What’s in the class?
In this invaluable masterclass, we’ll guide you through every step of making the Zahra Swimsuit & Bikini: picking the right fabric and supplies, selecting your size, making a toile and any necessary adjustments, and of course, all the techniques involved in sewing your swimwear from start to finish. We’ll help you troubleshoot any needle/thread/fabric/lining issues. We’ll chat about the types of elastic you can use – if you can’t get your hands on swimwear elastic, we’ve got you covered – and show you different ways to sew it in.
Sewing Level
The Zahra Swimsuit & Bikini pattern is aimed at Intermediate sewists, but with the help of this class, we believe Confident Beginners looking for a challenge can tackle this project.
Fabric Suggestions
Light to medium weight swimwear fabrics such as 4-way stretch Lycra or polyamide with 50% cross-wise stretch, as well as swimwear lining (ideally 100% nylon). You will also need 8mm
wide rubber swimwear elastic. If you want to add elastic into the waistbands, you’ll need 12mm swimwear elastic. You will need a set of 20mm plastic/coated metal strap adjusters (bare
metal may rust in chlorine) if making version 1.
Sizing & Fabric Requirements
The Zahra Swimsuit & Bikini pattern comes in our full range of sizes UK 6-30 and is split into two different blocks: sizes 6-20 are drafted for a B cup, sizes 18-30 are drafted for a D cup. Refer to the size charts for details on fabric requirements. Like all our patterns, the sizes are nested to make it easier to grade between the sizes, depending on your measurements.
What will I receive?
The downloadable pattern file contains:
* printable pattern (in both tiled print-at-home and copyshop format) in all sizes
* fully-illustrated printable instruction booklet
* copyshop permission letter
The Zahra Bikini sewing pattern is either 40 A4/US letter pages or 2 A0 copyshop pages (sizes 6-20), or 45 A4/US letter pages, or 3 A0 copyshop pages (size 18-30).
The Zahra Swimsuit sewing pattern is either 37 A4 pages, 40 US letter pages or 3 A0 copyshop pages (sizes 6-20), or 52 A4 pages, 54 US letter pages, or 3 A0 copyshop pages (size 18-30).
So what is a PDF pattern?
A PDF pattern is a downloadable pattern that you print yourself at home on A4 or US letter paper. Alternatively you can choose to have the copyshop files printed on large A0 paper, and posted to you at home. If you’re using the A4 or US letter options, simply download, print at home, tape together and let the sewing begin! When you print the pattern, print at 100% (you might have to uncheck the scale box). Print page 1 first, the square should measure 10cm x 10cm.
Never used a PDF pattern before and would like some help? Learn everything you need to know in our handy Guide to Assembling PDF Patterns over on our blog!
Layered PDF pattern
The Zahra Bikini & Swimsuit pattern PDF files are layered, meaning you can choose to print only the size(s) you need when printing at home. Find out more here.
