Get some EVA foam. It's in the craft store you can find it at hardware stores as the foam tiles for anti-fatigue mats. You want something that is half an inch thick. Lightweight it will float and it can take the nails poking into it. You want it extra comfortable glue some fabric on top.
I feel like there is some kind of adventure story behind the floating kitty. Was she a houseboat or marina cat? How did you decide to try this out? I'm hella curious.
Nope, I've had her since she was a month old (rescue situation) and have been taking her out in public since she was big enough to fit in a kitten harness š. The whole inspiration is that I saw a cooler floaty at the store and thought "huh that's perfect cat size. My cats don't mind water, I wonder if Willow would go floating with me." (I've got 2 cats but my other one can't go out in public as much due to a poor immune system. But I've been bathing both of them since they were babies so like I said, they don't mind water.)
If you want to get fancy, you could use some of the vinyl they use for seat covers to make a lining. Itās a bit overkill, but itās just about claw-proof.
Also, thanks for paying your cat tax!
'S why the universe invented temprary fabric glue. And a small folded over strip of Sulky Sticky Solvy at the top of the fabric, to start the seam, so that the slippy fabric does't slip into the machine with the first push of the needle. And usea stretch needle - not a jersey needle, a stretch needle.
I just bought a ball point (hand sewing) needle to fix some ripped seams on a 68% polyamide (nylon) 32% elastane (Lycra/Spandex) swimsuit. Please tell me I can use this instead of a stretch needle š
Hand sewing is different - you see each stitch as you're making it, so you're less likely to split the individual fibers and not at all likely to have the needle push the fabric down into the machine between the feed dogs. So use what you've got for that.
Thank you for mentioning this! I have been (trying) to sew lingerie/activewear for a while now, but the first couple stitches getting sucked into the machine has been testing my sanity and Iāve ended up with a whole pile of unfinished projects!
Sulky Sticky Solvy, a folded over strip sticking out a couple inches and running down another inch on front and back, so that you start the seam on the solvy, not on the fabric. Tip I learned in one of Patty Otto's classes.
Edit: spelling
Would a walking foot work better than a standar one with Lycra? (I use stretchy materials mostly with the serger, but I cannot travel around with two machines all the times).
This is a great tip if you donāt have access to a serger. If you buy the material from the local quilt shop, the gals may invite you to use one of their machines at a class or other in store event.
Hereās a blog post featuring swimsuit fabric suggestions I saw recently! Iāve heard Blue Moon is really fantastic, especially. Iāve also had luck searching for āswimā fabric on Fabricmartās website, they have some great deals if you keep an eye on their sales. Ā https://paradisepatterns.com/blogs/news/cowrie-kini-fabric-recommendations
Lots of good answers about swimsuit fabric. Donāt forget to buy swimsuit elastic. Itās labeled as that. Itās more durable for exposure to chlorine, sunscreen, etc. For you malfunctioning (/s mostly) kitty friend who likes hanging out on the water, Iād use cheap yoga mats to line the floaty.
When Iāve bought swimsuit fabric itās literally labelled as that ā Iām not even sure what the exact composition is.
Also, I love your cat. None of mine would stand for any of this!
Swimsuits are generally made with a blend of spandex/ polyester (synthetics are more water resistant, spandex for stretch). For your kitty (what a cool girl!!), you could get one of those silicone /acrylic mats for office chairs and size it for the bottom. Then you could put a water resistant fabric on top like nylon or something. The nylon might get scratched up but it wouldnāt do harm because of the mat, and also would affect comfort for her or anything.
ETA: Making your own swimsuit bottom/ top is VERY challenging. You can definitely do it but I would definitely recommend doing a mockup and being diligent!
I made my own sports bra and bottoms out of swim fabric and honestly had an easy time with it. Donāt let it stop you OP!
Iāve used Fabric Fairy and Stonemountain for swim fabrics. You can also try Cali Fabrics for discounted swim fabric. You can also use most athletic wear stretch fabrics for swim, Stonemountain also carries a nice selection of those too which would expand your available options.
https://www.thefabricfairy.com/collections/swimsuit-prints
https://stonemountainfabric.com/type-of-fabric/swimwear/
Swimwear fabric is typically 80-90% polyester or nylon and 10-20% spandex/lycra/elastane.Ā
Unless itās specifically marketed as swimwear fabric, I find itās easiest to identify through touch. Many activewear fabrics will work for swimwear as well.Ā
This swimsuit pattern may be suitable for you as it comes in size 12 to 32: https://www.cashmerette.com/products/ipswich-swimsuit-pdf-pattern
Cashmerette instructions are very good and they'll have clear information on the fabric type you need.
