Hello everyone! I am today’s stop of the Raspberry Creek Suit Up for Summer Blog Tour, and I am so excited to show you what I have made! I made swimsuits for my three daughters as well as myself and am going to tell you all about them in today’s post. Hopefully it brings some inspiration and joy to your day!

Spring has just begun in my area of the world, and it feels so nice to be a little closer to summer and to be looking forward to warmer weather, days by the pool, and time to stop and relax. I really enjoy sewing swimsuits, and I remember before I sewed my first one several years ago, I was so intimidated by swim fabric! 

Don’t let the slipperiness of swim intimidate you. It is not that much different than sewing with a knit fabric. You need to sew using a stretch stitch and to remember that when a step in the pattern calls for basting, don’t skip it! Also, you can construct most swimsuits using only your sewing machine. If you don’t have a coverstitch machine, a good ole zig zag is the best way to topstitch. I have a coverstitch machine but still find myself doing this when I sew swim. 

As far as fabric, I have several suits I have made using Raspberry Creek swim fabric over the last 2 years, and it has held up wonderfully to chlorine, sun, salt, and all the hard things I and my kids seem to put swimsuits through. We have a pool in my backyard, so you better believe we put this fabric to the test during the summer of 2020. It seemed to be a huge part of our everyday life!

Let’s get into all the little details of each suit I made. I will chat about my suit first, and then go from oldest to youngest. Read to the end because I have a discount code for you.

My Swimsuit – The Pattern and Details 

I used the Greenstyle North Shore Swimsuit pattern to make my swimsuit in the Tropical Floral print from Raspberry Creek. This fabric has aqua blue, magenta, yellow, and green in it. It is so beachy and makes me so excited for summer! The print is matte and the fabric base is a polyester spandex.

For my top, I used the full cup deep V option on the front with the halter on the back. Even though I do not have a large bust, I still like the full cup option better because it covers my full breast, and I can run about and not feel like I may expose myself. 

I changed up the halter by making my halter straps about 30 inches longer than the pattern piece so that I created super long ties rather than one short one that ties at the back of my neck. I wanted a channel for the ties to go through so instead of adding a hook to my back piece, I folded the ends under to create a casing for my extra long ties.

I played around with how to wrap and tie them and settled on in the front. I actually thought tied in the back looked cuter in the mirror, but I had the hardest time getting it even so I just tied it in front. I still did not quite get it as even as I wished for photos, but it is functional and comfortable so I am happy!

For my bottoms, I did the high rise bottoms included in the North Shore swimsuit pattern. I ran out of fabric to do my waistband so I created a casing and attached my elastic inside. It worked! It is not as high as it would have been if I had done it correctly but it is still high enough to hold in my squishiest parts.

I have a sew along for this swimsuit pattern if you want to make one with me. You can find it here. 

Isn’t this floral fabric so pretty!!! We will talk about the fabric some more, but first… let’s get into my girls suits!

My Oldest Daughter’s Swimsuit – The Pattern and Details

For my oldest daughter, I used the Honeydew Kisses Patterns Hibiscus Swimsuit in Style B. I used this adorable lemon swimsuit fabric. The lemons have yellow, orange, and mint and unlike the other swim fabrics I used in this post, this particular print is available on swim, jersey, french terry, and double brushed poly. 

I paired the lemons with the grey and white gingham swim at Raspberry Creek Fabrics, and I love this combo!

I have made several of this suit pattern for my girls, and it is one they each have loved so much. My daughter is growing out of kids sizes and wanted one last suit out of this pattern before I can’t make it for her anymore. Based on measurements, she perfectly fit the size 14, but her trunk length was over the biggest size in the pattern. So, I added length and thankfully got a perfect fit for her!

If you want to sew this pattern with me, I have a sew along for it here. This pattern is just so cute for mixing and matching swim fabrics. My daughter picked the leg flounce for this suit. You can also choose from a waist ruffle, side ruffle, and neckline flounce. 

My favorite part of this suit (besides all the fun flounces and ruffles!) is the back. It is so pretty!

My Middle Daughter’s Swimsuit – The Pattern and Details

My middle daughter knew exactly what she wanted when I told her I was making her a swimsuit to get ready for summer. She ran and grabbed this Striped Swallow Designs Into the Blue suit I made her on the blog tour last year and said she wanted this same pattern again. She picked this Navy Pin Stripe Tropical Floral for her fabric. I love the colors in this and the stripe and floral combo. 

