How to Sew Matching Family Swimwear for Summer

Jul 8, 2025 Fabric Team beginner sewing

All News 0

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

Best Athletic Wear Patterns to Sew This Fall: Stay Stylish & Comfortable

Article published at: August 27, 2025
Article author: Fabric Team
Article tag: DIY Activewear
Article comments count: 0

Best Athletic Wear Patterns to Sew This Fall: Stay Stylish & Comfortable

Athletic Wear Patterns to Sew This Fall: Stay Stylish & Comfortable As the leaves begin to change and temperatures drop, it’s the perfect time to refresh your workout wardrobe with cozy, functional, and fashionable pieces. Whether you're running errands or hitting the gym, handmade activewear is a great way to stay on-trend while crafting pieces tailored to your body and lifestyle. Here are some top athletic wear patterns to sew this fall—from buttery-soft leggings to cozy hoodies, these patterns balance performance, comfort, and fall fashion. 1. High-Waisted Leggings with Side Pockets A fall essential for any athletic wardrobe. Choose a pattern with a contoured waistband, gusset for mobility, and side pockets for convenience. Best Fabric: Athletic Solids are easy to match. We suggest Bordeaux - a rich, wine hue that’s perfect for fall. Recommended Patterns: Greenstyle Creations – Super G TightsIncludes multiple lengths, deep side pockets, and a contoured fit. Jalie Patterns – Clara LeggingsBeginner-friendly with a sleek look and no front seam. 2. Raglan Sleeve Performance Hoodie This transitional layering piece is perfect for cool morning workouts or lounging post-gym. Raglan sleeves provide range of motion and a sporty silhouette with optional hood and thumbholes. Best Fabric: French Terry, Fleece, or Athletic Woven (bonus-these are water resistant). Recommended Patterns Hey June Handmade – Halifax HoodieIncludes 5 variations: zip-up, pullover, cowl neck, and more. 3. Athleisure Joggers with Cuffed Ankles A must-have for your fall fitness wardrobe. Slim-fit joggers are ideal for both active and casual wear. Best Fabric: Athletic Solids, Bamboo Ribbed Knit or Bamboo French Terry Recommended Pattern: True Bias – Hudson PantsModern silhouette with both men’s and women’s versions available. 4. Built-in Bra Workout Tank Great for layering or wearing solo in heated studios. Choose a pattern with an integrated shelf bra and racerback for support. Best Fabric: Athletic Solids or Prints, Power Mesh and Perforated Mesh -for extra support, visual interest and ventilation. Recommended Pattern: 5oo4 Patterns – Agility Tank and DressA great multi-option pattern: sports bra with tank overlay, a dress or even a swim suit. 5. Long-Sleeve Base Layer Top Perfect for layering under jackets or wearing on its own for outdoor hikes. Best Fabric: Lightweight jerseys in Merino, Cotton or Bamboo blends. Recommended Pattern: Greenstyle Patterns – Green Tee Bonus Sewing Tips for Fall Activewear: Use ballpoint or stretch needles to avoid skipped stitches. Flatlock seams or serging reduce friction during movement. Add reflective tape for early morning or evening runs. Final Thoughts: Fall is the perfect season to combine function and fashion in your workout wear. Whether you're sewing for yourself or your online store, these athletic wear patterns offer comfort, performance, and seasonal style that your body (and your customers!) will thank you for. Start stitching now, and stay ahead of the fall fitness fashion curve!

