megan nielsen design diary

There’s a little bit of fear out there when it comes to sewing our own swimsuits…but we’ve heard it said many times lately that it’s so much simpler than you’d think…it could even be said that it’s EASY! Without a doubt though, the most fun part of the whole process is choosing your favourite swim fabric. There are so many gorgeous prints out there and so many amazing vibrant colours, it’s really a chance to go nuts with colour or the perfect opportunity to make that chic black swimsuit you’ve always wanted in your closet.

// TYPES OF SWIMWEAR FABRIC //

Swim fabrics can be comprised from different materials the main two being Lycra and Polyamide/Polyester (Poly).

Poly swim fabric //

• Less susceptible to chlorine damage, longer lasting.
• Recommended for regular use suits or athetic situations.

Swim Lycra //

• More readily available, afforable and generally stretchier than Poly.
• More susceptible to damage and will degrade quicker.
• Recommended for lighter use, such as being worn recreationally and seasonally.

Now to the elastic! Two kinds of swimsuit elastic are commonly available: swimsuit rubber & woven swim elastic. Both elastics can be used to create successful wearable swimsuits, however they have slightly different properties and as such should be treated slightly differently.

Swimsuit rubber //

• The most stable and long lasting elastic
• Thinner profile & doesn’t degrade over time
• Feels tighter when worn

Woven swim elastic //

• Softer, thicker and has less recovery than rubber

If you are having trouble sourcing swim specific elastic, you can get away with using regular elastic in your swimsuit but keep in mind it may not last as long.

// LINING //

All views of the Cottesloe swimsuit are able to be fully lined and you’ll need the same amount of lining as you do fabric. There are a couple of choices depending on what you’re after. If it’s modesty you’re needing (advised for any fabric that is light in colour or very flat in texture) you’ll find regular swimsuit lining in nude, white or black will work well. *Make sure it’s got 4 way stretch!

If you’re looking for some compression properties in your lining, we’d recommend lining any section from the under bust down in Power mesh. It’s incredibly soft, with great stretch capabilities and will keep you feeling secure in your suit. *Avoid lining the bust with it unless you don’t mind a tight feeling around the chest.