PATTERN AND INSTRUCTIONS: Ruched Swimsuit Bottoms (Expansion for the Esther Swimsuit)
Happy June, patrons! As you may have already seen, we've just released two fabulous new Charm Patterns. You all have been asking for a bathing suit pattern for years now, so I hope you'll be excited to know that one of them is the Esther Swimsuit! So here on Patreon we are making this month's content all about swimwear.
Your exclusive pattern this month is an expansion for Esther, a fabulous Ruched Bottom to give your Bathing Beauty looks even more options. (If you were in a $7 or above tier at release time this morning, then check your DM's as you will have received the full Esther Swimsuit pdf pattern for free!) Mix and match this expansion with the other included bottoms in the Esther Swimsuit pattern for another fabulous vintage glam look. I adore ruching details in vintage swimwear so I knew this would be the perfect expansion to release on Patreon!
But possibly even more exciting is the video content we're releasing here this month! Because I know that swimwear can be a bit of a learning curve (especially when it has as much structure and support as our Esther Swimsuit), we've made a full-length video on sewing the Esther bodice from start to finish! This is only being released to patrons, and it will hold your hand for the entire process. We've also made a separate video that just shows the bottoms (Panty, Skirt, Bloomer, and Ruched Bottom expansion), so you will understand how to construct every part of this design.
Wondering about fabrics and supplies? Check out the written instructions at the bottom of this post for links and recommendations. You'll also 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 pdfplotting.com).
I hope you love this pattern as much as I do!
xoxo,
Gertie
Note: pattern not for distribution or commercial use/reproduction. Please keep this file confidential so we can continue to create exclusive content just for you!
Comments (40)
Love it! But so frustrating to open the instructions in my iPhone Books app. The 2nd page with all the sizing and fabric requirements makes the PDF crash every time. Anyone else have this problem? It’s always that page in all of my Patreon/Charm patterns.
I do not have this issue but I do not have an iPhone. You can always download the Adobe Reader app to your iPhone and see if that works for you.
Esther is such a cool and unique pattern! I appreciate the diversity and knowledge that you bring to the monthly releases and to the annual Charm patterns as well. Unfortunately, I'm not interested in 1 piece swimwear. This is a bit of feedback--I was a bit disappointed that the monthly pattern for June was just a pattern expansion of the annual pattern. A simple, but different complimentary pattern, like a swim cover-up or something else to match the swimwear for example. Just my thoughts, looking forward to the next month!
I would argue the June patreon content is not "just" a pattern expansion. I actually view the step by step video as the primary June patreon content, and the pattern expansion as a little bonus. It is SO helpful to have and it is multiple hours worth of video that we are getting to walk us through making the suit every step of the way. I get that you're not interested in it, but it's worth noting how much work went into it, and it is quite a valuable patreon gift! Even if you're not making the suit, you can still learn various techniques for sewing swimwear from it, so maybe if you view it through that lens you'll see you didn't "just" get an expansion for the swimsuit. :-)
I love all the patterns, but this one turned out to be my favorite! Now I will make bikinis and bathing suits that accommodate my hips and breasts in a comfortable and elegant way! Grateful for more of this pattern!
I was thinking you can adapt to bikini top with built in bra, I don’t think it will need many adaptations.
When I look for the yardage requirement on the Esther Instructions on the index says it is on Page 8 on the pdf. But I don't see any yardage on that page, only the cutting layout. Am I missing something?
The yardage is included in a small table next to the cutting layouts for each piece. So if you look at the "Swimsuit bodice, fabric" cutting layout on page nine, there is a little table/chart on the right hand side with the yardage for 60 inch fabric in two different size bands (2-10 and 12-20). I think it's set out this way because of the number of different options, so each "section" has its own yardage listed and you then add them together for all the pieces you need.
Does anyone know how to remove the big numbers if you’re printing from an iPhone?
Gertie, you certainly give us a good variety of patterns. I don't have the swimsuit pattern at the moment but if I do decide I want it I know there is a lovely add on pattern here. Potscript! I have bought the pattern as I see the top is boned which is excellent as those soft cups never flatter me and there is a completely plain option. I've never sewn swimwear before so this will be interesting! Curious to note, though, there appears to be a ruched side choice and a skirt choice in the pattern already? I will have to have a read!
Just noticed that the print at home version of the pattern has huge red text over each page. I think it may be the wrong version.
Hi Alexis, you can turn those off in the layers sidebar. They're there to navigate the pattern map in the instructions. :)
Love the piping on this version. When I saw the illustrations on the charm scout header images (the one that shows the icon model person for each level) I was like oh I so hope we're getting a swimsuit like that...and here it is! So adorable.
This is awesome! So many people have been asking for a swimsuit and you have absolutely delivered! I adore all the options. I think you have great at providing options for people here from the regular swimsuit style, to raunched (def my favourite) and the skirt I love and the bloomers. So much variety for people nto pick which one they love. I'm going to pull on my big girl bloomers and get over my dear of knits/ swimwear and give this one a go!
Love this so much!!
This will be my first bathing suit sewing project and this one is SOOO beautiful! I cannot wait to make the skirt and the ruched bottoms! Thank you, thank you!!! YOU AND YOUR CREW ARE AMAZING!
Also, I just realized that my little profile photo is me in an Esther Williams style bathing suit that I got from Mod-Cloth!
OMG. I need to invent a time machine and give myself time to sew all of the things. My to-sew list keeps getting long and longer.
LOVE IT
I’m brainstorming so many fun ideas!!! I bet if I skipped the boning it’d be a beautiful dance leotard. The bottoms would look super cute as knickers, too, done in lingerie materials
This is exciting. I have made swimwear in the past and never was happy with the outcome. They became UFOs. I'm downloading all the files and then will watch the video. Thanks so much for doing this. 🙂
How exciting thank you xxx
Hi Gertie and team. I have a question. I watched the video and it did not discuss this. But can the piping on the charm scout version of the swimsuit with the ruched bottom, go all the way down? On our badge envelops it shows an image of a swimsuit but the piping extends the entire length of the swimsuit. Also, maybe this will be discussed in the full length video but are you using some sort of stretch lycra piping? I wouldn't think it could be non stretch piping but I don't know. I am very excited about this pattern and the expansion! Thank you so much!
Thank you Abby. I will have to sew in a different order because it looks like you construct the entire panty first then attach it to the bodice part. You know what I mean? So I am not sure if that will mess up the panty part of the swimsuit. Guess I will just have to try it out. :)
It's soo beautiful!! Can't wait to make it :D
Amazing Gertie, Melisha, Naty on the design and all the other models. Y’all look absolutely amazing
Hello. Having the page number in red too, and do not have a sidebar to remove, as this is not available on free version... Help please😢
The side bar is available in the free version. It's probably just collapsed. Look for a little arrow on the left hand side and click it to open up the sidebar.
I love these bottoms so much! This is exactly something I've been looking for!
I need to order some swim fabric right now... but I want to check locally first.... oh decisions, decisions!
Love this...just a friendly head s up...404 error on the flower patch link.
Just fixed :)
Hi Gertie, there is an issue with the tiled pages. They are still numbered in red "Page 1" ect on each one in the middle of each page. Can this be fixed please?
I dont have that issue. Could it be a setting in your pdf reader? Anyone else with the same problem?
I love every single option for this!!!
THIS IS FANTASTIC !! So many options !!!!!
😍😍😍. I can't wait to make this!!! I may do it in slinky fabric for a boudoir shoot...😉
Can't wait to make the swimsuit! Thanks!
“One of them” 👀
Super cute!! 😍