- Getting Started. First things first: you don’t even need a serger to sew your own swimwear. Sure, it helps, but it’s not necessary.
- Topstitching. Topstitching in swimwear usually means stitching elastic to the wrong side, stitching a seam to one side to prevent rubbing on the inside, or finishing binding.
- Cutting Out. Before you lay and cut your pieces out from your fabric, you first need to do a stretch test to determine which direction has the greatest stretch.
- Finishing Edges. The edges of swimwear garments need to be secure and durable, so elastic is a great option. ...
- Swimwear Gusset. Most swimwear patterns come with a gusset piece. If yours does not, or if you are creating a swimsuit from a bodysuit pattern, you can easily draft one ...
- Elasticating Swimwear Legholes. Making sure that the leg holes of the elastic are properly elasticated is a huge factor in a successful swimsuit.
- Swimsuit Patterns. Top left: Megan Nielsen’s Cottesloe Swimsuit pattern is a great first time swimsuit sewer pattern because of the simple style lines, easy fit and limited details.
Full Answer
Do I need a serger to sew my own swimwear?
First things first: you don’t even need a serger to sew your own swimwear. Sure, it helps, but it’s not necessary. If you are using your regular sewing machine, all you need is a ball point sewing machine needle. These needles most of the time say STRETCH right on them.
How do you make swimwear with a sewing machine?
For a regular sewing machine, you may use a narrow zig-zag stitch or a stretch stitch setting. Fabric for swimwear needs to be 4-way stretch (stretches in all directions, usually about 20% spandex content) Also purchase elastic to finish edges (¼” – 3/8” for finishing edges, and 1” for waistband edges)
How to sew swimwear without skipping stitches?
The machine needle really is the key to sewing swimwear (and knits in general) without any skipped stitches. This is because the ball point needle doesn’t puncture the elastic fibers in the fabric, but simply pushes them to the side to create the stitch. For thread, you can use your standard all-purpose thread in a matching color to your fabric.
What kind of sewing machine needle do I need for swimwear?
If you are using your regular sewing machine, all you need is a ball point sewing machine needle. These needles most of the time say STRETCH right on them. The machine needle really is the key to sewing swimwear (and knits in general) without any skipped stitches.
How to sew elastic on swimsuit?
How to sew a gusset in a bathing suit?
How to make a gusset for a sleeveless shirt?
How to hold a gusset in place?
Why do swimwear needles say STRETCH?
How to stretch fabric before cutting?
Do you need a serger to sew swimwear?
See 2 more
Can I sew a bathing suit without a serger?
This might go without saying, but stretch fabric = stretch stitches! Sergers are a popular choice for the inside seams of swimsuits, but there is no reason you can't use a regular machine to sew the entire swimsuit. The zigzag stitch, triple zigzag stitch, and lightning bolt stitch are all fantastic options.
Can you hand sew a bathing suit?
Not only can you sew a custom suit fit to your style and measurements, but there are lots of fun printed and solid fabrics that work great for swimwear. You can also create a swimsuit with a basic sewing machine- no special machines necessary.
What stitch do you use to sew a swimsuit?
But you HAVE to stretch the fabric as you're sewing it or it will just break when you put it on.) This is a zig zag that uses three little stitches on each “leg” which makes it an extra strong stitch that can also stretch! Most swimsuit patterns just tell you to do a zig-zag for all stitching which works fine.
How do you make a swimsuit with a sewing machine?
6:3416:24Swimwear Sewing 101- Sew your own swimsuits! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAll of the open edges of the suit need elastic attached to it. So we have an armhole. And two armMoreAll of the open edges of the suit need elastic attached to it. So we have an armhole. And two arm holes. And we have this whole front neck all the way down to the scoop in the back.
What kind of fabric is used for swimsuits?
The best fabric for swimwear is a polyester/elastane blend. Elastane is the super stretchy fabric better known by the brand names Spandex or Lycra. Polyester is colorfast and resistant to chlorine, making it a perfect choice. Nylon is another good fabric for swimwear, but it is more likely to pill over time.
What fabric do you use for swimwear?
Polyester swimwear fabrics, blended with Lycra (or spandex), have the greatest level of durability. Stretch polyester, however, is a very general category. There are literally hundreds, if not thousands, of different blends from various fabric mills.
How many yards of fabric do I need for a swimsuit?
To get the bikini of your dreams, try making one yourself! You'll need to buy stylish swimwear fashion fabric as well as lining fabric – about 1⁄2 to 3⁄4 yd (0.46 to 0.69 m) of each – plus thread, bust pads, and swimwear elastic.
Should I get a serger or a sewing machine?
If you want fast, neat, factory-precise seams on your garments, a serger is the best way to achieve them. While some sewing machines come with an overlock function to enclose the fabric edge, it will never look as professional as a seam made with a serger.
Is it easy to sew a bathing suit?