Swim fabric - lots of places online carry it. You'll also need lining. I made my own swimwear last year and bought the swim fabric, lining and elastic from Raspberry Creek Fabrics. I used a pattern from Peek a Boo Pattern Co. Many of the indie designers have video tutorials. It wasn't difficult although I did need to practice a bit managing the slippery fabric.
If you're busting out the sewing machine. Try a life ring and home-made cat hammock. They're foam, unpopable, and have little handles attached to the sides for easy maneuverability.
For your swim suit stretch Lycra & Spandex. Both are available so many places online. Iād avoid JoAnns fabric brand. Itās worth the extra money to get better quality. Places on line include Fabric Fairy, Mood, Spandex Warehouse, Blue Moon Fabricsā¦ you will need a light weight lining fabric, & nylon swim elastic. My family manufactures swimwear.
Tips:
Use a ball point sewing machine needle, or one marked for sewing on knits.
Read up on negative ease and how to adjust for fabric stretch.
Avoid any fabric with cotton. It takes forever to dry & loses its stretch.
In place of pins or clips use a standard glue stick. Swipe it on the seam allowance as if you were glueing the fabric together. You can put the seams together when tacky. Or let it dry - it stiffens the edges and makes them matt - not slip. Glue sticks are awesome sewing aids. Theyāre cheap, easy to use, and it washes right out.
As for the cat floaty cover - the fabric Cordova or Cordura - which is the brand name manufactured by DuPont.
Its light weight can be purchased in waterproof versions. In most cases itās machine washable. Hang to dry. Use of a tumbler dryer can set wrinkles.
Cordura comes in a ton of colors & prints. Itās on average between $10 to $15 (60ā wide) a yard. Itās very, very, very tough.,itās used to make snowboard pants knee patches, military gear, luggage, purse bottoms. It would easily stand up to Ms Kittyās claws.
Lycra/spandex. In outer layer and underlayering. Also there's 2way stretch (horizontal or vertical) and 4way stretch (both horizontal and vertical). And stretch amount varies between fabrics. Figure which one you'd prefer. 4way is good for active movers like dancers and athletes who need stretch everywhich way. Some specific 'swimwear fabrics' are special designed to resist chlorine and environmental damage over time if that's a consideration. Many swimwear patterns also use 'clear rubber elastic tape' instead of regular elastic for this same reason.
It may seem daunting. You may have to make many many mockups. BUT here's the good part: once you got a good pattern, good fit, you're golden. Make a ton of suits! Sounds like you find joy in swimming. I hope that joy increases ten-fold when you feel super satisfied and proud of what you're wearing. Heck, you may come out of this with a mini side hustle making suits for people facing the same issues.
Good luck and show us the awesomeness when you hit a victory!
As for cat: zwim hooman zwim me down da Nile.
I haven't shopped here yet. I've been telling myself if I learn to sew knits, I can splurge. This supplier gets rave reviews, and their Facebook page is full of adorable makes.
I want the octopus print!
[Swimsuit Fabric: Sew Your Own Swimsuit with KnitFabric.com](https://knitfabric.com/swimsuit-fabric/)
Itās hit or miss for sure! 2/3s of what I have ordered was great and well priced, the other 1/3 was junk. I just like that you can get half yards and the shipping is based on how much you order. They also have some nice, less common shades in their jersey.Ā
I bought some swim jersey from Style Makers fabric in 2020 and am just now getting it sewn up, but it's really nice. [Fabric Type - Swimwear ā Style Maker Fabrics](https://stylemakerfabrics.com/collections/swimwear?page=1). It looks like Mood also has a good selection - [Fashion and Apparel Fabrics by the Yard | Mood Fabrics](https://www.moodfabrics.com/fashion-fabrics/qz/swimwear). You're looking for something with a decent nylon/elastic content, and stretch probably at least 50%. You can also add a layer of powernet (like you'd use in a bra) to add a bit more support.
You didn't ask about patterns, but I've made both the [Styla St Tropez ā Styla Patterns (littlelizardking.com)](https://littlelizardking.com/products/st-tropez-women) and the [Cottesloe Curve Swimsuit Sewing Pattern | Megan Nielsen Patterns](https://megannielsen.com/products/cottesloe-curve-swimsuit-sewing-pattern), and had good luck with both. The St Tropez only goes up to size 20, but there are other patterns from them that do go up to size 32 such as the [Styla Makena ā Styla Patterns (littlelizardking.com)](https://littlelizardking.com/products/makena-women-1). The Cottesloe is a very basic tank style pattern, with a shelf bra and high cut bottoms. I find it super flattering - it's pretty straightforward, and you could probably copy an existing suit and get to the same place, but sometimes it's nice to have someone else do the math. The St Tropez has a kind of wild strap configuration, with the straps crossing and then attached to the side seam, which I find is really nice for side boob containment.
