Swimwear Basics
Making swimwear is a very satisfying process, and this guide will walk you through all of the basics you’ll need to make a high-quality swimsuit at home. Making a swimsuit that is custom-fitted to your body and comfortable is possibly one of the best things you’ll ever do.
Self
Swimwear patterns are drafted with negative ease, which means the finished garment measurements are smaller than the body measurements. Swimwear fabric should be made entirely of man-made fibers, with nylon (80% to 90%) and Lycra or spandex being the most common.
Lining
Halenka lining is an excellent choice for swimwear projects because it has a soft hand and four-way stretch. Cotton swimwear elastic is woven with rubber to give it stretch and strength. Rubber elastic can also be used to make swimwear.
Tips for using wooly nylon thread:
Avoid cotton thread, which will be weakened by chlorine and salt water, and cut single layers whenever possible to give you more control as you pin and sew. Use ball point pins to prevent any runs in your fabric.
Seaming
The standard seam allowance for most swimwear projects is 3/8 inch, and if using a domestic machine, a mock overlock stitch can be a great option. Always test your stitch on scrap fabric and stretch your sample to ensure it offers adequate strength and stretch.
Sewing elastic
In most cases, elastic is used to finish the edges of your swimwear project, with the sewn and turned method being the most common. Elastic should be cut to be 25% smaller than the opening it is finishing, plus 3/8 for overlap if sewing in then round, then cutting.
Cups
Foam cups are a popular choice in ready-to-wear swimwear; however, foam cups designed for lingerie may not withstand chlorinated or salt water, and lingerie cups may absorb a lot of water, making them less absorbent.
Underwire
Underwire is my favorite way to achieve extra bust support, but not all swimsuits are designed to accommodate it. If you know you need underwire, look for a pattern with cups attached to a full band.
Stays
Stays are created by top stitching approximately 3/8 away from a seam in the same way that underwire is. Always cut your stays to be 1/4u2033 smaller than the finished measurement of your channel to prevent the stays from stretching fabric unattractively.
Is it hard to sew swimsuits?
Sewing bathing suit fabric is different than sewing other fabrics, and you’ll have to experiment until you figure out what works best for you; once you do, you’ll see that it’s actually quite simple, and you’ll be ready to start making bikinis, bathing suits, and swim caps!
Can you sew a bathing suit?
Not only can you sew a custom suit to fit your style and measurements, but there are also a variety of fun printed and solid fabrics that work well for swimwear, and you can make a swimsuit with just a basic sewing machine–no special machines required.
How much does it cost to make a swimsuit?
This means that a $35 swimsuit will most likely cost between $1.10 and $2.19 to make, including both raw materials and labor. No matter where you live, getting paid less than $2.19 to sew an entire swimsuit is not a living wage.
How much money do you need to start a swimwear brand?
Raising Money Because the costs of starting a swimwear line range from $1,052 to $28,819, there are several ways to raise funds to cover these costs. Here are a few options: Launch your product on Kickstarter.
Can you alter swimsuit bottoms?
Whether you need to take in seams to make your suit snug again or add a few inches to make it fit without pulling, alterations are something you can do yourself if you’re comfortable with sewing.
What is the best fabric for bathing suits?
For several years, polyester fabric has dominated the competitive swimwear industry, whether blended with Lycra u00ae or used alone. New polyester technologies have improved the hand and feel of the material, allowing it to surpass other fabrics.
What kind of thread do you use to sew a bathing suit?
Instead of cotton thread, which will be weakened by chlorine and salt water, use polyester thread. Wooly nylon thread is strong and resilient, making it ideal for swim and athletic wear. Wooly nylon thread can also be used in your home sewing machine.
What is the best fabric for swimsuits?
Fabrics primarily made of nylon with at least 10%-20% Lycra or spandex are recommended for Seamwork swimwear patterns; you can also look for polyester blends with the same percentage of spandex. Tricot swimwear lining
Can you wear a bra swimming?
If you’re wondering why you shouldn’t wear a bra while swimming, the answer is simple: most bras aren’t designed to withstand water. When you swim in a pool, the water contains chemicals that kill bacteria.
Why are swimsuits so expensive?
u201cSwimsuits may not require a lot of fabric,u201d she explains, u201cbut there are a lot of technical aspects to swimwear design that are quite laborious and, as a result, more expensive.u201d This includes everything from unique stitching and boning practices to the use of elastics and wires.
What swimsuit material lasts longest?
Polyester Swimsuit Fabric Blends: Polyester swimwear fabrics that have been blended with Lycra (or spandex) have the best durability.
How many swimsuits should you own?
Well, in my opinion, there is no set number of swimsuits you should own, but you should have at least three. Over the years, I’ve learned that the number of anything you own is directly proportional to how much you enjoy shopping for that thing.
What is swimsuit material?
Swimwear Fabrics Swimwear is available in a wide range of styles, body coverage, and materials, depending on community standards of modesty, as well as current fashions and personal preferences. Fabrics include polyester, tricot, nylon, neoprene, and others.
Where can I buy bathing suit material?
10 Online Fabric Stores for Swimwear
- Best Value Buttonsu2013 Don’t let the name fool you, this shop has TONS of swimwear fabric, including designer prints.
- Etsy.comu2013 Etsy has new shops popping up all the time.
- Solid Stone Fabricsu2013 This is actually a wholesaler with VERY low minimums.