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If you ever want a project to challenge your sewing skills just make a swimsuit (or four) on a deadline!
I was lucky enough to be able to be a tester for Patterns for Pirates new Take The Plunge one-piece suit which means for the last couple of weeks swim suits are ALL I have been sewing. The whole process of being a tester was an absolute blast though, and while it was stressful at times trying to make something perfect to photograph while sewing with swimwear fabric for literally the first time ever, I now have three new suits (one was a total lost cause) that are comfortable, fit me really well, and that I am very proud of.
Sewing with swimwear is tricky for a lot of reasons. Mostly, for me at least, because of how light weight and slippery the fabric typically is. There are also a lot more layers and shaping in swimwear than in a lot of other clothing items which can make them trickier, especially the placement of those things can be all that is stopping you from a celebrity level clothing malfunction. To say these suits tested my sewing skills would be an understatement but I picked up a lot of new skills during the process as well, including flawlessly attaching elastic into seams with my serger, reaping out surged seams with ease, and even top stitching. All great skills that will make the rest of the clothes I make even more professional looking (hopefully!).
As for this particular suit, it is a one piece design with a ruched front top, fullback, low back, and halter back top options, and ruched, regular, and skirted bottom options. You could easily make ten plus completely different swimsuits from just this pattern alone! The suit is fully lined, with no exposed seams, giving it a very professional feeling finish. The two suits I am most proud of are both full back, plain bottoms because I am basic and didn’t want to mess with a good thing! This was the first time I have ever even attempted to make a swimsuit and to say I was nervous was an understatement. The pattern is so clearly written, however, and with the support of the P4P pattern group on Facebook you are almost guaranteed not to fail.
Pattern: Take the Plunge Swimsuit
Designer: Patterns for Pirates
Size Made: plus 1 x top, XXL waist and bottoms
Documentaries watched while sewing: Two or there for each suit. This is a time consuming make for sure.
Fabric: JoAnn’s Performance and Swim fabric and nude swim lining
Will I make it again?: Heck’s yeah! A two piece hack of this suit is the next thing on my to do list
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