterns for a swimsuit with a pocket, you can rely on existing designer drawings posted online in the public domain.

In general, it is possible to create a swimsuit with your own hands using the simple scheme above. Any water-repellent opaque fabric will do as a material. To create the product, you will need only a few measurements, depending on the type of swimsuit. Once sewing is complete, you can make an interesting design and insert a push-up.