Vintage swimwear… does it get any more classic than that? I love the details, the styleIines and the form flattering designs. In this article I have scoured the internet in search for all sorts of vintage swimwear patterns including paper patterns, PDF patterns, vintage reproduction patterns, free vintage patterns, diy tutorials for vintage patterns and vintage shops that carry an array of vintage swimwear patterns.
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Where can I find vintage swimsuit sewing patterns online?
There are a variety of designers who have designed vintage inspired swimwear sewing patterns that are either free or paid from different vintage decades. You can also find vintage swimwear sewing paper patterns for sale on Etsy as well as PDF reproductions of vintage swimwear sewing paper patterns. The options may surprise and they are all on this handy list!
Ready to find you new vintage swimwear sewing pattern?
Before you get started don’t forget to open a new tab and take a look at these How To articles about swimwear and swimwear fabrics:
Best Fabrics for Sewing Swimwear
Need help finding fabrics? Check out these recommendations:
Swimwear Fabrics from fabric.com
Let’s get this project started on the right foot!
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Free Vintage Swimwear Sewing Patterns
- Title: The Reed Swimsuit from Mood Fabrics
- Level: Advanced Beginner for top and Beginner for bikini bottom
- Sizes: 2-30
- Format: PDF download
Description: The Reed Swimsuit from Mood Fabrics is a two-piece bikini with a retro vibe. It features cute design elements such as a puff sleeve and twist off front top perfect for any 1950s inspired swimwear design. This flattering silhouette features an easy to sew high-waisted bikini bottom for great coverage. The Reed Swimsuit is a fun design great for retro lovers and flattering for many body types.
What other sewists are saying: The Reed Swimsuit has received great feedback from sewists online. They love the design but found that the bikini top needs additional reinforcements so it doesn’t slide up revealing your boobs. They suggest inserting swim cups, cinching in the back of the bikini top or adding elastic to the bottom of the cup area. Try a combination of these suggestions based on your body type and comfort level. The last thing you want is for your swim top to roll up and display the girls! This swimsuit sewing pattern recommends a serger sewing machine as well but you can still sew this swimsuit with your trusty zigzag stitch setting on your regular sewing machine. You can even use the mock overlock stitch that is featured on some sewing machines.
- 30s Inspired Swimsuit Sewing Pattern from Soulmatte.com
- Size Range: XS-L
Description: Check out this page there are a ton of free swimsuit patterns from this designer. Click on the link then scroll through to find your specific pattern. They are all on one page and can be downloaded directly from the web site. These patterns are really thoughtful and stylish – I am surprised they are all free! There are two-piece swimsuits, full bodysuits, retro and vintage styles and more!
What other sewists are saying: If you have tried any of the Soulmatte Free Swimsuit Patterns then please give it a shout out. I would love to hear your feedback. There are so many great designs to chose from and you get to flex your sewing skills while adding some great techniques to your sewing construction knowledge toolbox.
- 40s Inspired Swimsuit Sewing Pattern from Soulmatte.com
- Size Range: XS-L
Description: Check out this page there are a ton of free swimsuit patterns from this designer. Click on the link then scroll through to find your specific pattern. They are all on one page and can be downloaded directly from the web site. These patterns are really thoughtful and stylish – I am surprised they are all free! There are two-piece swimsuits, full bodysuits, retro and vintage styles and more!
What other sewists are saying: If you have tried any of the Soulmatte Free Swimsuit Patterns then please give it a shout out. I would love to hear your feedback. There are so many great designs to chose from and you get to flex your sewing skills while adding some great techniques to your sewing construction knowledge toolbox.
- 50s Inspired Swimsuit Sewing Pattern from Soulmatte.com
- Size Range: XS-L
Description: Check out this page there are a ton of free swimsuit patterns from this designer. Click on the link then scroll through to find your specific pattern. They are all on one page and can be downloaded directly from the web site. These patterns are really thoughtful and stylish – I am surprised they are all free! There are two-piece swimsuits, full bodysuits, retro and vintage styles and more!
What other sewists are saying: If you have tried any of the Soulmatte Free Swimsuit Patterns then please give it a shout out. I would love to hear your feedback. There are so many great designs to chose from and you get to flex your sewing skills while adding some great techniques to your sewing construction knowledge toolbox.
- 60s Inspired Swimsuit Sewing Pattern from Soulmatte.com
- Size Range: XS-L
Description: Check out this page there are a ton of free swimsuit patterns from this designer. Click on the link then scroll through to find your specific pattern. They are all on one page and can be downloaded directly from the web site. These patterns are really thoughtful and stylish – I am surprised they are all free! There are two-piece swimsuits, full bodysuits, retro and vintage styles and more!
What other sewists are saying: If you have tried any of the Soulmatte Free Swimsuit Patterns then please give it a shout out. I would love to hear your feedback. There are so many great designs to chose from and you get to flex your sewing skills while adding some great techniques to your sewing construction knowledge toolbox.
