I am so excited to be able to offer you the basic bikini WELL’S BAY! I created the first iteration of this bikini well over a year before re-drafting and grading it as a pattern that I can offer to you all. Sewists often have types of clothing that they steer away from, out of fear of the unknown, and swimwear is definitely one of those! Let me tell you, I totally get it. What’s scarier than sewing your own swimwear is releasing a swimwear pattern. Yikes! But I did it! And I know that you can too!!! There are lots of fun and fabulous swimwear patterns available, but I hope that the special features of the WELL’S BAY will help it to stand out.
What are those special features? The most important is probably that this bikini is FULLY REVERSIBLE! Yes! I love this because you essentially get four bikinis in one thanks to the different combinations. You can mix up solids and prints without having to commit too much to just one.
Another feature is that elastic is optional - although elastic will provide a bit more support than what I call “elast-ish”, and is particularly recommended if you are C or D cup. (By the way, what is “elast-ish”? It’s when you use a strip of swimwear fabric in place of elastic.)
As you know, I use and encourage sewing with sustainably and ethically produced fabrics wherever possible. Unfortunately, that is still very difficult to do for the home sewer with regards to swimwear. Most of the fabrics here are therefore not certified as sustainable or ethical. That said, I do hope that your multi-option bikini will last longer than usual, thanks to the available combinations!
Before we get started on fabric, I'd like to make a suggestion regarding thread. Have you ever used stretch thread? Did you even know that it existed? Well, it does! It's called Maxi-Lock Stretch Thread, and comes in a wide variety of colors. It is only available as serger cones, but you can still use it in your regular sewing machine! To do this, simply set the cone behind your sewing machine, then thread the machine through all the regular hoops and loops as normal (also to fill the bobbin). As is with most of these fabrics, it is sadly also not certified as ethically or sustainably produced. However, it will keep your seams from popping and therefore do wonders for the durability of your bikini.
+ Tribecca | The Remnant Warehouse | 260 gsm | ships from Australia
+ Navy + White Gingham | Harts Fabric | ships from the USA
+ Navy | Blackbird Fabrics | 200 gsm | ships from Canada
+ Palm Leaves | Blackbird Fabrics | 200 gsm | ships from Canada
+ Night *LIFE RECYCLED* | Funki Fabrics | 190 gsm | ships from the UK
+ Swim Shop Surf Stripe ** | Peekaboo Pattern Shop | 11 oz/yd | ships from the USA
+ Liberty Argyll Swim Amy Hurrell | The Fabric Store | ships from New Zealand
+ Jade *LIFE RECYCLED* | Funki Fabrics | 190 gsm | ships from the UK
+ Pine | The Fabric Fairy | medium weight | ships from the USA
+ Avocados | Mood Fabrics | 290 gsm | ships from the USA
+ Pink + White Gingham ** | Peekaboo Pattern Shop | ships from the USA
+ Coral Foliage on Hot Pink | The Fabric Fairy | medium weight | ships from the USA
+ Liberty Argyll Swim Mistral B | The Fabric Store | ships from New Zealand
+ Star Map | The Fabric Fairy | medium weight | ships from the USA
+ Italian Black Matte | The Remnant Warehouse | 165 gsm | ships from Australia
Grab a basic bikini WELL’S BAY pattern and get started today!
(All fabric swatch images correspond to the list of links following the images (l to r) and link directly back to their copyright owner. Please note that this post is meant for inspiration and that I cannot confirm the quality of these individual fabrics. Contact individual sellers for swatches before purchasing.)
** indicates an affiliate link. This means that if you choose to make a purchase using this link, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you so much!
Thank you so much for sharing this great blog. Very inspiring and helpful too.