Tag: diy swimwear

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Sewing Adventures – Matching Rash vests

Due to an enormous backlog of finished projects to share, I’ve decided to dive right in and not adhere to strict chronological order. Mostly because if I don’t start now I never will and also because it doesn’t matter when they were made only that they were made! So let’s get to it!

A trip to Fiji (2023) is a pretty mind blowing thing to prepare for, not only is it not the normal type of holiday for us to go on it was also preceded with a super busy time period. Having now been on the holiday it was amazing, we loved it and would do again!


Being the water lover that I am I knew I’d be in as much as I could and thought a second long sleeve rash vest would help protect me from the sun. Using Jalie Valerie I quickly whipped one up from this gorgeous pink swim lycra from the stash (originally from Pitt Trading now The Makers Society) my only changes were to make the arms longer than I normally do and make the neck band slightly wider.

and yes hats and sunglasses in the water were very necessary for anyone wanting to avoid some sun. The water is very calm so it’s not like you are going to lose everything when a wave hits you or anything like that.

Sewing wise I did the entire of the seams using my overlocker and then hemmed the sleeves and body using my coverstitch machine, super speedy nice and secure.

In some of these photos I’m wearing my previously made Jalie Valerie in a white and blue floral lycra also from The Makers Society.


At the last minute the day before we flew I decided to make one for The Englishman in whatever I had on hand which was some navy swim lycra and some athletic lycra in a sharkskin type print for the side panels.


Am so glad I did because we practically lived in these things as we explored the waters around the resort. we had an absolutely wonderful time and we didn’t get sunburnt so winning all around.

Can also highly recommend reef shoes, these are a neoprene upper with a rubber base and it made climbing through rock pools or traversing sand littered with coral a breeze. A must for anyone who wants to explore and swim.

Pattern: Valerie from Jalie – made my sleeves longer and wider neck band for me (in a previous version I have blended the sizing from my bust size out to my waist and hip. I found doing this stops it from riding up while paddleboarding, this is now my base pattern I use), no changes for The Englishman

Fabric: embroidered cotton lawn and plain cotton lawn both from the stash originally from Pitt Trading

Changes: pattern changes as noted above

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Sewing Techniques: Lengthen or Shorten a swimsuit pattern

Swimwear especially one pieces really don’t give you much room to finalise the length once you are finished like you would for a dress or a skirt. So here are some tips and tricks to make getting it right for you.

Choosing your size

Swimwear needs to use the negative ease of the pattern/fabric combination in order to fit correctly. 

Measure yourself. Bust, waist and hip. If the style has a lower back then also measure your bust from side seam to side seam over the breasts.

Measure your flat pattern pieces and subtract the seam allowance. Seam Allowance is 1cm (if you are not using a Measure Twice Cut Once pattern be sure to check the individual brands instructions for seam allowances). Add front and back measurements together to get the circumference. Check your stretch % and use that to calculate your size. If you aren’t confident doing that, then subtract 5cm from the total circumference and start with that size.

Lengthening or Shortening

Measure from your crotch to the neckline position of your chosen style. Stand straight, do not lean forward. Look in a full lenth mirror if it helps you see the correct positioning.

On the pattern piece front measure from crotch to neckline and subtract the seam allowances. 

Compare the 2 measurements and determine if you want to lengthen or shorten? You want a small amount of negative ease in this case but no more than 3cm unless your fabric has a very high stretch %.

Use the lengthen/shorten lines indicated on the pattern. Spread the amount you need to lengthen or shorten throughout the pattern in order to preserve proportions.

**Proportions are highly relevant in all pattern making but seeing as how swim is the smallest amount of fabric covering the most curved parts of your body it counts more than ever. Always spread or reduce evenly throughout the pattern taking into account your own body shape. If your bust needs significantly more length than your belly/bottom then add more there. The key is to maintain the desired look of the design while also taking into account your own body shaping.

Once the required amount is added or subtracted, re draw the side seams. Maintain a smooth and even seam line to ensure it fits the contours of your body.

Check other areas before proceeding

Measure side seams to ensure they still match as in front and back are same lengths or back meets to the correct point on the front in the case of swimwear with low backs.

Check that the new body length has not affected other areas of the swimsuit in terms of coverage. Key areas to check are centre front necklines, underarms and bottom coverage. Again measure your body and measure your pattern pieces to determine if any changes need to be made.

I hope this helps you determine your correct length for swimwear, if you have any questions drop them in the comments and I’ll answer them in case anyone else has the same query.

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Swimwear patterns instore now!

Today I’ve added another swim style to the ever increasing range of swimwear options available by Measure Twice Cut Once.

The new style is Agnes, she joins Henrietta and Anne. All available now in the swimwear section of the Pattern shop.

All patterns are available in sizes 6 to 18, come as downloadable PDF’s with instructions, A0 copy shop file, A4/Letter print at home file. Sewing swimwear is so much fun, with a few tricks and tips you will be making professional looking pieces in no time. Plus it’s fast so that’s a huge plus for time impatient sewers!

Grab a pattern and get sewing today you will not regret it.