Helen & Caroline,
Sewing Skills,
1 HOUR 2 MINS

Episode 47: Sewing Swimwear

June 25, 2018

Are you thinking about sewing a swimsuit this summer? We’ve got you covered! Get tips on choosing fabrics and patterns and techniques for a professional finish. We also chat about our experiences wearing swimwear and how we can be more body positive at the beach!

  • Swimsuit photoshoot

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12 comments

  1. As always, another fabulous episode, ladies! I wanted to second the nude beach thing. I don’t regularly go to nude beaches, but I thought you might be interested in an amazing holiday location where you can also go nude: Croatia! There are lots of nude people on the beaches there, and I totally agree with you about nude sun bathing being almost less sexualized than with a swimsuit on. Strange…yet true! And it feels SO good to go swimming in the Adriatic Sea with no clothes on:)
    (And thank you so much for mentioning my ethical fabric page!)

    1. Helen Wilkinson & Caroline Somos says:

      Amazing! 🙂 Thanks Meghann!

  2. Meghan says:

    You are both simply stunning in your swimsuits. I can’t wait to listen to this episode! Thank-you for being a constant source of inspiration and for providing interesting, thought provoking topics – for all of us sewists!

    1. Helen Wilkinson & Caroline Somos says:

      You are too kind! Thank you Meghan 🙂

  3. Jinine Duncan says:

    Hi, you two are an inspiration to women everywhere. You both made those fab looking swimsuits, which to me, is amazing. Really, everyone in life is so concerned with how they look, they really only see two women in swimsuits.

    Please please don’t judge yourselves on looks ever. You are two talented brave strong gorgeous women, who made your fab swimsuits, and they are so well made, you are wearing them at the beach. 100 years ago, you would’ve been wearing those knitted ones, and surrounded by a tent so No one could see you. Or, in some places, women can’t even wear a swimsuit. I say celebrate that you can, and you made it.

    And as someone who has felt that horrible feeling shame, don’t do it to yourselves. You both deserve to go to the beach and have fun. Just Do It.

    1. Helen Wilkinson & Caroline Somos says:

      Thank you SO much for your kind words. Your love and encouragement means a lot to us 🙂 We will absolutely wear these swimsuits at the beach with pride!

  4. Audrey says:

    Raspberry Creek Fabrics has a huge selection of swimwear (and board shorts) fabric. Their in house line is designed and digitally printed in the US. It has 50+ UPF protection! They always make sure to use the most eco-friendly practices in producing their fabrics. I’ve personally used their fabric for quite a few swimsuits, and can vouch for it’s high quality and great stretch and recovery! Plus it’s durable and sturdier than many swim fabrics I’ve tried. (Believe me, when I was developing the Grace Tankini pattern, I went through a lot of different swim fabrics for testing!) I’m not affiliated with them, just a huge fan of good quality swim fabric!
    All their swim fabrics are here: https://raspberrycreekfabrics.com/collections/swim-and-boardshort

    1. Helen Wilkinson & Caroline Somos says:

      Thanks for the link! That’s awesome 🙂

  5. Sandra says:

    I had subscribed to your podcast a month ago but this episode got me to listen and binge listen! Whoa. So much coolness to learn for this “born again sewist”.

    1. Helen Wilkinson & Caroline Somos says:

      Amazing! So glad to have you listening 🙂

  6. Samantha Wittig says:

    Hey Ladies! I really enjoyed this episode and I’m really inspired to go make piece I love to strut on the beach this summer. I’m hoping you have some recommendations though, I feel really uncomfortable in regular swim bottoms and would prefer to wear a more of a short. do you know any swim patterns like that or would you recommend a regular short pattern that might be easily hacked into an aqua friendly version? Love your positivity and the joy you give your listeners!

  7. steven says:

    There’s a sweet irony in the nudist beach comments. My wife and I decided to start a swimwear brand during a nudist vacation, which is what brought me to your podcast, for sewing tips. But what do I hear? What I already know! That people feel easier in their skin when there’s nothing else on it.

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