Hibiscus Swimsuit Sew Along – Days 1 and 2.

Welcome to the Honeydew Kisses Hibiscus Swimsuit Sewalong! I am excited to get started!

If you haven’t picked up your pattern yet, get your pattern HERE.

For Day 1, our task is to pick the size you are making, cut out your pattern pieces, and cut out your fabric.

For Day 2, we will be sewing our bodice and attaching our bottoms. This is the most time intensive day, so if you want to skip ahead and get started on it, go for it!

Video Support

I have uploaded all the videos for the sew along onto my YouTube channel. Days 1 and 2 are combined into the first videos so you can watch the beginning only today or just jump in, watch it all, and be ready for tomorrow.

Here is the list with links of all the VIDEOS for the sew along:

• Day 1 and 2 – Sewing View A 
• Day 1 and 2 – Sewing View B
• Day 3 – Sewing the Binding and Straps
• Day 4 – Finishing the Leg Openings

Decisions, Decisions

To get started, you must decide on the size and options you want to make. The pattern comes with sizes NB to 14. When selecting your size, you will want to grade if you or your model fall into various measurements on the size chart. To select the length for the pieces, use trunk measurement. Also, make sure to grade your width if the chest or hips fall into a different size. I made a size 18 months for my youngest daughters width and used a 3T for her height!

Another important decision to make before we get started is whether you would like to make View A or View B. I discuss each option in today’s video and here are some photos of the suits I have made to give you a visual idea of their differences.

View A

View B

Tips for Sewing Swimwear

I remember when I first started sewing that I was so intimidated by the thought of sewing a swimsuit! I would look at the construction of swimsuits and always felt like it was more advanced than a home sewist should attempt.

I am so glad I pushed past my fears!!! I now have so many well fitting suits – seriously two baskets full! I never have been able to purchase suits that fit me as well as the ones I have made and that have the quality from season to season. I also have been able to make suits that fit my daughters well and that they have felt confident wearing in the pool. It seriously is such a joy that I never knew until I just went for it!

So, are you ready to jump into sewing swim with me? Let me share some of what I have learned.

(1) Always baste your lining to your main fabric before applying elastic or binding or any finishing, even if it is not stated in the pattern. It allows you to treat it as one piece and you don’t have the two layers shifting. You can concentrate on applying your finish evenly and not have shifting fabric.

(2) You do not need anything fancier than a regular sewing machine with a stretch stitch. I have a sewing machine, serger, and a coverstitch, but to be honest, I mainly use my zig sag on my sewing machine for a lot my finishing!! I will show using all my machines in my videos, but don’t worry if you only have a regular machine! Test your stitch on scraps before you get started and make sure your machine will allow you to sew a seam that stretches with your fabric.

(3) Use a stretch needle. Even though you don’t need a fancy machine to make a suit you love, you do need a stretch needle. A stretch needle will prevent holes or tears in your fabric and skipped stitches!

(4) Use clips, not pins. Pins can leave little holes in swim fabric. Clips can hold together pieces you are going to sew and make life so much easier. Maybe I am just biased towards clips because I have poked myself so many times with pins. 🙂

(5) Thread – I use Guterman Mara thread in my sewing machine and Maxilock for my serger. I have found that Maxilock stretch thread is really nice in my loopers and gives a stretchier seam when sewing swim or athletic, but it is not a requirement.

(6) It is slippery. The fabric will move. Slipperiness is going to happen so knowing it is half the battle. Listen to some good music or an audiobook and take your time. If the slipperiness is hard, disengage the knife on your serger, especially when sewing elastic. Once you have practiced and are more confident, you can sew with the knife shaving the edge for you (but never on the elastic, if the elastic gets nicked it will make it unravel over time).

I hope these tips have encouraged you that YOU GOT THIS! Let me know if you have any questions or need more help getting started.

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*Disclosures

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small compensation when you purchase via my link. This does not cost you anything, and I genuinely appreciate the support. Any and all opinions expressed are still my own.