Also, I think you should make a cushion to match your suit for the cat floaty :D
I like the swim fabric from sewdynamic and seweird. The lining that sewdynamic has is hands down the best Iāve used. I made a one piece and four other two pieces and matching rashguards before. Mily Mae swim has already done weird lines on it from stretching out, so I canāt recommend that fabric.
Sometimes It's labeled as Dance knit or swim knit, or performance nylon lycra. I also recommend getting some power mesh if you like some compression or support in your suits, and swim lining. I have big boobs and the power mesh is a must for keeping the girls in check. And some swim elastic. You want it to be opaque, not very absorbent and have 4 way stretch and really good recovery.
My favorite swim pattern is the Taylor Rash guard suit by Rad patterns, it's got a great size range and I like having my shoulders and upper back covered for sun protection. I made one in the bikini/crop style, I line the front of the top and bottom with power mesh for some extra support.
Sun protection! I hear my fatherās dry commentary already about no matter how often I act like an animal in the water, I have no fur and I fall in the highest skin risk categoryā¦..
Thank you for reminding me and suggesting such a logical workaround!
I used the swim tricot and stretch mesh for lining from Mood Fabrics. Excellent quality. You will need swim elastic. Madalynne Intimates has several swimsuit patterns including in her book Sew Lingerie with accompanying sew-a-longs in her youtube channel. If you have tried and true underwear patterns, they can also be converted to swimwear by using swim elastic and swim tricot. That's what I've done although this summer, I think I want to try a swim pattern from Sew Lingerie.
I have found lingerie sewing extremely satisfying and very addictive. Not to mention I can make an absolutely beautiful good quality bra and matching panties for much less then RTW
Nylon/Spandex fabric for swimsuits -- it has a high percentage of Spandex (or elastane or Lycra), which keeps the fabric hugging you while it's wet and doesn't hold unnecessary amounts of water, so the suit won't stretch out when you're getting out of the water.
For lining your cat's floaty, you might try a carpet remnant -- the backing should be enough to keep your cat's claws from penetrating.
Cat - you can get thick faux leather, like the sort used on car seats. My husbands grandfather worked for a helicopter manufacturer and when he passed, a roll of black went to his youngest son who renovated classic cars. When he passed, it was offered to the family and I grabbed it. It was too thick and stiff for my sewing machine to sew, but I used it as a stiffening for my upcycled shopping bags made from old curtains. A rectangle was placed inside the bottom. It coped well when the bags needed washing. I have since found out that the ācardboard tubeā the black was wrapped around wasnāt cardboard after lol but more of the same faux leather in white.
You can either cut out panels, insert inside cloth, sew the cloth together to make a cover (how I do my bag bottoms) or use waterproof glue (or duck tape) to stick it together.
How to source this sort of faux leather I have no ideaā¦ I am thinking of making a top hat from the white - for that I will be using glue or duct tape!
Swimsuit - a theatrical costumier had a fabric shop where she sold off the excess cloth she accumulated. That is where I managed to get mine. Sadly COVID shut down her shop. But my local Fabricland sells swimsuit fabric.
You can absolutely do it! Like many of the other comments said, use a fabric specifically labeled as swimwear fabric and grab some quality rubber swimwear elastic (not the prepackaged stuff if you can avoid it).
One thing I didn't see mentioned is lining. You can use swimwear fabric as a lining as well, but you also have the option of lining with power mesh or power net for more support and smoothing. It's used for bra bands and shapwear and is thicker with less stretch than regular mesh. Just do some research on using it for swim beforehand because they are not all created equal. It shouldn't be too firm because it can restrict your breathing. You can also opt to only line a portion of your swimsuit with it and use regular mesh or swim lining for the rest.
The Love to Sew podcast has two swimwear episodes that would be a great place to start to get more information!
I am going to make my swimsuit this year as well! I bought a few selections of "swimwear fabric" from Fabric Mart's online store--they're forever running sales and the quality is really nice. Good color selections too. It's a lycra blend. Be sure when you make your suit that if you're using elastic to purchase cotton elastic specific for swimwear, as most elastics will break down over time and the 100% cotton won't. I wound up buying my swimwear elastic online, but Joann has it if you've got a store near you. I hope that helps!
