How to Create Matching Family Swimwear: Your Guide to DIY Summer Style There’s nothing more fun (or photogenic) than a family in matching swimwear. Whether you're planning a beach vacation, poolside weekend, or just love coordinating your makes, sewing your own matching family swimsuits is the perfect way to combine creativity, comfort, and style. At Fabric + Flow, we make it easy with coordinating swim fabrics and boardshort fabric options, so you can create custom swimwear for everyone — from the littlest swimmers to the grown-ups. Why Sew Matching Family Swimwear? Besides the obvious cuteness factor, sewing your own swimwear lets you:✔ Choose high-quality materials✔ Customize fit and support✔ Express your style as a family✔ Avoid mass-produced sizing headaches Whether you're going for playful and bold, or sleek and minimal, creating matching swimsuits for the whole family is easier than you think — especially with the right supplies and patterns. What You’ll Need To make matching family swimwear, you’ll need: Swim fabric: Choose from our bold prints like Groovy Lavender or Great Barrier Reef Boardshort fabric: Ideal for kids’ and men’s trunks Swim lining: For comfort and coverage Rubber elastic: 8mm or 19mm, depending on the pattern Thread & notions: Matching Gütermann thread, foam cups or power mesh if needed You can shop all of these individually in our Swim Collection — or do yourself a favour and grab one of our Kits. We make it easy to create your own swimwear with our curated Swim Kits and Boardshort Kits — designed to give you everything you need in one go. Our Swim Kits include high-quality swim fabric, swim lining, rubber elastic, matching Gütermann thread, and a sew-in label. Our Boardshort Kits come in two sizes and include boardshort fabric, soft mesh lining, knit and rubber elastics, thread, drawstring, interfacing, grommets, and a sew-in label — all the essentials to make professional-quality trunks. All you have to do is bring the patterns. We’ve taken care of the rest. Pattern Ideas for Matching Family Swimwear Looking for patterns that work across sizes and ages? Here are some of our favourite family swimwear sewing patterns: 🩱 Adults + Kids One-Piece or Bikini Cottesloe Swimsuit – Megan Nielsen(Available in adult and kids sizes. Classic lines, great for all body types.) Mairin Swimsuit – Sew a Little Seam(Kids and adult options, perfect for sporty styles.) Petite Stichery – Wide range of swim styles for all ages 🩳 Boardshorts for All Ages Malia Shorts – 5 out of 4 (women), they also have a Family Bundle of more standard Boardshort style Jalie 2678 – Men’s and boys’ boardshorts Pair any of our Groovy Swim Prints for the suit with the matching Groovy Boardshort fabric for the trunks and you're set for picture-perfect coordination. FYI - we offer our Groovy print in FOUR colours! Tips for Success Pre-wash your fabrics to prevent surprises Use a stretch needle and a stretch stitch or serger Test your elastic tension before sewing final seams Mix and match prints within a colourway for a playful but cohesive look Ready to Sew? Our swim kits are designed to make matching easier than ever — and with coordinating boardshort fabrics, creating matching family swimwear is just a few stitches away. Create summer memories in handmade style. ➡️ Shop Swim Kits Now  

Linen, But Make It Swim: The Best Linen Fabrics for Creative Swim Cover-Ups Linen and swimwear? Trust us—it’s a match made in beachwear heaven.While linen may not be the first fabric you reach for when sewing something seaside, it’s time to rethink your cover-up game. Lightweight, breathable, and effortlessly stylish, linen is the perfect canvas for those dreamy in-between-beach looks. This summer, we’re spotlighting our solid linens and the stunning Noir Botanica print—because your swimwear deserves something beautiful to slip into. So let’s break it down: what makes linen so perfect for the poolside (and beyond), and how do you turn it into your next favourite statement cover-up? Why Linen Deserves a Spot in Your Summer Sewing Stash Here’s the thing about linen: it’s effortlessly chic and built for warm weather. Whether you're going from surf to sangria or lounging poolside, linen brings that relaxed elegance that synthetic fabrics just can’t match. 🌀 It’s breathable — perfect for post-swim air flow💦 It dries fast — so you can toss it on after a dip🌿 It’s sustainable — a plant-based fiber with eco appeal🎨 It holds dye beautifully — cue vibrant solids and deep prints And unlike traditional swimsuit materials, linen gives your handmade wardrobe the ability to move beyond the water. Think layering pieces you can wear again and again. Patterns We Love for Linen Cover-Ups When it comes to linen swim cover-ups, the key is to keep the silhouette flowy and the vibe relaxed. We’re currently crushing on: 1. The Kauai by Pattern NicheDreamy, drapey, and ultra-elegant, this robe pattern is perfect for lightweight fabrics. Try it in a rich Plum or Emerald Green linen for a cover-up that doubles as a dinner outfit. 2. The Charlie Caftan by Closet CoreBeachy glam, sorted. Use a light, solid linen (we love Mineral Blue or neutral Sand) for a breezy, modern look. It’s got that “resort in Greece” energy. 