Pattern and Instructions: The Bathing Beauty Swimsuit
The Bathing Beauty Bathing Suit is one in a million! Inspired by one of the many gold swimsuits worn by Esther Williams (and by a risqué one in my collection!), this versatile beauty gives you so many options to make it your own.
Create a simple suit with a halter strap, or add a ruched overlay in the same fabric as the bathing suit for a classic vintage-inspired look.
Or stun the crowd with a more modern nude-illusion take, with barely-there mesh ruched over a flesh-toned swimsuit.
And, of course, we’ve included an optional inner bra, too, for extra support!
You'll find the tiled file (for printing at home on A4 or letter size sheets and taping together) and the A0 file (for printing at a copy shop like ThePlottedPattern.com). Please note that we have two size blocks, so make sure to download the correct files for the size you're making. If you have any questions about which size to sew, don't forget to read our blog post with all the details!
Don't forget to share your makes with the hashtags #bathingbeautyswimsuit and #charmpatterns!
xoxo,
Gertie
P.S. Ooopsie! An eagle-eyed patron noticed an error related to the Knot. It should be "cut 2 fabric, 2 optional overlay," not one of each. The files have been updated (as of June 12), so please use the new Instructions file if you downloaded it earlier. Sorry about that!
Comments (54)
Where would i find the video for this garment ?The Bathing Beauty Swimsuit
Here you go! https://www.patreon.com/posts/130259685/
QUESTION - If you are not adding the overlay, is there ruching still on pieces 1 &2 (front and back)? I looks like it on Susie's bathing suit, but the video & pattern doesn't mention it. Thanks
There is no ruching on the base swimsuit. Susie's suit actually does have the overlay - it's just the same fabric as the base, so it's hard to tell!
I did my vertical trunk measurement and it is waaaaaay more than the finished measurements for vertical trunk. Am I misunderstanding the measurements?
Can you provide a sketch of the vertical trunk measurement? I googled it and what came back can't be what your referring to. Thanks
Is there a pattern I can use to make a bolero style jacket for the swimsuit? I have lupus and want long sleeve style
Hi Maria, the Peter Pan bolero is made for knits, although you may have to adjust sizing depending on the level of stretch in your fabric. That might be a good place to start.
Is there any reason you couldn't make a bodysuit from this pattern, and wear it with a skirt or a pair of jeans?
As long as the fabric you choose as the correct amount of stretch, I don't see why you couldn't wear this as a body suit.
THIS! This I am obsessed with! I will use Purple, as a Fibromyalgia awareness tribute, because the only exercise I am allowed is in water.
OMG this is awesome, I've wanted to make almost this exact swimsuit for years and haven't been able to find a pattern even close to my shape/size! (Only thing I'm going to change is make it shoulder straps instead of a halter)
So you could use a solid/opaque fabric as the overlay too - is that correct?
Yes, that is correct!
I found a compression swimsuit fabric - would that work for the overlay or is it too tight?
It depends on how much it is able to stretch; you're looking for 15%-20% spandex
Now I have to dig through my fabric stash to see if I have appropriate fabric! This would be so cute to take to a healthcare conference I’m attending in KY this month.
I'm so obsessed! But is anyone else having a hard time finding a liner fabric with the spandex requirements? Looking at the shops Gertie suggests I find a ton of stuff with more than 10% spandex
Anything sold as "swimsuit lining" should work! You just want it to have a stretch percentage that is equal to or less than the swimsuit fabric.
The way I literally SCREAMED!!! I've wanted this EXACT pattern for YEARS!
Love this look!!
Holy crap, I thought you’d never make another swimsuit!!I love it!
That's so cool, the look of risque but it's not! Love this!
YES. I will need to make one in every color! 💖
This is a very cute design 😍
Yes!!!!! Love it!!! I would even make a top out of it!
Ooh I love this style and have had 2 different suits in this style before. I’m very excited!
oh em squeeeeee i love this smmmmm 🤩💖✨
Love this! I also feel like this could be fairly easy to hack into a two piece?
That was my question too!!
Incroyable ! 🔥🔥
Sooo exactly what I wanted
Did anyone else notice Gertie’s new tattoo? It is so pretty.
First time I figured it out! And I've been drooling over that suit, so I'm jazzed!
Since I couldn't find one to buy, now I can make one that looks so much better.Lovely....Thank you Gertie 😄
Splendid! And I suppose it could be easy for those who one one to make it a bikini with high waisted bottom.
Oh my goodness!!!! I was hoping and praying this was going to be the pattern!!! Ahhh I’m so excited and just in time for summer!!!!
Beautiful 😍
Gorgeous! Now time to immerse myself in spandex shopping ;)
Ok I’m not far from Palm Springs….. I feel some strutting for no reason at the pools coming! LOVE THIS! Dress up and lounge!
I knew it was the espresso suit!!!!
I LOVE IT!!! ANOTHER TRIUMPH, GERTIE!!!
This is perfect for kid friendly and adult only cruises. I’m just saying.
Wow, I’m sitting here watching the video while sewing another society dress (my second one but I wanted to watch the facing section of the video again) and this popped up. Awesome swimsuit. I’m so excited. ❤️❤️❤️
Oh My Goodness!!! Beautiful!!! STUNNING!!!
Fingers crossed that a "alternative" will be released to make a non-halter. No matter the amount of support a large bust equals painful neck.
I can’t wear halters for that reason, but just looking at the pattern pieces and the beginning of the construction video, it seems like it would be pretty easy to alter the halter to turn it into a cross-back strap attachment for comfort and lift.
Dang... You did it again.... Smoking hot bathing suit alert 😍😍
🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩
Adorable, I love it!
Yaaassss!! I have a bathing suit a this style, for ever! Thank you, so excited to make this for my spooky girl summer 🖤🖤
Dear god it finally happened!!! All those years of begging. I’m literally so happy I could cry. I started jumping up and down!!!! I’m waaaay too excited
oh my god THANK YOU !!!! I've been dreaming about it !!!!
This is amazing!