Learn More

Lightweight Sweater Knits: The Perfect Fabric for Summer-to-Fall Layering

Article published at: August 21, 2025
Article author: Fabric Team
Article tag: deadstock fabric
Article comments count: 0

Lightweight Sweater Knits: The Perfect Fabric for Summer-to-Fall Layering

As we move from late summer into early fall, it’s all about the layers. And there’s no better fabric for transitional dressing than lightweight sweater knits. This week’s deadstock drop includes a curated range of soft, breathable sweater knits in unique textures — from bold stripes to subtle sparkles. They're light enough for warm afternoons, but cozy enough for crisp mornings and cool evenings. Why We Love Lightweight Sweater Knits: Breathable but cozy — ideal for layering without overheating Soft drape — adds elegance and movement to simple silhouettes Stretch & comfort — easy to wear, easy to sew Sustainable — made from rescued deadstock fabric = no new waste Whether you're sewing for now or prepping for fall, these fabrics are seasonless staples. Sewing Pattern Suggestions Not sure where to start? Here are a few beginner-to-intermediate sewing patterns that pair perfectly with lightweight sweater knits: 🧵 1. The Marlo Sweater by True Bias Boxy, cropped or long — great for layering over dresses or tanks. 🧵 2. The Jarrah Sweater by Megan Nielsen A modern, relaxed sweater with multiple views — perfect for showcasing stripes or sparkles. 🧵 3. The Elliot Sweater by Helen’s Closet Comfy and casual, with a slight funnel neck — great for transitional weather. 🧵 4. The Jackson Tee by Friday Pattern Co. A gender-neutral knit tee that works beautifully with drapey sweater knits for an elevated basic. Final Thoughts: Deadstock drops mean once it’s gone, it’s gone. These lightweight sweater knits won’t last long — especially with their limited quantities and irresistible textures. Grab your fabric and pattern, and start stitching your perfect layering piece for the season ahead. Shop DEADSTOCK Shop ALL SWEATER KNITS

Learn More

Our New Swim Kits Are Here to Make a Splash (And Avoid Awkward Print Placement)

Article published at: August 19, 2025
Article author: Fabric Team
Article tag: DIY swimwear
Article comments count: 0

Our New Swim Kits Are Here to Make a Splash (And Avoid Awkward Print Placement)

Calling all makers, swimsuit stitchers, and print lovers! You asked, we splashed (okay, dashed) to make it happen — introducing our brand-new Full Metre Swim Kits, designed to take the stress out of swimsuit sewing and let those big, bold prints shine like they were born to. Think of it as your swimsuit-making BFF in a bag. What's Inside the Kit? Glad you asked. Each kit includes: ✅ 1m of Swim Print – perfect for large-scale prints (so no flowers where flowers shouldn’t be 👀)✅ 1m of Swim Lining – soft, supportive, and ready for action✅ Rubber Swim Elastic – the good stuff that holds everything in place✅ Matching Gütermann Thread – because clashing thread is a crime✅ EXCLUSIVE Sew-In Label – a little luxe detail to say, “Yes, I made this” The only thing not in the kit? The pattern. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with recommendations. Like the Poppy Swimsuit from Edgewater Ave — it’s the one we used here... We’re kicking off this collection with two absolute stunners: Casa Blanca Leaf It To Me Why These Kits Are a Game-Changer Let’s talk print placement. We've all been there—finishing a gorgeous suit only to realize the tropical bloom has bloomed in a very awkward place. 😅 These kits make it easier to plan your cuts with a generous 1m print cut and pro pattern suggestions to help you avoid the dreaded placement mishap. 👉 Want to dig deeper into why print placement matters (and how to get it right)? Check out our blog post about it – trust us, it’s worth the read! For Makers, By Makers We designed these kits because we’re sewists too. We know the joy of nailing that last stitch, flipping a suit right side out, and saying “I MADE THIS.” We also know the struggle of hunting down matching thread, remembering to buy elastic, or realizing you forgot the lining. This kit? It’s got your back (literally). Ready to Make a Splash? Our swim kits are limited-run, curated for print lovers, and made to help you create a truly wearable work of art. Whether you’re diving into your first suit or are a seasoned swim-sewist, this kit’s for you. 👉 Shop all Swim Kits 👉 Learn More About Print Placement So, what do you think? Are you ready to take the plunge with us?

Learn More