Sewing bathing suit fabric is different from sewing other fabrics and you need to test everything out over and over until you find what works for you. And at that point you'll see that it's actually pretty easy and you'll be ready to start working on your bikinis, bathing suits and swim caps!
How many yards of fabric does it take to make a swimsuit?
To get the bikini of your dreams, try making one yourself! You'll need to buy stylish swimwear fashion fabric as well as lining fabric – about 1⁄2 to 3⁄4 yd (0.46 to 0.69 m) of each – plus thread, bust pads, and swimwear elastic.
How do you fix a ripped bathing suit?
Sew a swimsuit repair patch—Because swimsuit fabric can be hard to sew directly, one option is to put a patch over the tear and then darn the patch to the suit. (Darning just means sewing back and forth along the edges.)
How much does it cost to make a swimsuit?
Most retailers mark up their clothes between five and six times (!!) the cost of manufacturing. This means a $35 swimsuit probably costs between $1.10 and $2.19 to produce, and that number includes raw materials AND labor.
How to sew elastic on swimsuit?
While serging/stitching, slightly stretch JUST the elastic. Then flip sewn elastic to the wrong side and topstitch, working from the right side either using a twin needle, cover stitch machine or zig-zag stitch. You’ll end up with an elasticated edge that is slightly gathered and supportive.
How to sew a gusset in a bathing suit?
To sew the gusset into the bathing suit bottoms, first place the front piece right-side-up on the table with the back piece right-side-down, aligning the crotch lines. Then pin the gusset wrong side down on the back piece so you have three layers.
How to make a gusset for a sleeveless shirt?
Along your center front starting at the crotch point seamline, measure up 4” and mark. Then using a curved ruler, draw a smooth curve going into the front leg line. Extract the gusset piece by placing a piece of paper over top and tracing around the crotch line, leg line and drawn curve. Label gusset and cut one in lining fabric.
How to hold a gusset in place?
To hold the gusset in place simply baste inside the leg hole seam allowance.
Why do swimwear needles say STRETCH?
This is because the ball point needle doesn’t puncture the elastic fibers in the fabric, but simply pushes them to the side to create the stitch.
How to stretch fabric before cutting?
You can use a ruler or a cutting mat as a guide. Place two pins in your fabric about 5” apart and, while stretching the fabric, keep one pin at 0 and see where the second pin can stretch to. Repeat for both grains.
Do you need a serger to sew swimwear?
First things first: you don’t even need a serger to sew your own swimwear. Sure, it helps, but it’s not necessary. If you are using your regular sewing machine, all you need is a ball point sewing machine needle. These needles most of the time say STRETCH right on them.
What Do Seam Finishes Do?
Seam finishes are used to stop the edges of your seams from fraying. If they got close enough together, it would result in holes all along that stitching line and everything you did sewing up these pieces might be wasted work!
Finish Seams With Serger
If you have a serger, there are a few different seam finishes that you can use. The most common is the overlock stitch. This stitch will help to keep your seams from fraying and also gives them a nice finished look.
Finish Seams Without Serger
If you don’t have a serger, there are still a few different seam finishes that you can use. Let’s have a look at them in detail.
Conclusion
There are a number of seam finishes that can be sewn without a serger, and each one has its own benefits. Which seam finish is best for you will depend on the fabric you’re using and the project you’re working on. Try out a few different seam finishes to see which ones work best for you.
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Hello! My name is Henry Leo. I have a Master's Degree in Fashion Designing & love to sew. I also work as a test analyst in the Textiles. Sewing is my passion, so I would like to share my knowledge with you. This website will help you in finding the best sewing machine according to your need.
How much seam allowance should I use for swimsuits?
Tips for Construction. Most Swimwear is sewn with a 1/4" seam allowance- follow your pattern instructions for this. You most likely will be adding elastic leg bands which will keep the leg openings nice and tight around your legs. I like to add cups for additional support and coverage in my swimsuits.
What material should I use for swimwear?
It's important to use the right material for swimwear. I typically look for a Nylon Spandex blend with 4-way stretch. You will want to use high quality fabric with coverage. Nylon/Spandex blends are versatile for swim and athletic wear.
What is a walking foot for sewing?
The walking foot is a moving feed system that holds and moves fabric between the presser foot's upper feed go and the machine's lower feed dogs to better control difficult fabrics (like knits/spandex/etc) as well as multiple layers of fabric. It came in handy when sewing the thicker layers of the spandex binding along the swimsuit edge.
What needle do you use for spandex?
You will want to use a ball point needle when sewing with spandex/knit fabrics or you may get skipped stitches. You will also sew with a zigzag stitch when using your sewing machine or a special stretch stitch that some machines have. I prefer a basic zigzag that is 2.0 wide and 2.5 length.
What do you use to cut out stretchy fabric?
When working with stretchy fabrics like spandex/nylon/polyester (or any knit for that matter), I use pattern weights, a rotary cutter, and mat to cut the pattern out. It's much easier this way, saves time, and great for slippery, stretchy materials like swimwear fabric.
How to measure for elastic?
