Creating your own swimwear is an exciting project, but choosing the right fabric is key to getting a comfortable, stylish, and long-lasting swimsuit. Whether you’re sewing a bikini, one-piece, or rash guard, the fabric you choose will determine how well it fits, stretches, and holds up to all your activities. What to Look for in Swimwear Fabric Swimwear fabrics need to be: Stretchy: Look for at least 50% four-way stretch to ensure a snug, comfortable fit. Quick-drying: Fabrics that hold moisture will feel heavy and uncomfortable. Durable: Strong fibres prevent sagging and wear.  Top Fabrics for Swimwear Nylon Spandex (Polyamide Spandex) If you’re looking for a classic, go-to swim fabric, this is it! Nylon spandex is soft, stretchy, and fits like a dream. It moves with your body and gives that smooth, second-skin feel—perfect for bikinis, one-pieces, and even swim leggings.   Pros: Soft, lightweight, and dries quickly Cons: Slightly less chlorine-resistant than polyester blends Best for: Bikinis, one-pieces, swim leggings Our Pick? Swim Basic Solid | Dewy Blue Content: 80% Nylon | 20% Spandex Width: 150 cm | 60” Weight: 200 gsm | 7 oz Stretch: 4-way | 80-90% cross-grain and straight-grain Polyester Spandex  If you’re planning to swim a lot—as in, lap after lap in the pool or back-to-back beach days—this is the fabric you need. Polyester spandex holds up like a champ against chlorine and UV rays, meaning your swimsuit will stay vibrant and stretchy for the long haul. What we’d grab? Swim Print | Porcelain Rhapsody. This print has such a soft romantic vibe and just the right amount of stretch to keep things comfy.  Why you’ll love it: Long-lasting, fade-proof, and feels great against the skin. Keep in mind: It’s not as silky-soft as nylon, but it makes up for it with durability. Textured Swim Fabrics Want to take your DIY swimwear to the next level? Textured fabrics are where it’s at. Whether it’s ribbed, waffled, or jacquard, these fabrics add a unique, high-end look to your swimsuit. What we’re obsessed with? Swim Basic Rib | Marine. Navy is a timeless, elegant color that never goes out of style.   Why you’ll love it: Looks stylish, fits like a glove, and makes your DIY swimsuit feel designer-level. Pro tip:  Ribbed swim fabric provides amazing compression by hugging the body with its structured texture, creating a flattering and supportive fit. Don’t Forget the Lining!  No one wants a see-through swimsuit, right? For a pro finish, always add a good lining. It keeps things secure, adds comfort, and makes sure your swimsuit lasts!  What we’d use? Swim Lining | Nude . It’s lightweight and stretchy enough to move with you. Why you’ll love it: Gives your swimsuit that polished, high-quality feel. Pro tip: Use Power Mesh if you're looking for tummy control in a one-piece! Where to Buy High-Quality Swimwear Fabrics At Fabric + Flow, we offer a curated selection of high-performance swimwear fabrics designed for DIY creators. Whether you’re making a classic one-piece or an on-trend bikini, our fabrics are handpicked to provide the best fit, durability, and style. Explore our Swimwear Fabric Collection or check out our Swimwear Sewing Kits for everything you need in one place!  