DIY Tutorials of Vintage Swimwear Sewing Patterns
- Title: How to Sew a Vintage Style High-Waist Bikini
- Level: Advanced Beginner
- Sizes: Small
- Format: PDF download
Description: I really had fun reading through this Vintage Style High-Waist Bikini tutorial. This tutorial comes to us from Holly Mann who created this free pattern and lovely tutorial on instructables.com. I love the authentic vintage style of this pattern. This swimsuit bottom features two ways of styling while both include a high-waist you can choose to panel and ruche the sides or leave the traditional side seam while adding some ruffles to the leg-openings. You even get some great sewing techniques for using elastic in your swimsuit which can translate to so many other sewing projects. Holly also helps you adjust for fit and size since this pattern comes in only a small but she is thorough in her instructions so fear not. Lastly, Holly adds a quick DIY tutorial to the end that roughly guides you on how to make a bikini top. It looks really fun and worth a try to get that full vintage bikini look.
What other sewists are saying: Sewists are truly loving this pattern! You’ll find lots of great feedback and finished photos for this pattern on the Instructables web site. The design is a hit with all age ranges and sewists were really pleased with the detailed instructions and photos. This is a beautiful swimsuit and perfect for vintage lovers.
- Title: Tutorial: Sewing up your Pin Up Bathing Suit from the Kitschy Coo Blog
- Level: Advanced Beginner to Intermediate
- Sizes: Any
- Format: Tutorial
Description: What an incredibly informative tutorial that spans over several blog posts and on top of that just a fun read! The Pin Up Bathing Suit is a one-piece swimsuit featuring gathered side seams for a form flattering figure, contoured bust line with a front tie style detail and wide straps for extra support. It is vintage – pin up girl inspired but modest and functional. If you really want to flex your pattern drafting and sewing skills this is a wonderful tutorial with an awesome end result.
What other sewists are saying: Amanda’s followers loved this tutorial and were inspired to try it out. They shared their finished swimsuits on her Flickr group. Many agreed they loved the design and appreciated how thorough Amanda was in sharing all the steps for this lovely project. If this is the swimsuit for you then get ready to learn or polish those sewing skills because this one is full of great techniques to add to your sewing toolbox.
Paid Vintage Swimwear Sewing Patterns
- Abigail Vintage Style One-Piece Swimsuit Sewing Pattern from Ohhh Lulu Sews
- Size Range: XS-XL
- Format: PDF download
- Zooey 1950s Vintage Style Bikini Top Sewing Pattern from Ohhh Lulu Sews
- Size Range: XS-XL
- Format: PDF download
- Zooey 1950s Vintage Style Bikini Bottom Sewing Pattern from Ohhh Lulu Sews
- Size Range: S-XL
- Format: PDF download
- Retro Style Swimsuit Top Sewing Pattern from Calico Forest Designs
- Size Range: S-M
- Format: PDF download
- 8101 Halterneck Swimsuit from Maison Fleur Sewing Patterns
- Size Range: XS-XXL
- Format: PDF download
- The Reno Swimsuit Sewing Pattern by Seamwork
- Size Range: XS-3XL
- Format: PDF download
- Sophie Swimsuit Sewing Pattern from Closet Core Patterns
- Size Range: 0-20
- Format: PDF download
- Bombshell Swimsuit Sewing Pattern from Closet Core Patterns
- Size Range: 0-20
- Format: PDF download
- Freya’s Women’s Retro One-Piece Swimsuit PDF Pattern from CKC Patterns
- Size Range: XXS-3X
- Format: PDF download
- Ella’s Women’s Retro Ruched Swimsuit PDF Pattern from CKC Patterns
- Size Range: XXS-3X
- Format: PDF download
- Rita Bombshell Swimsuit Sewing Pattern from Wardrobe by Me
- Size Range: 0-16
- Format: PDF download
- Marilyn Bombshell Bikini Sewing Pattern from Wardrobe by Me
- Size Range: 0-16
- Format: PDF download
- Midline Swimsuit Sewing Pattern from Gingham Hive
- Size Range: XXS-4X
- Format: PDF download
- Super Suit Vintage Swimsuit Sewing Pattern from Rad Patterns
- Size Range: XXS-4X
- Format: PDF download
- Three Sisters Vintage Style Bikini Swimsuit Sewing Pattern from Pin Up Girls
- Size Range: Hips: 35″-47″, Top: Multiple sizes using Pin Up Girls measuring method
- Format: Paper pattern
- Vintage Swimsuit Sewing Pattern from EK Sewing Patterns
- Size Range: EU 34-48
- Format: PDF download
- Water Faery Retro One-Piece Sewing Pattern from Stitch Upon A Time
- Size Range: XXS-4X
- Format: PDF download
14 Vintage Sewing Pattern Shops with Swimwear Patterns
In this list of shops, you will find that some sell paper patterns, PDF patterns, vintage reproduction patterns or paper, pdf and reproductions. Make sure you understand what you are buying before you purchase one of these patterns.
Still need help find sewing swimwear or finding fabric? Check out these recommendations:
Did you look at the swimwear sewing and fabric how to articles from above? If not, check the articles and fabric shop recommendations right here:
Best Fabrics for Sewing Swimwear
Need help finding fabrics? Check out these recommendations:
Swimwear Fabrics from fabric.com
Happy Sewing!
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