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I think you will agree with me that finding a swimsuit to wear is one of the least favorite shopping experiences for many women. Once you find a swimsuit to wear, my guess is most people aren’t jumping at the chance to be photographed in it, let alone post it all over blog land. This should give you an idea of just how much I loved the look of this new swimsuit sewing pattern. When Laela Jeyne Patterns released it for testing, I raised my virtual hand high and hoped I would be picked to create my vision for this one piece suit. Lucky for me, I was picked to test and lucky for you, you can pick up a copy of the new sewing pattern HERE and make a suit you feel confident in for those warm summer days ahead.
The pattern is written for dress sizes 00-26 and comes with 2 different views. I chose to create view B, the plunge neckline. I loved the look of view A, which includes a lace panel, but didn’t have the needed lace on hand for this test and dragging four young kids all over looking for one sounded unappealing to me. I can’t ever imagine why?
However, I knew I wanted the look of lace so after digging around my sewing room I went to my favorite vintage lace trim. I love this stuff and it always just seems to add that special touch to a project. I recently used it on the bottom of this BOHO MAXI DRESS and a way long time ago on a SCHOOLHOUSE TUNIC. I may just cry when this roll runs out.
In order to use this lace I had to break a sewing rule or two. First, this is not stretch lace. And second, there is probably no part of it that is swimming friendly. To attach it, after constructing the bodice I gently stretched the cup and stitched it down both sides and the top using a small zig zag stitch. I wanted it to lay flat upon wearing and stretching the fabric slightly while attaching it helped achieve this. If I wanted this swimsuit for swimming and splashing with my kids, well…I would have made view A and put in a panel. But the fact is, this one piece swimsuit is just to have for lounging pool or ocean side feeling fabulous (oh wait, I haven’t done that in a very long time- but I have dreams people).
Now let’s take a look at my other favorite feature of this swimsuit pattern, the back straps. There are six straps that criss cross in such a fun pattern. I shortened my straps by about an inch to get the right fit. I absolutely love this design feature. It is stylish and adds great support to the suit.
I feel like you could play with this design too and lay them out in several styles. So many possibilities! The swim fabric used here is a solid navy swim from Colorado Fabrics (It was purchased at the actual store, not the online site of the former Denver Fabrics). You will also need Swimwear Elastic
Now, as much as I love this swimsuit pattern, there is one part that I will change for personal preference and that is the leg line. The suit above shows exactly how the pattern was designed and what you should expect when sewing it up. (Many people testing the pattern loved the bum coverage on this suit). But, my personal preference is a higher, dare I say, more cheekie cut on my swimsuits. The lower leg line isn’t my favorite style and I feel a higher cut elongates my legs, so I do plan on trying to alter this part of the suit to my taste. Also, the leg elastic is very tight, so do a test run with your elastic wrapped around your thigh before attaching it to the suit and make sure you don’t need to add length.
This one piece swimsuit was so much fun to put together. It is fairly easy to assemble as far as swimsuits go, but I would not classify swimsuits as a beginner project. This is my third swimsuit and I learn something new every time. However, they are so much fun to put together and there is something so satisfying about sewing your own suit!
The pattern is listed on the Laela Jeyne Site and can be purchased HERE. I can’t wait to see all the creations from the pattern this season and I am already thinking of my next one…now, someone tell my hubby to book us a beach vacation stat.
Until next time- Happy Sewing
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About 18 years ago I decided to teach myself how to sew. Long before blogs and resources available today which meant it was often disastrous. But I never gave up because I loved it so much. Today I love helping others get started on their own sewing journey. You can read more about my family and I