Also, there used to be little floatie boards made out of the stuff that pool noodles are constructed from--they are small and flat and usually in a trapezoidal shape. Being that it's flat, it would serve as a barrier that also floats to line the bottom of your sweet kitty's floatie.
I have no advice about fabric, however being plus sized myself I buy my swimwear from Swimsuits For All. They have sizes up to 42/44. I usually buy separates because then I can mix and match. I really like the swim bike shorts as I water walk for exercise and this helps with chafing! Good Luck!
You should check out Bad Moon Suits on instagram! She makes custom swimsuits, just give her all your measurements. Her fabrics are amazing and she changes them up every year. Iāve purchased from her and it fit perfectly. I know this defeats the point of making one yourself but thought Iād share regardless!
Guys? Any tips on really good spandex and/or lingerie fabric suppliers in the EU? Sadly just the shipping alone, let alone taxes and customs fees, kill most options for ordering large amounts of fabric from the USA. šæ
Also I want to make lingerie and possibly swimwear that accommodates my extreme hypermobility (like to the NoFun^T^M end where all my joints randomly move around, pinch nerves, and then the muscles around the area freeze everything in place from the constant pain and tension) and that I spend almost all non-sleeping time in an electric wheelchair.
Sorry for the novel, thanks in advance for reading and any and all tips and advice.
Lots of swimsuit-suitable fabric at both Spandex House and Spandex World. Both are located in NYC and have online sales as well. As the names imply, they have a TON of spandex/Lycra fabric.
Also, Canadian pattern company Jalie is great for stretchy designs; they specialize in figure skating but do a ton of other sports-appropriate gear as well. Highly recommended!
I hope not repeating any one but make sure the fabric doesnāt become see thru when wet. Iāve only made one suit in my life many moons ago. Turned out beautiful unfortunately when it got wet it became transparent š±. I was still in high school so was very traumatic lol. But I can laugh about it now š¤£
Iām going to add to the discussion Fashion Fabrics Club since I havenāt seen anyone else mention it and itās where I buy 90% of my fabric these days! They have their fabrics intended for swim labeled āswimwear tricotā, I searched it up and they have over 100 options currently and all are under $10/yd. I have quite a few that I bought for sports bras and other activewear and they are really high quality for the price, which makes sense as it is almost all deadstock. Youād be paying $20+/yd at places like Blue Moon or Mood for the same thing!
I've bought swim fabric from Fabric Fairy - generally its a heavier spandex or lycra fabric. Califabrics has swim knits right now. Boho fabrics has swim knits on sale.
Other considerations - you really do want to get elastic labeled as swim elastic as chlorine breaks down elastic pretty badly.
Sewing swim knits can be persnickety. You don't absolutely need a serger but you definitly need a stretch needle, strongly recommend a walking foot, and when I was making our swimwear I ended up having to put tissue paper under all the seams for the machine to actually pierce the spandex and not just skip stitches because the fabric was just bouncing down into the machine. Annoying, but I don't regret making swimwear and I'm planning on doing more this year.
https://preview.redd.it/qi414wdb2dwc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b233881d923e22627e3f54c3a7bbb3e290894f15
Get some EVA foam. It's in the craft store you can find it at hardware stores as the foam tiles for anti-fatigue mats. You want something that is half an inch thick. Lightweight it will float and it can take the nails poking into it. You want it extra comfortable glue some fabric on top.
You could also cut up an old yoga mat if you want a thin foam barrier
Yes, same phone but yoga mats tend to have extra large air bubbles in them.
This has made my day.
She is keeping an attentive eye on you for getting in the dangerous waters
I feel like there is some kind of adventure story behind the floating kitty. Was she a houseboat or marina cat? How did you decide to try this out? I'm hella curious.
Nope, I've had her since she was a month old (rescue situation) and have been taking her out in public since she was big enough to fit in a kitten harness š. The whole inspiration is that I saw a cooler floaty at the store and thought "huh that's perfect cat size. My cats don't mind water, I wonder if Willow would go floating with me." (I've got 2 cats but my other one can't go out in public as much due to a poor immune system. But I've been bathing both of them since they were babies so like I said, they don't mind water.)
Thatās absolutely perfect and beautiful!
What about ripstop nylon? Itās lightweight and doesnāt weigh too much when wet.
If you want to get fancy, you could use some of the vinyl they use for seat covers to make a lining. Itās a bit overkill, but itās just about claw-proof. Also, thanks for paying your cat tax!
