Blog - 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

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

The Zoe Long-Sleeve Front-Zip Swimsuit from Jalie is available up to a 51″ bust and 54″ hip and the pattern bundles girl child, adult woman and plus-size woman sizes into the one pattern

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?

Nellie Joans

Fabric Box

The Fabric Store Online

Backstreet Bargains

For Fabrics Sake

Angel Fabrics & Accessories

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).

Want to get printing?

Email your PDF pattern files through to Chchsews@gmail.com to get started. A0 printing is $6 per sheet and A4 from $.15 per page

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

Gifts for makers

It’s that time of year when you’re maybe thinking about stocking-stuffers to buy for yourself.. But maybe you can just send the link to this page to your nearest and dearest and hope they take the hint?

Because of those international shipping delays I keep hearing about, here’s a roundup of things which are mostly from NZ (with a few Aussie shops thrown in) which might make great gifts for makers in your life!

I’d rather be sewing socks from KATM (Aus)

Shit (seam ripper) socks from KATM (Aus)

Repair kit in tin from Hawes & Freer (NZ)

This is the kind of kit that I always think (I’ll make myself one and pack it next time I travel, but I never do)!

Seam ripper and awl, double-ended from Miss Maude (NZ)

Hand turned and crafted from reclaimed native timbers of Aotearoa! This is currently sold out, but the native timber pieces here seem to come in and out of stock.

New Zealand Paua Shell Buttons from Wild and Wooly Yarns (NZ)

Snips from Drapers Fabric (NZ)

These Japanese-made snips come with a lifetime warranty. thread them through a long necklace and wear them while you craft and you’ll avoid losing them on your crafting table!