✨ January is the month of new beginnings, fresh goals, and exciting resolutions! ✨ It's the perfect time to set your sights on what you want to achieve, and we’re here to cheer you on every step of the way! Let's crush those goals together this month and kick start it off with an Athleisure Wear Sewing Challenge! 🧵👚 Here’s the game plan: 🔸 The Goal: Rival your favorite athletic or athleisure wear brands (yes, the ones you absolutely live in) and make YOUR OWN epic set using your choice of patterns and fabrics! Bonus points if you use F+F fabrics (hey, it’s our challenge, right? 😉)!  🔸 The Rules: You have the ENTIRE month of January to complete your masterpiece! Yes, the whole month to flex your sewing skills, get creative, and maybe even learn something new along the way! 🔸 What You’ll Need: Your favorite athleisure pieces to inspire you (whether it’s those comfy leggings or snazzy hoodies!). Snap a photo or take a screenshot. A killer pattern (get ready to customize it to make it your own). If you need help, ask your sewing community. Greenstyle has graciously offered a 15% discount off patterns with code GSFF558120023 Fabrics galore! Stretchy, comfy, stylish—pick the best fabric that’ll help you move and groove in style. Even better, dig into that stash of fabric, or treat yourself to something new. Encourage a friend to join. The more the merrier. Did we mention there are prizes?! Tag and Share! Take us along your journey. Share your progress. We want to know your what inspiration was, the patterns and fabrics you used and end epic results. Be sure you tag us and use the hashtag #FFSewFitJan 🔸 Prizes: $75 Gift Card to Fabric + Flow $40 Gift Card to Greenstyle Patterns 5 Pattern Prizes to Styla Patterns 🔸 To Enter: To make sure we see your Epic Fits and track who has participated, we'd love it if you could send us a photo - via message on Facebook or Instagram, or to our email workroom@fabricandflow.com - and if you're feeling extra: your inspo and patterns you used. Photos need to be submitted by Feb 3. Winners will be drawn Feb 6. Let’s make this January all about that perfect combo of fashion, comfort, and creativity. You’ve got this! Sew much fun ahead! 😍💖 Ready, set, SEW! 🧵✨

If you've been following along with us, you'll see we have released some absolutely AMAZING new coatings in various weights and textures. Our influencers have been knocking their creations out of the park.  HELLO sewing goals!! Maybe you're like me and think "Hmm, I’d love to try making a coat". But are feeling apprehensive because it's uncharted territory. No matter your reasons, we're here to help you pave the way to success. Shoot, even I want to conquer my fears and stitch up a jacket. And if I, a self-proclaimed adversary of zippers, ironing, and practically all tasks tied to tailoring woven fabrics (knits hold my sewing heart), am willing to give it a whirl, then so can you! Perks of sewing your own coat: Customization Choosing the fabric, color, and style you love allows you to create a jacket that truly represents your unique taste and personality.​ Perfect Fit Sewing your own jacket allows you to tailor it to your exact measurements, resulting in a fit that’s often more comfortable than off-the-rack options. Why are the arms always so tight?? I can’t be the only one! Skill Development Sewing is not just about stitching fabric together; it's a journey of skill-building that amps up your crafting game. It's like leveling up in real life, where each stitch is a step towards becoming a crafting ninja. You'll pick up nifty tricks that you can whip out for your next creative adventure! Cost-Effectiveness Crafting your own jacket may involve an initial investment in materials, but it can prove to be cost-effective in the long run, especially when you choose premium fabrics. The personal attention and care you put into making it ensures a durable and long-lasting piece. Contributing to a more sustainable fashion practice compared to mass-produced garments. You might be thinking, Okay now what? Well now the fun begins. Step 1 Really you could start one of two ways here. Either by knowing what fabric is calling your name or what pattern you’d like to use. Both are great inspiration starting points. For the sake of this, lets start with the fabric. Decide which one has to be part of your wardrobe. Also get personal with your fabric. Know its content, width and its structure. How does it move or stretch. This will be helpful in choosing your pattern. Keep in mind, the amount of fabric you need will vary depending on the style of coat you want. So both steps really go hand in hand. Step 2 Select your pattern. I know this isn’t always easy. When you look at your fabric, can you envision it finished? How do you want it to look? Do you have an inspo photo?  Utilize the sewing community if you’re stuck. Share your inspo/fabric pics and ask them for suggestions. Guaranteed someone out there can direct you to what you’re looking for. We have a wonderful group of sewists in our Fabric + Flow Collective page on Facebook There are so many amazing pattern companies out there, your choices are endless. I have found many pattern companies also include video tutorials within their instructions.  This is a tremendous help. Step 3 The fun continues... You’ve picked your pattern and got it ready in your size. Like all patterns, you will need your measurements. Gathered all necessary notions and prepped your fabric. And away you go! But wait, you’re still not feeling confident. You want more support. Did you know that some pattern companies also offer detailed courses? You can use these to your advantage. They will guide and support you through the coat making process. From start to finish, you will have one on one video help. You’ll gain all sorts of knowledge, like pattern adjustments and sewing techniques. Here are two I have found: Love Notions Octave Coat Course - Love Notions Sewing Patterns (can add on the pattern). We've partnered up with Love Notions for the month of November to help you make an amazing coat, whether its your first or you tenth. You can save 20% off any off their Outerwear Patterns. (Not valid on sale items) Closet Core Coatmaking 101 | How to Sew Coats | Online Sewing Class – Closet Core Patterns  Happy Sewing friends, you’ve got this. If you decide to embark on the coat making journey, I hope you’ll tag us and show us the finished project. Allison Coating Collection: Coatings – Fabric + Flow Textile Co.