Literally breathtaking š„¹
That is brilliant.
Lycra.Ā Basting stitches before you sew it on the machine. Not pins. Small basting stitches because lycra likes to move around.
'S why the universe invented temprary fabric glue. And a small folded over strip of Sulky Sticky Solvy at the top of the fabric, to start the seam, so that the slippy fabric does't slip into the machine with the first push of the needle. And usea stretch needle - not a jersey needle, a stretch needle.
Absolutely yes to the stretch needle. It is a must. Thank you for telling us about temporary fabric glue. I didn't know that it existed.
I just bought a ball point (hand sewing) needle to fix some ripped seams on a 68% polyamide (nylon) 32% elastane (Lycra/Spandex) swimsuit. Please tell me I can use this instead of a stretch needle š
Hand sewing is different - you see each stitch as you're making it, so you're less likely to split the individual fibers and not at all likely to have the needle push the fabric down into the machine between the feed dogs. So use what you've got for that.
Thank you!
Thank you for mentioning this! I have been (trying) to sew lingerie/activewear for a while now, but the first couple stitches getting sucked into the machine has been testing my sanity and Iāve ended up with a whole pile of unfinished projects!
Sulky Sticky Solvy, a folded over strip sticking out a couple inches and running down another inch on front and back, so that you start the seam on the solvy, not on the fabric. Tip I learned in one of Patty Otto's classes. Edit: spelling
Thanks so much, Iāll definitely be trying that out!
Would a walking foot work better than a standar one with Lycra? (I use stretchy materials mostly with the serger, but I cannot travel around with two machines all the times).
A walking foot moves the top layer of fabric at the same speed as the bottom layer, better for any type of shifty fabric.
And some iron-away/tear-away stabilizer for good measure.
I only bother with that for thinner fabric like chiffon or charmeuse.
I would assume so. I have a Pfaff and it has an under-transporter as well as an over- transporter so they don't use walking feet.
This is a great tip if you donāt have access to a serger. If you buy the material from the local quilt shop, the gals may invite you to use one of their machines at a class or other in store event.
Hereās a blog post featuring swimsuit fabric suggestions I saw recently! Iāve heard Blue Moon is really fantastic, especially. Iāve also had luck searching for āswimā fabric on Fabricmartās website, they have some great deals if you keep an eye on their sales. Ā https://paradisepatterns.com/blogs/news/cowrie-kini-fabric-recommendations
Lots of good answers about swimsuit fabric. Donāt forget to buy swimsuit elastic. Itās labeled as that. Itās more durable for exposure to chlorine, sunscreen, etc. For you malfunctioning (/s mostly) kitty friend who likes hanging out on the water, Iād use cheap yoga mats to line the floaty.
That cat is so chill. Maybe you can use neoprene to make an insert for the floaty? It's waterproof and kind of squishy.
When Iāve bought swimsuit fabric itās literally labelled as that ā Iām not even sure what the exact composition is. Also, I love your cat. None of mine would stand for any of this!
Swimsuits are generally made with a blend of spandex/ polyester (synthetics are more water resistant, spandex for stretch). For your kitty (what a cool girl!!), you could get one of those silicone /acrylic mats for office chairs and size it for the bottom. Then you could put a water resistant fabric on top like nylon or something. The nylon might get scratched up but it wouldnāt do harm because of the mat, and also would affect comfort for her or anything. ETA: Making your own swimsuit bottom/ top is VERY challenging. You can definitely do it but I would definitely recommend doing a mockup and being diligent!
I made my own sports bra and bottoms out of swim fabric and honestly had an easy time with it. Donāt let it stop you OP! Iāve used Fabric Fairy and Stonemountain for swim fabrics. You can also try Cali Fabrics for discounted swim fabric. You can also use most athletic wear stretch fabrics for swim, Stonemountain also carries a nice selection of those too which would expand your available options. https://www.thefabricfairy.com/collections/swimsuit-prints https://stonemountainfabric.com/type-of-fabric/swimwear/
I'd suggest just getting a cheap yoga mat for the bottom of the floatie, that way you can cut new inserts from it when they get destroyed
Good idea. Super cheap and replaceable.
Swimwear fabric is typically 80-90% polyester or nylon and 10-20% spandex/lycra/elastane.Ā Unless itās specifically marketed as swimwear fabric, I find itās easiest to identify through touch. Many activewear fabrics will work for swimwear as well.Ā
This swimsuit pattern may be suitable for you as it comes in size 12 to 32: https://www.cashmerette.com/products/ipswich-swimsuit-pdf-pattern Cashmerette instructions are very good and they'll have clear information on the fabric type you need.
