Way back in June of 2016, we hosted Swimwear Month, full of curvy swimwear-making tutorials, pattern reviews, and inspiration (see a wrap-up of all of the Swimwear Month posts here!). Since it’s been over a year since our curvy swimwear bonanza, we thought it would be valuable to revisit the world of curvy swimwear to see what’s been going on since then!
Here’s an update on curvy swimwear patterns, swimwear-related tutorials and other goodies released since we aired our theme month, or that we overlooked at that time. We are also highlighting some inspiring curvy swimwear projects we’ve seen kicking around the internet in the interim.
Curvy Swimwear Patterns
- Seamstress Erin Designs Laminaria Swimsuit– up to size 24 and cup size F
- Bootstrap Fashion has several custom-fit swimsuit patterns, up to 67″ bust, 68″ low hip
- Jalie Gigi Bikini– up to 50″ full bust, 53″ hip
- Jalie Valerie Swimshirt/Rashguard– up to 50″ full bust, 53″ hip
- Patterns for Pirates Take the Plunge Swimsuit– up to 54″ bust, 58″ hip
- Made for Mermaids Mama Camila Swimsuit– up to 51″ bust, 54″ hip
- 5 Out of 4 Patterns Tidal Wave Swim Shorts– up to size 5XL (54″ waist, 61″ hip)
- 5 Out of 4 Patterns Escapade Top and Dress (bikini, tank or tankini top; swim dress or summer dress)- up to size 5XL (57″ bust, 54″ waist, 61″ hip)
- SewSewDef RiRi Swimsuit- up to size 2XL (47″ bust, 49″ hip)
Swimwear Tutorials, Resources and Sewalongs
- Well Sewn Style‘s DIY Plus Size Supportive Swimwear Series: Part 1, Part 2
- Take the Plunge Swimsuit Pattern Hacks on Patterns for Pirates
- The Best Supplies for Your Swimsuit on Emerald Erin
- Bombshell Swimsuit Sewalong on Spoonflower
- RiRi Swimsuit Sewalong on Spoonflower
- How to Sew Narrow Swimsuit Straps on Seamstress Erin
- How to Sew Mesh Inserts in a Swimsuit on Seamstress Erin
- 5 Sewing Mistakes that will Make Your Swimsuit Look Homemade on Sirena Patterns
- Sew Your Own Gender Affirming Swimwear by With a Rare Device on Autostraddle
- Easy Swimwear Fabric Sewing Tips on Make it Coats
- Swimsuit Sewalong Videos on Sew-to-Fit
- Stitch Binding to Outer Edges of Swimwear Tutorial on Swim Style
- Detachable Straps, Slides and Hooks on Swim Style
Curvy Swimwear Inspiration
- Katie, of Katie Makes a Dress, made a couple swimsuits from the Ooh Lulu Cindy Bodysuit pattern, as well as a few Soma Swimsuits.
- Megan also made a Soma Swimsuit, but added a peplum to hers!
- Rhea made a stunning colorblocked Closet Case Patterns Sophie Swimsuit
- I made another Jalie 3350 one-piece (see my review of the pattern here!)
- Mary Alice of Well Sewn Style made a stunning Sophie Swimsuit
- Our own Paige, of Very Paige, made not one, but two fabulous swimsuits, the Take the Plunge swimsuit and the Mama Camila swimsuit
- Stacey at Margarita on the Ross made several stunning Take the Plunge Swimsuits
- Tricia at Sew L33T made a beautiful swim top from the 5 Out of 4 Agility Tank
I really worked on swimsuit sewing this summer and the biggest trick I learned was using a heavy duty ball point needle. I didn’t realize they came in sizes but if you want to make it through all those layers it sure does make a difference.
Thank you Meg! As always your post was incredibly thorough and I found exactly what I’ve been looking for! The perfect pattern 🙂 5 Out of 4 Patterns Tidal Wave Swim Shorts and their tank. I’m wearing a suit now that has “boy” legs I think they’re called? I love that suit but it’s a little short in the body and the bust could definitely be improved upon. I’ve come to realize the only way I’m going to find the swimsuit of my dreams is to make it but finding the pattern was impossible. Jalie does have a sport shorts that I purchased (and it may work too) but this 5 out of 4 had the exact shorts, now I just have to figure out how to sew the tank and shorts together at just the right spot to re-create my one piece.