Swimsuit trends may come and go, but a classic one-piece will never go out of style. With a universally flattering cut, the Marlowe Swimsuit is the perfect basic one-piece for swimming, surfing, or enjoying your favorite beach read. Plus, it’s perfect for showing off a fun print, like the ones seen in Mood’s latest tricot drop! Discover how to make this stunning swimsuit for yourself, and let us know where you’ll be taking the Marlowe this summer!

Purchase Materials Used Below:

• 2 yards of Orange and Turquoise Art Nouveau Leaves UV Protective Compression Swimwear Tricot with Aloe Vera Microcapsules
• 1 yard of Ferrari Off-White Stretch Mesh
• 2 packs of Dritz Cotton Swimwear Elastic – 0.375″
• 1 spool of 352 Coral Rose 100m Gutermann Sew All Thread
• MDF314 – The Marlowe Swimsuit Sewing Pattern (free download below!)

Alternative Recommended Fabrics:

• Tricot
• Scuba/Neoprene
• Swimwear Fabrics

The following steps are major, as they will determine how your garment will come to react with the cutting and sewing process. When cutting stretch, a key factor to remember is that all edges will eventually start rolling, which can make your whole cut look unprofessional.

There are several methods to alleviate this. For this example, you will need about 2-3 yards of dotted paper or any lightweight paper, as well as weights to hold the pattern down and quality scissors. A serger would be ideal, but this swimsuit can be sewn using a regular straight stitch sewing machine that has a zigzag. Ball point needles are needed on regular straight stitch machines to sew knits.

After piecing the pattern together, grab your paper and create the other half of the swimsuits. Placing a pattern on the fold for stretch fabric is not recommended. Working flat will result in better ease and quality. Alternatively, you can trace the pattern on the wrong side of the fabric with a pencil or water-soluble pen, flip the pattern, and then trace it again; just be sure you are accounting for the width of the pen and placing the pattern at the edge of your pattern marks.

Begin by placing a large piece of paper, big enough to fit the pattern, fabric, and additional pattern piece. When working with prints, be sure to take your time and pick the positions you would like your print to go, using dotted paper will help, thanks to its transparency. Use weights and make sure to not put them so close to the edge.

You will cut all the layers together. Do the same process for both pattern pieces.

You will cut all the layers together. Do the same process for both pattern pieces.

Cut each pattern piece out of the power mesh and tricot. Note: We used a jersey for the lining, but this is optional. Alternatively, you can simply line the swimsuit with the tricot fabric.

• Place each fabric piece as follows for a professional finish.
• Place your front piece first, the wrong side facing the table, and print towards you.
• Place your back piece on top, print facing print, the wrong side facing you.
• Place back power mesh on top
• Place Front power mesh on top of the back
• Place facing on top

Sew Side seams only, using a serger. If you are using a straight stitch machine, you can sew by stretching the materials slightly to give it ease. Stitches won’t break when the garment is being stretched.
Turn each side to their corresponding pieces, once turned over you will see that we have hidden the side seams.

Baste stitch all edges together with the prints to close the openings. Then, we will use a straight stitch to finish.

Get your swimwear elastic and measure about half of each leg opening, neckline, and armscye. Cut out of elastic, and then overlock the edges and elastic together.

The elastic is sewn on the entire edge of the legs, armholes, and neckline turn over and sew a ¼” rolled hem. Allow the serger, or overlock stitch to show on the wrong side. This will give the appearance as if sewn on a coverstitch machine. Just remember to slightly stretch the material when sewing these straight stretches.

When finished, your elastic will bunch up and provide you with enough stretched and your stiches won’t break.