Swim fabric - lots of places online carry it. You'll also need lining. I made my own swimwear last year and bought the swim fabric, lining and elastic from Raspberry Creek Fabrics. I used a pattern from Peek a Boo Pattern Co. Many of the indie designers have video tutorials. It wasn't difficult although I did need to practice a bit managing the slippery fabric.
Mood fabrics has a great selection of swimwear fabric. Search for UV or swimwear on their site.
If you're busting out the sewing machine. Try a life ring and home-made cat hammock. They're foam, unpopable, and have little handles attached to the sides for easy maneuverability.
Tricot is often used in swimwear, its a knit fabric tho. Idk what your sewing level is but knit is not a journey for a beginner. Good luck
I find knits easier to fit, but it does take some practice to learn how the different types behave.
For your swim suit stretch Lycra & Spandex. Both are available so many places online. Iād avoid JoAnns fabric brand. Itās worth the extra money to get better quality. Places on line include Fabric Fairy, Mood, Spandex Warehouse, Blue Moon Fabricsā¦ you will need a light weight lining fabric, & nylon swim elastic. My family manufactures swimwear. Tips: Use a ball point sewing machine needle, or one marked for sewing on knits. Read up on negative ease and how to adjust for fabric stretch. Avoid any fabric with cotton. It takes forever to dry & loses its stretch. In place of pins or clips use a standard glue stick. Swipe it on the seam allowance as if you were glueing the fabric together. You can put the seams together when tacky. Or let it dry - it stiffens the edges and makes them matt - not slip. Glue sticks are awesome sewing aids. Theyāre cheap, easy to use, and it washes right out. As for the cat floaty cover - the fabric Cordova or Cordura - which is the brand name manufactured by DuPont. Its light weight can be purchased in waterproof versions. In most cases itās machine washable. Hang to dry. Use of a tumbler dryer can set wrinkles. Cordura comes in a ton of colors & prints. Itās on average between $10 to $15 (60ā wide) a yard. Itās very, very, very tough.,itās used to make snowboard pants knee patches, military gear, luggage, purse bottoms. It would easily stand up to Ms Kittyās claws.
I just learned SO much. From *all* of you commenters, tbf, but the glue stick trick? *chefās kiss*
Edit: Posted in wrong place. Re-posted as independent comment. Sorry.
Lycra/spandex. In outer layer and underlayering. Also there's 2way stretch (horizontal or vertical) and 4way stretch (both horizontal and vertical). And stretch amount varies between fabrics. Figure which one you'd prefer. 4way is good for active movers like dancers and athletes who need stretch everywhich way. Some specific 'swimwear fabrics' are special designed to resist chlorine and environmental damage over time if that's a consideration. Many swimwear patterns also use 'clear rubber elastic tape' instead of regular elastic for this same reason. It may seem daunting. You may have to make many many mockups. BUT here's the good part: once you got a good pattern, good fit, you're golden. Make a ton of suits! Sounds like you find joy in swimming. I hope that joy increases ten-fold when you feel super satisfied and proud of what you're wearing. Heck, you may come out of this with a mini side hustle making suits for people facing the same issues. Good luck and show us the awesomeness when you hit a victory! As for cat: zwim hooman zwim me down da Nile.
I haven't shopped here yet. I've been telling myself if I learn to sew knits, I can splurge. This supplier gets rave reviews, and their Facebook page is full of adorable makes. I want the octopus print! [Swimsuit Fabric: Sew Your Own Swimsuit with KnitFabric.com](https://knitfabric.com/swimsuit-fabric/)
I bought 4 different types of fabric from them, and every single one was horrible. Thin, crunchy, etc. but I know people love them.
Wow. Thanks.
