This article is a review of our sewing patterns over at Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop.
We’ll help you get just the right sewing pattern for whatever person and style you’re searching for. Also, don’t miss out on our other swimsuit fabric articles, including:
With that, let’s get started on the Ultimate Shopping Guide for Swimsuit Patterns:
Looking for Swimsuit Patterns with Sun Protection?
If you spend a lot of time out in the sun I have some great options for you 🙂 If you’re relatively new to sewing then I would start with the Hang Ten Rash Guard Pattern. This is a quick and easy sew and goes great with your kids favorite swim bottoms. It includes options for long sleeves, short sleeves, a side stripe, and an optional snap placket for easy on/off.
If you’re comfortable with swim fabrics and zippers then you will love the Aloha Burn Blocker Pattern! It’s the ultimate in sun protection 🙂 This is especially nice for little ones since you don’t have to worry about it riding up or slipping down and exposing areas you haven’t applied sunscreen to.
Finally, we have the Bahama Mama Pattern (for women) and High Tide Pattern (for girls) surf suits. These sewing patterns are perfect for more full coverage. They feature a front zipper for easy dressing, 3 sleeve lengths (cap, short, and long), an optional bra shelf with cups for the Bahama Mama and 3 views: One-Piece, Rash Guard Top, and One-Piece with Skirt.
Sewing Swimwear for a Boy?
In addition to the sun protection options above I also have a few more options for the boys 🙂 The Santa Cruz Boy Shorts Pattern are probably our most popular boy’s swimsuit right now. They can be made as board shorts for swim or play shorts (with knit fabric). They include an optional boxer brief or bikini bottom lining and an elastic waist. The pattern includes options for shorties, knee length, colorblocking, and a drawstring.
Another good option is the Cowabunga Shorts Pattern. This pattern was recently redone and has fun color-blocking options with an optional side pocket in knee or shorties length. The pattern includes an optional drawstring detail and optional boxer or bikini lining.
Finally, let’s focus on the Baja Shorts Pattern. The Baja Shorts Pattern has a fun side stripe with optional pocket. Again, it has an elastic waist and can be made from knit or woven fabric. Options include shorties, knee length, optional pocket, optional faux drawstring, and optional lining.
If you have a little trendsetter on your hands then you’ll love the Monaco Swim Trunks Pattern! These are great for the kiddo who can’t seem to keep his swimsuits from falling down and also work great for swim team!
Sewing Swimsuits for a Girl?
Let’s start with the tankini options. This gives you the coverage of a one-piece but the ease of a two-piece for potty breaks. A good starter swimsuit might be the Streamline Swimsuit Pattern. The Streamline is perfect for active girls and features a sporty racerback for fun and comfortable swimwear. It has options for a one-piece or tankini, color blocking, and lining options, and you can choose bikini bottoms or boy shorts.
Next, take a look at the Pool Party Swimsuit Pattern. Again, the Pool Party has options for a one-piece or tankini. It also has an option for a bikini with good coverage. It features a choice of a bow front or a basic scoop neck.
Finally, the Riviera Reversible Swimsuit is our newest addition. This swimsuit is fully reversible and gives you two suits in one with all seams fully enclosed. It has options for a basic one-piece, color-blocked one-piece, basic two-piece (tankini & crop top length), color-blocked two-piece (tankini & crop top length), and optional shoulder and leg flutters. It also comes with a full instructional video.
Girl’s One-Piece Swimsuit Patterns
If you prefer one-piece swimsuits there are also some fun options! One-piece swimsuits are (generally speaking) quicker to sew and you don’t have to worry about the suit ever riding up or slipping down 🙂 I’d rate all 6 one-piece options as beginner-intermediate sewing patterns. Once you get used to sewing on the swimwear fabric they really don’t have anything too challenging so start with whichever one you like best!
If you want a fun vintage look the Marilyn Sewing Pattern will add some flair to your girl’s wardrobe. It also has various tankini options as well as options for a ruched look with both a tankini or one-piece or colorblocking.
The Malibu One-Piece Swimsuit has a fun v-neckline with a ruched front 3 different back views: ruffled straps with a bow, a sporty cross-back, and a halter tie.
The Tutu-Cute Sewing Pattern has an option to add a full tutu to your one-piece swimwear. You can also add a ruffle or just do a basic one-piece bathing suit. You can do straps in the back or tie as a halter. This suit is fully lined!
Moving on with our one-piece girl’s swimwear options we have the Sun n’ Fun Swimsuit and Leotard. It’s perfect for swimming, dancing, and gymnastics. The sewing pattern features a scoop back with bow feature and optional ruffles at the shoulder. It’s fully lined.
The Swan Lake Leotard and Swimsuit Sewing Pattern is similar to the Sun n’ Fun and works well for gymnastics, dance, and swim. This pattern features options for 3 sleeves lengths, 3 views (basic, skirted, or ruffled), and 3 lining options (full, front, or crotch).
Finally, we have the High-Tide Surfsuit Pattern. Like the Bahama Mama Surfsuit above this swimwear pattern provides excellent coverage, a front zipper for easy dressing, 3 sleeve lengths, and various views. It also includes an optional snap-crotch.
Women’s Swimsuit Patterns
Maybe you haven’t thought of sewing swimwear for yourself but you’ll find it isn’t too hard. In fact, you’ll be able to modify it and customize it to perfectly fit. At Peek-a-Boo we have a number of good sewing pattern options for women’s swimwear patterns.
To start, we have our Bahama Mama Line. This is a group of mix-and-match sewing patterns that you can use to get the perfect top (blouson top, block tankini top, or peplum tankini top) and bottom (bikini bottoms or boy shorts. We also have the Bahama Mama Vintage Sewing pattern that features a classic one-piece with a crossover bodice and options for bikini or boy short bottoms. You can tie the back straps as a halter top or cross the straps. There’s also optional ruching.
Our newest women’s swimsuit pattern is the Paradise Swimsuit.
The Paradise pattern features a ton of options that will give you fun and vintage style swimwear with a bow or a classic scoop neckline. The optional ruching provides a flattering look and wide straps provide comfort and support. Options include the following:
- View A: Bow Front
- View B: Plain Front
- One-Piece with or without ruched front
- Tankini with or without ruched front
- Bikini Top
- Bikini bottoms in the standard rise and a high rise with optional ruching
Men’s Swimwear Sewing Pattern
Don’t worry. We didn’t forget the men! Make the men in your life a swimsuit with the Long Beach Board Shorts PDF Sewing Pattern. This pattern features a contrast waistband with flat front and elastic back, velcro fly with drawstring closure, optional sunglasses loop, side pocket with zipper closure and an optional lining.
Make sure to come to join us in our Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop Facebook Group to see what everyone else is making. Also, before you leave, make sure to take a look through some of our other articles:
