Summer is around the corner, and I can’t wait until beaches re-open! It’s officially time to start searching for the perfect swimsuit, and what better way to add one to your wardrobe than making one yourself? Our Reed Swimsuit free sewing pattern features slightly high-waisted bottoms paired with an absolutely adorable twist-front, puff sleeve top. Get a little extra protection from the sun with Mood’s Aloe Vera infused tricots, or try any one of their cute neoprene prints!
Purchase Materials Used Below:
- 1.5 yards Crochet Beads UV Protective Compression Tricot with Aloe Vera Microcapsules
- 1 yard Nude Shaper Power-Mesh
- 1 yard 1/2″ Elastic (This can be hard to find at the moment with everyone making masks, so any elastic 1″ wide or less should work!)
- MDF199 – The Reed Swimsuit Sewing Pattern (free download below!)
Alternative Recommended Fabrics:
All seam allowances are 1/2″ unless otherwise stated. See chart below for sizing specifications. Note, this specific pattern is available up to a size 30.
CLICK HERE FOR TIPS FOR SEWING TRICOT & SWIMWEAR
First, it is recommended that you use a serger or stretch stitch on your regular machine for the entirety of this pattern. Attach your side front lining pieces to either side of your center front lining, like you see below.
Next, attach your front and back main fabric pieces along one side seam. Repeat with your lining, sewing up the opposide side seam this time. Your main layer and lining should be mirrored, like you see below.
Lay your lining face to face over your main layer and sew at the front and back neckline. Be sure to clip the seam allowance at the angle of the front neckline so the fabric doesn’t pull when you eventually turn the garment right side out.
With the faces together, sew the front and back together at the shoulder seam on the same side where your side seam is already sewn. Turn your top right side out.
Matching up the side seams, fold your main layer and lining layer inward 1/2″. Pinch, and pull partially inside out, like you see in the second picture below. Stitch along the bottom edge on the front of your bodice. Pull right side out and repeat with the back edge.
Pull your top right side out again and lay flat. Twist the front of your bodice on the side that isn’t sewn to the back yet. It should make 1 full rotation. With the faces together, sew the shoulders together.
Open up your side seams and sew them together similarly to the shoulder, matching up your bottom seams.
Create each of your sleeves, sewing up the inseam with the fabric faces together, and set into each armscye.
Starting at the center front, edge-stitch along the bottom of your swimsuit top with a simple zig-zag stitch.
If you choose not to add elastic to the bottom of your sleeves, your swimsuit top would now be complete!
If you do want the puff sleeves, cut 2 pieces of elastic to comfortably fit around your upper arm. Starting at the inseam, pin it 1.5″ from the bottom of your sleeve. Pin it every few inches, stretching the elastic as you do, until your sleeve is fully gathered. Stretch the elastic as you sew with a simple straight stitch as you secure it to the sleeve.
The bottoms to this swimsuit go together very quickly. First, fold each piece in half and sew up the side seams, faces together. Repeat with your lining.
Next, set the lining into your main layer, faces together. Sew along the top waistline edge. Turn right side out.
Fold the raw edges of the leg holes inward 1/2″ and pin. Sew along the edges with a zig-zag stitch to secure.
Will you be giving the Reed Swimsuit a try? Let me know what fabric you’re considering in the comments!
16 comments
This is so cute! And the crochet print is like having a vintage 70s swimmer
I love it, but I made it and I’m having a hard time keeping the top from going up and showing my boobs!
I was wondering about that myself. I wonder how it would be for large chested women? I would need more coverage at the top, but I like the design!
Try adding some elastic cinching the back or taking in the side seams at the bottom of the seam! I also harvested some cups from an old swimsuit and inserted them in the boob part of this suit.
I am making it for my daughter, who is larger on top, so I am going to try and modify it so she will fill comfortable. I will let you know how it goes.
I’m scared to make this pattern, because I’m worried the puff sleeves will look strange after they get wet. Can anyone who has worn a swimsuit with puff sleeves tell me how the swimsuit looks after it get’s wet?
Great pattern, thanks so much for sharing! I sewed some swim cups into the lining, adjusted the width of the back pieces, and added some foldover elastic to the edges of the bottoms, and it all turned out beautifully.
Great pattern! For the top, I added 2 separate pieces of elastic under the boob areas, so that it would fit more snuggly.
Ps. Buy more fabric than you think you’ll need. The pieces are very large.
todos los.patrones están muy hermosos
Love this pattern! Does anyone know how to extend the sleeve pattern to make It 3/4 sleeve?
What other types of fabric would you recommend for swimwear?
Hello Ruby, We’re sorry for the delayed response! We get dozens upon dozens of questions each day, and sometimes a few might slip through the cracks! Regardless, we wanted to answer this: Mood has a variety of swimswear fabrics to choose from!
how do i print the pattern for the bottoms? the link just gave me a pattern for the top 🙁
nvm 🙂 figured it out
Could you tell me how to find I’ve got the same problem
Hi Anne, the bottoms are located on the very last row! 🙂