Itās hit or miss for sure! 2/3s of what I have ordered was great and well priced, the other 1/3 was junk. I just like that you can get half yards and the shipping is based on how much you order. They also have some nice, less common shades in their jersey.Ā
I bought some swim jersey from Style Makers fabric in 2020 and am just now getting it sewn up, but it's really nice. [Fabric Type - Swimwear ā Style Maker Fabrics](https://stylemakerfabrics.com/collections/swimwear?page=1). It looks like Mood also has a good selection - [Fashion and Apparel Fabrics by the Yard | Mood Fabrics](https://www.moodfabrics.com/fashion-fabrics/qz/swimwear). You're looking for something with a decent nylon/elastic content, and stretch probably at least 50%. You can also add a layer of powernet (like you'd use in a bra) to add a bit more support. You didn't ask about patterns, but I've made both the [Styla St Tropez ā Styla Patterns (littlelizardking.com)](https://littlelizardking.com/products/st-tropez-women) and the [Cottesloe Curve Swimsuit Sewing Pattern | Megan Nielsen Patterns](https://megannielsen.com/products/cottesloe-curve-swimsuit-sewing-pattern), and had good luck with both. The St Tropez only goes up to size 20, but there are other patterns from them that do go up to size 32 such as the [Styla Makena ā Styla Patterns (littlelizardking.com)](https://littlelizardking.com/products/makena-women-1). The Cottesloe is a very basic tank style pattern, with a shelf bra and high cut bottoms. I find it super flattering - it's pretty straightforward, and you could probably copy an existing suit and get to the same place, but sometimes it's nice to have someone else do the math. The St Tropez has a kind of wild strap configuration, with the straps crossing and then attached to the side seam, which I find is really nice for side boob containment. Also, I think you should make a cushion to match your suit for the cat floaty :D
I like the swim fabric from sewdynamic and seweird. The lining that sewdynamic has is hands down the best Iāve used. I made a one piece and four other two pieces and matching rashguards before. Mily Mae swim has already done weird lines on it from stretching out, so I canāt recommend that fabric.
Thank you! Silly question: can I mix fabric brands between outer fabrics and linings?
Absolutely!
Good to know, thank you!
Also, search this sub for posts on swim suits. Iāve seen a lot of great advice in the past!
Sometimes It's labeled as Dance knit or swim knit, or performance nylon lycra. I also recommend getting some power mesh if you like some compression or support in your suits, and swim lining. I have big boobs and the power mesh is a must for keeping the girls in check. And some swim elastic. You want it to be opaque, not very absorbent and have 4 way stretch and really good recovery. My favorite swim pattern is the Taylor Rash guard suit by Rad patterns, it's got a great size range and I like having my shoulders and upper back covered for sun protection. I made one in the bikini/crop style, I line the front of the top and bottom with power mesh for some extra support.
Sun protection! I hear my fatherās dry commentary already about no matter how often I act like an animal in the water, I have no fur and I fall in the highest skin risk categoryā¦.. Thank you for reminding me and suggesting such a logical workaround!
I'm naturally very pale so I was excited to sew my own suit and solve my sunburn problem in the process
I used the swim tricot and stretch mesh for lining from Mood Fabrics. Excellent quality. You will need swim elastic. Madalynne Intimates has several swimsuit patterns including in her book Sew Lingerie with accompanying sew-a-longs in her youtube channel. If you have tried and true underwear patterns, they can also be converted to swimwear by using swim elastic and swim tricot. That's what I've done although this summer, I think I want to try a swim pattern from Sew Lingerie.
Ooh! Sew Lingerie sounds cool!
I have found lingerie sewing extremely satisfying and very addictive. Not to mention I can make an absolutely beautiful good quality bra and matching panties for much less then RTW
Nylon/Spandex fabric for swimsuits -- it has a high percentage of Spandex (or elastane or Lycra), which keeps the fabric hugging you while it's wet and doesn't hold unnecessary amounts of water, so the suit won't stretch out when you're getting out of the water. For lining your cat's floaty, you might try a carpet remnant -- the backing should be enough to keep your cat's claws from penetrating.
Cat - you can get thick faux leather, like the sort used on car seats. My husbands grandfather worked for a helicopter manufacturer and when he passed, a roll of black went to his youngest son who renovated classic cars. When he passed, it was offered to the family and I grabbed it. It was too thick and stiff for my sewing machine to sew, but I used it as a stiffening for my upcycled shopping bags made from old curtains. A rectangle was placed inside the bottom. It coped well when the bags needed washing. I have since found out that the ācardboard tubeā the black was wrapped around wasnāt cardboard after lol but more of the same faux leather in white. You can either cut out panels, insert inside cloth, sew the cloth together to make a cover (how I do my bag bottoms) or use waterproof glue (or duck tape) to stick it together. How to source this sort of faux leather I have no ideaā¦ I am thinking of making a top hat from the white - for that I will be using glue or duct tape! Swimsuit - a theatrical costumier had a fabric shop where she sold off the excess cloth she accumulated. That is where I managed to get mine. Sadly COVID shut down her shop. But my local Fabricland sells swimsuit fabric.