Measure the opening and subtract 1". This will be the measurement you will want to cut the elastic to equal. Or refer to your pattern measurements.
Where to pin elastic on a sleeve?
Pin the the elastic to the wrong side of the leg opening matching the quarter marks.
What size elastic should I use for swimwear?
If the elastic is too stiff, the final appearance will not be appealing, if the elastic is to wide or thin, it won’t do the job of holding the garment together without puckering or pinching. I recommend using 3/8 inch (1 cm) bra ided elastic (shown). It is soft, easy to attach and the size and width are the ideal ones, trust me. Click below for details:
How to make elastic fit properly without pattern?
If you are not using a pattern, this is my suggestion: Measure the size of the opening where you will sew the elastic (waist area, leg openings, etc.). Subtract 1” to that amount and presto! With this reduction and the overlap when you attach it, the elastic will fit properly, without too much gathering.
Do you need a sewing machine for a swimsuit?
You will only need a domestic sewing machine with zig-zag stitching with ball point needles. To get a good fit, the elastic should be a bit smaller than the opening you will be sewing it in. If you are using a sewing pattern, follow the instructions for the elastic length. My pattern shop has three styles of swimwear patterns, ideal for beginners. They come with step-by-step pictures and instructions in English and Spanish. I also have elastics, cord ends and pattern kit that include everything needed to make a swimsuit just for you!
Can you sew a swimsuit with an overlock?
For those of you that would just like to be able to sew your own swimsuit, good news: you can do it, no overlock/serger, ...
What material should I use for swimwear?
Fabric: It's important to use the right material for swimwear. I typically look for a Nylon/Spandex blend with 4-way stretch. You will want to use high quality fabric with coverage. Nylon/Spandex blends are versatile for swim and athletic wear. You can also find some manufacturers that add UPF protection!
Where to pin elastic on a sleeve?
Pin the elastic to the wrong side of the leg opening matching the quarter marks.
What is a walking foot for sewing?
"The walking foot is a moving feed system that holds and moves fabric between the presser foot's upper feed go and the machine's lower feed dogs to better control difficult fabrics (like knits/spandex/etc) as well as multiple layer s of fabric." It came in handy when sewing the thicker layers of the spandex binding along the swimsuit edge.
What needle do you use for spandex?
You will want to use a ball point needle when sewing with spandex/knit fabrics or you may get skipped stitches. You will also sew with a zigzag stitch when using your sewing machine or a special stretch stitch that some machines have. I prefer a basic zigzag that is 2.0 wide and 2.5 length.
How to cut out spandex?
When working with stretchy fabrics like spandex (or any knit for that matter), I use pattern weights, a rotary cutter, and mat to cut the pattern out. It's much easier this way, saves time, and great for slippery, stretchy materials like spandex. You will also want to cut 1 full pattern piece (don't use folds) 1 layer at a time.
How to measure for elastic?
Measure the opening and subtract 1". This will be the measurement you will want to cut the elastic to equal. Or refer to your pattern measurements.
Can you sew a swimsuit?
But, once I gave it a try, I learned with the right tips and tricks it’s a great project to try out. Not only can you sew a custom suit fit to your style and measurements, but there are a lot of fun prints offered in fabrics suited for swimwear. You can create a swimsuit with a basic sewing machine - no special machines necessary. Get the details below in our Sewing Swimwear Guide so you can make your own!
How to sew elastic on swimsuit?
While serging/stitching, slightly stretch JUST the elastic. Then flip sewn elastic to the wrong side and topstitch, working from the right side either using a twin needle, cover stitch machine or zig-zag stitch. You’ll end up with an elasticated edge that is slightly gathered and supportive.
How to sew a gusset in a bathing suit?
To sew the gusset into the bathing suit bottoms, first place the front piece right-side-up on the table with the back piece right-side-down, aligning the crotch lines. Then pin the gusset wrong side down on the back piece so you have three layers.
How to make a gusset for a sleeveless shirt?
Along your center front starting at the crotch point seamline, measure up 4” and mark. Then using a curved ruler, draw a smooth curve going into the front leg line. Extract the gusset piece by placing a piece of paper over top and tracing around the crotch line, leg line and drawn curve. Label gusset and cut one in lining fabric.
How to hold a gusset in place?
To hold the gusset in place simply baste inside the leg hole seam allowance.
Why do swimwear needles say STRETCH?
This is because the ball point needle doesn’t puncture the elastic fibers in the fabric, but simply pushes them to the side to create the stitch.
How to stretch fabric before cutting?
You can use a ruler or a cutting mat as a guide. Place two pins in your fabric about 5” apart and, while stretching the fabric, keep one pin at 0 and see where the second pin can stretch to. Repeat for both grains.
Do you need a serger to sew swimwear?
First things first: you don’t even need a serger to sew your own swimwear. Sure, it helps, but it’s not necessary. If you are using your regular sewing machine, all you need is a ball point sewing machine needle. These needles most of the time say STRETCH right on them.
