Jess from ChCh sews, Author at ChCh sews

Sewing Swimwear

It’s heating up in Christchurch, so today we’re rounding up sewing patterns for swimwear!

A swimsuit can be a super satisfying make, which can make you feel extra-smug at the beach (or at He Puna Taimoana)!

Do you have some Tried-and-True PDF swimwear patterns that aren’t listed here? Or maybe you’ve hacked your T’n’T undies patterns for swimwear? Let us know in the comments!

The Seabright Swimmer from Friday Pattern Company is available from a 32-54″ (81-137cm) bust and 34-57 (86-145cm) hip

The Banksia Swim Expansion from Muna and Broad is available from 38-64″ (97-162cm) bust and 41.5-71.5″ (105-182cm) hip

The Ipswich Swimsuit from Cashmerette comes with cup size options and is available up to a 62″ hip

The Riri from Mimi G is available up to a 47″ bust and 49″ hip

Want more?

Check out my list of activewear sewing patterns on the blog.

The Beckham Swim Trunks from Sew Sew Def would look great sewn up in these non-stretch swimwear fabrics from The Fabric Store

The Laminaria Swimsuit from Tuesday Stitches is available from a 32-52″ high bust (81.5-132cm) and 35-55″ hip (89-139.5cm)

This Bikini Sewing Pattern from ShaktiSwim is available from a 33-41″ (84-104cm) bust

These Boardshorts for Boys and Men from Jalie bundle both size ranges into 1 PDF pattern!

Sewing Patterns for kids?

In addition to the Jalie patterns above, which bundle the kid and adult sizes together- swimwear for kids can also be found at:

The Sewing Revival, a NZ-based pattern company, has swimwear for kids
Peekaboo Patterns has a wide selection of sewing patterns for kids.
Blank Slate Patterns has a couple of options for kids swimwear
Rebecca Page has options for women and girls

Where to shop swimwear fabric in NZ?

Any Nylon Spandex will be suitable for swimwear, and you can source chlorine resistant fabric if you’ll be doing most of your swimming in chlorine, but you can also use standard elastic (which is a bit easier to sew with and cheaper to buy too). Online stores which sell activewear fabric will probably also sell swim fabric. Check out some more recommended stores in Aus and NZ here.

Want to get printing?

Email your PDF pattern files through to Chchsews@gmail.com to get started. A0 printing is $6 per sheet.

Wine tote

This wine tote is a simple and quick project which will give you the perfect way to carry a drinkie to a picnic in the park.

It’s intended to be the perfect size for a wine bottle and some other essentials, but you could take anything wine bottle size (including two wine-bottle-length sticks of salami)!

More gifting patterns!

The Arenas Bag from Pauline Alice Patterns

Sewing gifts for men

Here’s a collection of gifts that might be appropriate for your dad? I don’t know him, so it’s tough for me to say. Perhaps they’d be good patterns for you to sew for yourself?

Scrap-Busting sewing patterns

Since it’s the middle of November (and therefore practically Christmas), I’ve rounded up a few patterns for scrap-busting, many of which would make great gifts!

More free sew-able gift ideas

Here’s a short & cheerful post with 10 free sewing patterns which could be good for Christmas. Also check out this recent post!

Mood, bike satchel

Pie carrier bag

This pie carrier bag is a simple and quick project which will give you the perfect way to carry tasty treats to a picnic!

Will fit 15″x9″ rectangle dish, a 10″ square dish, a 10″ pie dish, a 10″ wide salad bowl with decently high sides, and a 10″ wide casserole dish with a lid (overall height of 6″)

Giftable sewing projects for kids

If you’re thinking ahead to Christmas too, here’s a roundup of free sewing patterns which would make great gifts for the small humans in your life!

Little Cat Friends Bag from Below the Kōwhai

20 free Christmas gift patterns

It’s almost that time of the year! That time of the year where I think I should be a bit more selfless and sew more handmade gifts! Here’s a roundup of free sewing patterns which would make great gifts!

Spring sewing with NZ designers

The weather is kind of warming up here (with a few diversions along the way), so what better time to have a roundup of spring-appropriate patterns from NZ designers?

Want more?

“The Garden at Bougival” by Berthe Morisot

The Nullarbor Cami

from Muna and Broad (Christchurch)

The ultimate scrap buster, this cami and cami dress is bra-friendly, features bust darts and a facing for a high quality finish.

This cami was drafted for a D cup (4″ difference between over bust and full bust measurement).

“Villa with Orange Trees, Nice” by Berthe Morisot

The Ella Skirt

from Forget-Me-Not Patterns (Wellington)

Ella is a gathered skirt pattern designed for woven fabrics. It’s a step above basic, with a subtle high-low hem finished with a gathered tier.

The Farris Jumpsuit

from Jennifer Lauren Handmade (Dunedin)

The Farris Jumpsuit & Playsuit is part of JLH’s Quincy+Mayberry mix’n’match sewing pattern set.

Switch out tops and bottoms between the three patterns in the range to create an almost endless mix of perfect dresses, jumpsuits and playsuits (rompers) to match your own taste and wardrobe needs.

The Robin Dress

from Scroop Patterns (Wellington)

The Robin Dress is a princess seamed dress with a swishy skirt.

There are pattern pieces for Small (A-B), Medium (C-D) & Large (DD/E+) busts.

The Teddy Dress

From Make by TFS (Auckland)

A playful every-day knit dress pattern, designed to suit a variety of knit fabrics for all seasons, the skirt has subtle paneling to allow for maximised fabric yield.

The Camill e Top

from Makyla Creates (Christchurch)

The Camille is a cropped, loose fitting top with a curved neck line. The front has two ties, and the shirred sleeves sit just above the elbow.

The Block Tee

from Paper Theory Patterns (previously of Dunedin)

A modern, oversized t-shirt, designed to look relaxed and feel easy to wear in a woven fabric.

The body is much wider than a regular t-shirt and the sleeves are longer than normal, sitting just above the elbow, with the angular square armholes being its hallmark feature. The neckline has a hidden binding to complement its minimalist design and the hem turn ups are extra deep to emphasise its boxy silhouette.

The Tipa Dungarees

from Below the Kōwhai (Christchurch)

These dungarees have a relaxed fit with simple style lines, with shorts or trouser variations and a cuffed hem.

Get the matching kid-sized Tipa too!

More warm weather sewing inspo?

Want to get printing?

Email your PDF pattern files through to hello@chchsews.com to get started. A0 printing is $6 per sheet and postage within NZ is available