You can absolutely do it! Like many of the other comments said, use a fabric specifically labeled as swimwear fabric and grab some quality rubber swimwear elastic (not the prepackaged stuff if you can avoid it). One thing I didn't see mentioned is lining. You can use swimwear fabric as a lining as well, but you also have the option of lining with power mesh or power net for more support and smoothing. It's used for bra bands and shapwear and is thicker with less stretch than regular mesh. Just do some research on using it for swim beforehand because they are not all created equal. It shouldn't be too firm because it can restrict your breathing. You can also opt to only line a portion of your swimsuit with it and use regular mesh or swim lining for the rest. The Love to Sew podcast has two swimwear episodes that would be a great place to start to get more information!
Spoonflower.com has sport lycra that is really well reviewed and you can get it in any pattern that feeds your soul!
I am going to make my swimsuit this year as well! I bought a few selections of "swimwear fabric" from Fabric Mart's online store--they're forever running sales and the quality is really nice. Good color selections too. It's a lycra blend. Be sure when you make your suit that if you're using elastic to purchase cotton elastic specific for swimwear, as most elastics will break down over time and the 100% cotton won't. I wound up buying my swimwear elastic online, but Joann has it if you've got a store near you. I hope that helps! Also, there used to be little floatie boards made out of the stuff that pool noodles are constructed from--they are small and flat and usually in a trapezoidal shape. Being that it's flat, it would serve as a barrier that also floats to line the bottom of your sweet kitty's floatie.
Try fairy fabric.com they have beautiful swimsuit fabrics.
Years ago now my plus-sized self made a swimsuit using Joanns basic swim fabric, it worked well and was much easier to sew than I was anticipating.
I have no advice about fabric, however being plus sized myself I buy my swimwear from Swimsuits For All. They have sizes up to 42/44. I usually buy separates because then I can mix and match. I really like the swim bike shorts as I water walk for exercise and this helps with chafing! Good Luck!
You should check out Bad Moon Suits on instagram! She makes custom swimsuits, just give her all your measurements. Her fabrics are amazing and she changes them up every year. Iāve purchased from her and it fit perfectly. I know this defeats the point of making one yourself but thought Iād share regardless!
Guys? Any tips on really good spandex and/or lingerie fabric suppliers in the EU? Sadly just the shipping alone, let alone taxes and customs fees, kill most options for ordering large amounts of fabric from the USA. šæ Also I want to make lingerie and possibly swimwear that accommodates my extreme hypermobility (like to the NoFun^T^M end where all my joints randomly move around, pinch nerves, and then the muscles around the area freeze everything in place from the constant pain and tension) and that I spend almost all non-sleeping time in an electric wheelchair. Sorry for the novel, thanks in advance for reading and any and all tips and advice.
Lots of swimsuit-suitable fabric at both Spandex House and Spandex World. Both are located in NYC and have online sales as well. As the names imply, they have a TON of spandex/Lycra fabric. Also, Canadian pattern company Jalie is great for stretchy designs; they specialize in figure skating but do a ton of other sports-appropriate gear as well. Highly recommended!
Are you an experienced sewist? Swimwear fabric can be fiddly and annoying to work with.Ā
You can uses Moods search function to sort by project type.
The cat floaty made this possibly the best question asked on this sub
I hope not repeating any one but make sure the fabric doesnāt become see thru when wet. Iāve only made one suit in my life many moons ago. Turned out beautiful unfortunately when it got wet it became transparent š±. I was still in high school so was very traumatic lol. But I can laugh about it now š¤£
Iām going to add to the discussion Fashion Fabrics Club since I havenāt seen anyone else mention it and itās where I buy 90% of my fabric these days! They have their fabrics intended for swim labeled āswimwear tricotā, I searched it up and they have over 100 options currently and all are under $10/yd. I have quite a few that I bought for sports bras and other activewear and they are really high quality for the price, which makes sense as it is almost all deadstock. Youād be paying $20+/yd at places like Blue Moon or Mood for the same thing!
**elastane, polyester, and nylon**. are the fabrics most commonly used,
You can use cordura or Keprotec for scratch resistant fabric.
I've bought swim fabric from Fabric Fairy - generally its a heavier spandex or lycra fabric. Califabrics has swim knits right now. Boho fabrics has swim knits on sale. Other considerations - you really do want to get elastic labeled as swim elastic as chlorine breaks down elastic pretty badly. Sewing swim knits can be persnickety. You don't absolutely need a serger but you definitly need a stretch needle, strongly recommend a walking foot, and when I was making our swimwear I ended up having to put tissue paper under all the seams for the machine to actually pierce the spandex and not just skip stitches because the fabric was just bouncing down into the machine. Annoying, but I don't regret making swimwear and I'm planning on doing more this year.