3. The Atlas Top by Stitch Witch PatternsThis asymmetrical wrap screams vacation chic. Go bold with Noir Botanica for a statement piece that takes you from towel to terrace.  💡 Pro tip: Want extra flow? Size up and hack your hemline into a maxi length. You’ll thank us later. Linen Pairings: From Swim to Street Don’t stop at the beach! Linen cover-ups work beautifully as transitional layering pieces. Toss your caftan over high-waist jeans for brunch. Pair a linen wrap skirt with your one-piece for a summer-in-the-city outfit. Or match a linen button-down with your swim top for a casual, pulled-together look. And don’t forget: Noir Botanica isn’t just a beach moment—it’s a whole aesthetic. This lush black-and-white print gives serious resort energy and looks amazing paired with swimwear in solid black, olive, or even chartreuse. It's a Perfect match for the Saguaro Set by Friday Pattern Co. Final Thoughts Whether you’re lounging lakeside or plotting a getaway, linen fabrics deserve a spot in your sewing stash. They’re breathable, beautiful, and ready for more than just your average beach cover-up. So go ahead—sew outside the box. Your swimwear deserves something with a little drama (and a lot of breeze). Bonus Tip: Want to match your linen look with your swim project? Our UPF 50+ Swim Solids pair perfectly with our linen solids and prints. Mix + match textures for maximum impact. → Shop Linen Fabrics→ Explore Noir Botanica

Sewn to Fit: The Best Bamboo and Cotton Ribs for Fitted Dresses and Summer Staples If you’ve ever wished your handmade pieces could hug you just right, rib knit is the fabric you’ve been dreaming of. And this season, we’re head over heels for two ribbed stars in our studio: ultra-soft Bamboo Rib Knits and freshly dropped Cotton Rib Knits. These fabrics are more than just comfortable—they’re curve-loving, stretch-happy, and made for your next summer obsession (hint: fitted dresses, dreamy two-piece sets, and perfect tanks that play nice with everything in your wardrobe). So what makes them special—and what should you create first? Let’s dive in! Why Rib Knits Deserve a Spot in Your Summer Stash Whether you’re sewing for comfort, shape, or a little bit of both, ribbed knit fabrics check all the boxes. Here’s why: Bamboo Rib Knit is luxuriously soft, naturally breathable, and sustainable. With fantastic stretch and drape, it’s perfect for slinky silhouettes that still feel wearable in real life—think fitted dresses, soft tanks, or lounge sets that work double time. Cotton Rib Knit offers the same comfort but with a touch more structure and durability. It’s great for casual basics and layering pieces like T-shirts, crop tops, and skirts. Plus, it’s available in a gorgeous lineup of go-with-everything shades. And just like Bamboo Rib:  Both are ideal for fitted garments Both offer that signature ribbed texture What Can You Sew with Bamboo & Cotton Ribs? We thought you’d never ask! If you’re into sewing pieces that move with you, rib knits are your go-to. And when it comes to matching the right fabric with the right pattern, we’ve done the thinking for you. For Bamboo Rib (Fitted Dresses + Lounge Sets): The Nikko Dress by True Bias is a chic sleeveless turtleneck that’s all about silhouette. The Adult Easy Set by Lowland includes two trend-forward pieces: an oversized tee with an uneven hem and fitted shorts, perfectly styled for easy mix-and-match fashion. Pro Tip: Why don’t you use our Bamboo Rib Knit in Soft Mint for this pattern? The fabric’s buttery drape and breathability make it perfect for creating sleek lines without sacrificing comfort—it’s polished, wearable, and your next go-to dress. For Cotton Rib (Tops, Tees + Everyday Sets): The Islington Top by Styla Patterns is classic fitted scoop neck tee. Perfect to dress up or down. The Rio Ringer Tee/Dress by True Bias because who doesn't love a dual look pattern. Pro Tip: Pair it with our Cotton Rib in Sweet Cherries–the stretch is spot-on, and the subtle rib texture gives just enough structure for a clean silhouette that still feels soft and summer-ready. Style Inspo: Fitted, Flowy, or Floral? Want to spice up your sewing queue? Pair solids with a little pattern play: Our Sweet Cherries Cotton Rib adds a fun, vintage feel to any tee Our Floral Cotton Ribs make perfect statement tops or kids wear pieces Mix ribbed solids with printed bottoms, or go full monochrome for a sleek summer capsule Try a two-piece set with a fitted tank and skirt, or layer a ribbed tee under linen overalls. The styling options are endless (and endlessly comfy). Final Thoughts When it comes to sewing summer staples, rib knits give you everything you want—texture, movement, shape, and softness. Reach for the bamboo blend for your next dressy basic or cotton rib for everyday comfort, and turn these rib knits into something special. Bonus Tip: These fabrics also pair beautifully with our Swim Solids or Linen Prints for contrast textures in transitional layering! Ready to rib it up? Your next wear-all-week piece is just a stitch away.