Now that the hot summer months are here, it’s the perfect time to sew a swimsuit! I designed and sewed this one piece for a vacation I had earlier this year and plan to continue wearing it. This one-piece swimsuit includes two ruffles and gathers, which add dimension to this suit – all while being flattering to your figure!

DIY Anthropologie Swimsuit

Pattern: Designed by Me
Material: Dance/Swim Knit Solid Fabric
Similar Swimsuits: ModCloth Swimsuit, Anthropologie Swimsuit

Materials for your Halter One-Piece Swimsuit

 

• 1 yard of swimsuit fabric (Sport Lycra)
• Elastic
• 1/2 yard of swimsuit lining or additional swimsuit fabric (I used swimsuit fabric)

Steps to Sew Your One-Piece Ruffle Swimsuit

Pictured below are the pattern pieces you will need for this swimsuit. If you’d like to learn how I create my own patterns, read my blog post here.

• Trace and cut out your sewing pattern. Please note – one of the SWIMSUIT FRONT pieces will need to be longer so you can gather the fabric. To do this, extend the body of the pattern by three inches.
• Next, lay your pattern pieces out on the fabric like I’ve shown in the sketch above and cut it out.

Instructions for Swimsuit Front

• (Red Instruction Dots) Sew two baste stitches to the longer SWIMSUIT FRONT piece. Gather the stitches/fabric until the SWIMSUIT FRONT matches the length of the SWIMSUIT LINING.
• (Orange Instruction Dots) Next, hem one side of the RUFFLE pattern. Complete this step for both RUFFLES.
• (Yellow Instruction Dots) Add a baste stitch to the other side of the RUFFLE and gather the material. Pin the wrong side of the RUFFLE to the right side of the SWIMSUIT FRONT and baste together. Complete this step for both SWIMSUIT FRONT pieces.
• (Green Instruction Dots) Next, pin the SWIMSUIT FRONT to the SWIMSUIT LINING, right sides together, and stitch together following the green dots in the instructions. Complete this step for both SWIMSUIT FRONT pieces.
• (Blue Instruction Dots) Fold your SWIMSUIT FRONT and LINING open and pin the right side of the STRAP to the right side of the SWIMSUIT FRONT. Sew the pieces together. Repeat this set for both SWIMSUIT FRONT pieces.
• (Light Blue Instruction Dots) Next, pin the SWIMSUIT FRONT and LINING, with right sides still facing together. Sew along the light blue dots. Once sewn together, turn the fabric right side out. Repeat this step for both SWIMSUIT FRONT pieces.

Instructions for Swimsuit Back

• Pin the right sides of the SWIMSUIT BOTTOM and SWIMSUIT BOTTOM LINING together and attach at the top with a zigzag stitch.
• (Dark Purple Instruction Dots) Next, sew a ⅝ inch seam along the SWIMSUIT BOTTOM. Guide the ELASTIC through the opening and sew a zigzag stitch at both ends to attach.
• (Light Purple Instruction Dots) Sew a zigzag stitch along the sides of the BOTTOM pattern pieces.

How to Attach the Swimsuit Front to the Swimsuit Back

• (Dark Pink Instruction Dots) Pin the SWIMSUIT FRONTS together, right sides facing up as shown in the picture. Sew together with a zigzag stitch.
  (Light Pink Instruction Dots) Next pin the right sides of the SWIMSUIT BACK to the
• SWIMSUIT FRONT. Sew together with a zigzag stitch. Sew together with a zigzag stitch. Finish the edges of the material with a zigzag stitch or a serger. Fold the swimsuit right side out.
• (Grey Dots) Pin the leg openings together and sew together with a wide zigzag stitch.
• Before you attach your LEG OPENING ELASTIC to your swimsuit, fold the ends of your elastic over and sew together with a wide zigzag stitch.
• Pin the LEG OPENING ELASTIC to the inside of the swimsuit bottoms and attach with a zigzag stitch. To finish the leg opening, fold the fabric over the elastic and sew a zigzag stitch.

Making this swimsuit was a little more complicated than I had anticipated, but I love how it turned out! Most of my other swimsuits have a pattern or are bright, so adding a black suit to my collection was much needed. This one-piece suit is flattering and modest. Are you interested in sewing a two-piece swimsuit instead of a one-piece? Learn how I sewed a high-waisted swimsuit by reading my blog post here.

There are countless online resources and to help you sew your swimsuit pattern! There are many Indie Sewing patterns you can purchase online and video tutorials you can watch.

Before you begin sewing, I recommend watching both of these videos by Mimi G. The videos are very helpful, even if you aren’t sewing with one of the patterns in her videos!