The first few times I made this pattern for her, I made the option for a peekaboo opening between the top and bottom on the back, but this time she asked for a solid back so that she did not have any extra tan lines or places to remember sun screen. 

I love how modest this suit is and still so cute on her! The front bodice has different tie options. I chose the rounded tie.

My Youngest Daughter’s Swimsuit – The Pattern and Details 

For my youngest daughter, I used bits and pieces from other swimsuits – the lemons from my oldest daughter and the tropical floral from mine. I think these two fabrics are so pretty together. She kept calling them oranges and wanted her entire suit to be oranges!

The pattern I used for her swimsuit is the Made for Mermaids Calypso. This suit has high waisted bikini bottoms and a halter top. The halter has the option for one or two flounces. These flounces took up much more fabric than I expected, but they were worth every bit of it. They are so cute!

Her little belly likes to push the bottoms down, but if I pull them up over her belly, it looks like she is wearing a one piece.

The only thing she did not like about this suit is the elastic in the top. I made sure that it was not too tight, but I think the next time I will leave the elastic out since the top is tight enough without it and the halter keeps it up. I hope I don’t regret that! She didn’t seem to be bothered by the elastic in the bottoms at all thankfully!

I am so glad I got the chance to take part in the Raspberry Creeks 2021 Swim Tour. If you want to get ready for summer, take 15% off Raspberry Creek’s swim fabric this week using the discount code “SWIMTOUR.”

Resources

• Tropical Swim Fabric, Pattern, and Sew Along for my swimsuit
• Lemon Swim Fabric, Gingham Swim Fabric, Pattern, and Sew Along for my oldest daughter’s swimsuit
• Navy Stripe Tropical Floral and Pattern for my middle daughter’s swimsuit
• Lemon Swim Fabric, Tropical Swim Fabric, and Pattern for my youngest daughter’s swimsuit
• Swim lining used in all the suits

I hope I have inspired you in today’s post!  I would love to stay connected with you. You can find me on Instagram. You can subscribe to my YouTube channel HERE. If you want to take a look into the things that inspire me, you can follow me on Pinterest. You may also follow my blog with Bloglovin.

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.

Visit all the other wonderful bloggers on the tour:

Sew Mary Mac  Merritts Makes  Wild + Wanderful  Call Ajaire

Made by Kates  Violet and Jewels  Sweet Mama Life  All Things Katy!

Intensely Distracted  Pins & Pinot  My Heart Will Sew On  The Petite Sewist

All My Spare Time  Kara Metta  Handcrafted by RED  Sincerely, Shantelle

Replicate Then Deviate  That’s Sew Kari  Desert Blooms  Boo + Lu

Titchy Threads  Sew A Little Seam  Simple Life Pattern Co.  Pattern for Pirates  Ellie and Mac

Lowland Kids  Gingham Hive  Striped Swallow Designs  Honeydew Kisses  Little Lizard King

Jennuine Designs  Greenstyle Creations  Made for Mermaids  Call Ajaire  Hey June  Boo Designs!

  Sofiona Designs  Love Notions  Lil Luxe Collection  Jalie  Sweet Red Poppy

If you haven’t grabbed your pattern yet, you can purchase the rash guard HERE and the bottoms HERE. Don’t forget to use code WaimeaSALpattern for 25% off your pattern. Also, make sure to comment on my posts each day with your progress or any questions in the Greenstyle Creations Facebook group so you can be entered to win our prizes from our sponsors Greenstyle and Made Whimsy Fabric.

Today’s task is to finish our rash guard by putting in our neckband, hemming our sleeves, and either hemming or banding the bottom of our top. You can find today’s video HERE.

If you need to catch up on any of the sew along posts, here is the schedule:

• Day 0 – Get Supplies
• Day 1 – Select your size, cut out pattern pieces, and cut out your fabric
• Day 2 – Sew the Bottoms
• Day 3 – Finish Bottoms + Bottom Hacks
• Day 4 – Sew the Rash Guard Front and Back, Sew the Sleeve
• Day 5 – YOU ARE HERE – Sew the Side Seam, Hemming, and Bands
• Day 6 – Finish and Show Me What You Have Made!

Thanks for joining me, and I hope you have had fun this week!

You may follow me on Instagram. If you want to take a look into the things that inspire me, you can follow me on Pinterest. You may also follow my blog with Bloglovin.

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.

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.

Thanks for stopping by today!  I would love to stay connected with you. You can find me on Instagram. If you want to take a look into the things that inspire me, you can follow me on Pinterest. You may also follow my blog with Bloglovin.

*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.