10 Swimsuit Sewing Patterns for Large Busts

[@TomKatStitchery]

Today’s Love Notion Feature Friday pattern is the Melody Dolman and is $5 today (8/16/24) only! Use code 10WHITNEY for an additional 10% off sale price*: www.lovenotions.com/product/melody-dolman?affiliates=436

[@carolinedelisle589]

I have made the Ipswich and the Kaya bodysuit rashguard this summer and love them both. EDIT: I swim all year round. I swim in the local outdoor pool in the summer and the indoor pool in the winter. Although I could have only 1 swimsuit, I told myself that swimming 3x/week warrants more than 1 suit. And a rashguard for the outdoor swimming.

[@TomKatStitchery]

I completely agree! It's fun when you're working out in a fun wardrobe! I feel the same way about my gym clothes.

[@SewFelicia]

❤❤. Ooo. That rash pattern looks interesting as I rarely see a low neck or zipper opening rash, as I can’t handle necklines close to my neck. Feels like I’m choking.

[@TomKatStitchery]

I agree! I have issues with that as well!

[@teresastevens2084]

Great collection of swimwear patterns regardless of bust sizes, but, especially for those of us with large busts! I’ve made the Cashmerette Ipswich one-piece version for several seasons and love everything about it. When LN introduced their Clearwater collection, I knew I had to try every option, and I did! So much fun sewing up swimwear/beachwear! Thanks for sharing, Whitney! 🩱💕 👙

[@TomKatStitchery]

I REALLY need to make the Ipswich!

[@donnaschindlbeck7457]

Thank you for showing us all these swim pattern options. I had no idea! There are several I’d consider trying. We spend a lot of time in the water, I can never have too many swimsuits 😊

[@TomKatStitchery]

Oh good!

[@heidefries1825]

Thanks, great to have recommendations of full bust swim options. Finding anything in RTW is impossible so this is on my sewing to do list. BTW, the straps on the Ipswich are nice and I incorporated them into the LN Luna. It uses bra strapping and the way it's folded around the swim fabric turns it into a binding. I made a nightgown with a shelf bra that is getting a lot of use, just need to fine-tune the strap length (wash away thread has been so helpful for basting!)

[@TomKatStitchery]

What a great tip! I really need to make the Ipswich!

[@nancyhilborn885]

The rashguard style is great for paddle sports too! I always wear one for sun protection when canoeing or kayaking. Great to see a company supporting us curvier sun sensitive gals.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Definitely!

[@faithmathingsdal79]

Thank you Whitney. I hope you will finish your Sinclair pattern swimsuit as I have it also, and would love to see/hear about your version!!! So many great options. Does Helen's Closet's latest swimsuit have bust cup options? I imagine it would.

[@TomKatStitchery]

It looks like their smaller size range is drafted for a B cup and their larger size range is drafted for a D Cup so that could work for some!

[@gloriaallender1886]

Great video, Whitney! Loved all the suggestions.

[@TomKatStitchery]

I'm so glad!

[@RR-yh6vr]

Where was this 6 months ago? 😭 But I will say that the Bombshell from Closet Core could accomodate 36G with an internal bra added and still look cute. 😊

[@lorieburtt592]

Oh! I love the Bombshell swimsuit. I couldn’t find anything on their site that indicated full bust sizing, so I dismissed it as an option for me, which was disappointing because it is exactly the style I’ve been looking for.

[@TomKatStitchery]

This is good to know!

[@addiekl]

I didn't know that about the Bombshell either. Thanks for sharing!

[@cindyking3304]

Thank you for a Great Review of patterns!! I have only gotten two test patterns done and I need to make some adjustments on both! But, now crisis sewing to get a Project in for my County Fair!!! I look forward to the next Swim Wear Notions Video!! Thank you!!!!

[@TomKatStitchery]

Good luck with your fair submission!

[@nikkijohnson552]

Good luck to everyone in your Pattern Fitting 101 class!

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you!

[@joannaczyrka1245]

Thank you for showing us all those swim pattern options! I need to find courage and make myself Marblehead. Ps. which t-shirt pattern you're wearing in video? :) I cannot recognize it and that's neckline style I am looking for recently!

[@TomKatStitchery]

I'm wearing the Cashmerette Concord t-shirt in this video!

[@kellymartin1176]

I’m inspired 😊😊😊

[@TomKatStitchery]

Oh good!

[@lesliemcarthur9902]

I’m on a lifelong search for supportive swimsuit patterns (I imagine myself to swim much more than I actually do!) thanks for this video. I’ve made the Styla Makena and the St Tropez and they’re very good. I actually prefer the Makena; I’m pretty sure it had a full bust option although I can’t seem to find that on the website just now.

[@TomKatStitchery]

This is a great tip! I was so pleased to see that Styla offers full bust or cup sizes in quite a few of their patterns!

[@charissa8252]

Thanks for bringing the Cashmerette Ipswich swimsuit to my attention. While I think I have seen it in passing before I didn't realise that it included a built in bra. For me I built in bra of some type, that includes shaping ( eg not just a shelf bra) is essential. My swimsuit fails so far include basically redrafting a crossover style bikini top because the designer's idea of an FBA piece was not one! and then I used fabric that was too soft (this was almost the first knit thing I made too lol). My second one was a tankini that I used the FBA of the size up with max height cut line from other sizes. It's wearable and provides support from the firm power net (for bra making) but is a bit small in the bust, the band was too big (style not right for my body and size issue). The biggest drawback is that I end up with a giant monoboob that can practically hit me in the face. Suffice to say that swim tops are back on the list for this up coming southern hemisphere summer. I have a lot more bra making and knit experience now so hopefully the Marblehead will work without to many issues (I need to sister size the cups at a minimum). Oh yes there was a question. You mention the Ipswich is an older pattern. Do you know how the Ipswich bra compares to the willowdale (or Loftus) in shaping or sizing? -while I don't have either bra pattern I do know the Marblehead is based on the Loftus and that both bras us the same sizing. Thanks

[@TomKatStitchery]

I would definltey consider the Marblehead if I were you. I was super impressed with the support when I used the maximum support materials. As far as the difference between the Ipswich and the Marblehead, I'm not sure. They might be similar blocks, but the Ipswich came out when they were still drafting for the original size range (not their current extended one) so it might be a bit different, but maybe not. It might worth an email to Cashmerette on that question!

[@lynnm.johnson5755]

Thank you! I'm fullbusted & long waisted. Swim suit shopping is not fun!

[@TomKatStitchery]

My daughter is the same!

[@victoriahannah1633]

Well since granny here (70) doesn’t have best thighs I would like biker shorts with takini top. My son has a pool and love to get in it. I tried to click on the ebook thing for knits but it doesn’t work. I’ll try typing in address in morning.

[@TomKatStitchery]

I would do the Love Notions Clearwater. There is a tankini option and a bike short option. You could easily make yourself that type of swimsuit!

[@kahoelzl]

Thank you for the rashguard pattern--I think I can work with this! I do Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and I wear a rashguard under my Gi. Commercial ones are largely sized from men's chests. As a pear shape, that means the shoulders are loose, the arms are too long and it's long in the body and rides/rolls up over my hips. Even women's sizing assumes small bust and hips. Same with the Gi, which comes as a coat/pant set. The coats are too big in the chest and open up, the sleeves are too long (there are rules about sleeve lengths and we aren't supposed to "tamper" with the length) and again, even the female students who have an athletic shape and do a lot of squats find the pants too tight. My dream is a comfortable Gi for women with hips--but a comfortable rashguard is a good start!

[@TomKatStitchery]

Oh good! I'm glad that was helpful!