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When you're sewing swimwear, the fabric everyone sees usually gets all the attention. That's fair. A beautiful swim print or a perfectly chosen solid colour can be the thing that makes you finally cut into that swimsuit pattern you've been saving. But the inside of your swimwear matters too. Sometimes even more than you expect.
That's where swimwear lining and power mesh come in.
At first glance, they can seem like they're both doing the same job. They have similar qualities: they are both stretchy, they both sit inside a garment, they both appear in swimwear, activewear, dancewear, and fitted handmade pieces. But they're not quite interchangeable.
Swimwear lining is there for softness, coverage, and a clean finish. Power mesh, sometimes called performance mesh, is there for support, stability, and a little more hold. Neither one is "better"; they're just different tools, and once you understand what each does, choosing between them gets a lot less guesswork-y.
Swimwear lining is a soft, lightweight stretch fabric designed to sit against the skin inside swimsuits, bikini tops, bikini bottoms, rashies, and other swim projects.
Its main job is to make your swimwear feel more comfortable and more finished. It adds coverage, protects against sheerness when your swim fabric stretches or gets wet, and gives the inside of your garment that neat, ready-to-wear feel. If you've ever held a swim fabric up to the light and thought, "Hmm, is this going to be okay once it's stretched?", that's your cue to think about lining.
It's especially useful with lighter colours, white-based prints, and fitted styles where the fabric is under tension. A print might look perfectly opaque on the cutting table, then behave differently once it's stretched over the body. That's not you doing anything wrong. That's just fabric being fabric.
At Fabric + Flow, we carry swimwear lining in a range of colours, so it doesn't always have to be plain beige or white. You can match your outer swim fabric for a clean finish, choose a darker lining for extra coverage, or pick a colour that feels fun and intentional if there's a chance it might peek through. It's one of those small choices that makes a handmade garment feel thoughtfully made.
Read our “What to Sew First: A Beginner’s Guide to Swim Kits (and What to Expect)” before you start your next project.
Use swimwear lining when you want a soft, comfortable inner layer. It's a great choice for fully lining swimsuits, bikini bottoms, bikini tops, children's swimwear, and lighter-coloured swim fabrics.
You'll usually use it as a second layer behind your main swim fabric. Depending on the pattern, you may baste the lining to the main pieces and treat them as one, or sew it separately so some seams are enclosed.
If you're newer to swimwear sewing, lining can feel like an extra step. It is, but it pays you back every time you wear the garment. It can make the difference between "I made this, but I'm not sure I'll wear it" and "I made this, and I feel good in it." That's a pretty excellent sewing win.
Power mesh, also known as performance mesh, is a stretchy mesh fabric with more structure and recovery than regular lining. It's used when you want support, shaping, or gentle compression, and you'll see it in swimwear, activewear, dancewear, lingerie, shapewear, and other fitted garments that need help holding their shape.
Power mesh can look quite delicate because of its open mesh structure, but don't let that fool you. It's a hardworking fabric. In swimwear, it's often used in areas like the front bodice, tummy panel, bust area, side panels, or waistbands, helping the garment feel more secure without adding bulky internal layers.
The first time you sew with power mesh, it can feel a bit confusing. It's light but firm. Stretchy but supportive. Sheer, but still surprisingly strong. Then you place it inside a swimsuit, and suddenly it makes sense. It gives the garment a little more backbone.
Our power mesh also comes in a range of colours. You might choose a shade close to your outer fabric so everything blends neatly, or use a contrast colour in a dancewear or activewear piece where the mesh becomes part of the design.
Use power mesh when you want your garment to feel more supportive: through the front of a one-piece, behind the bust area, inside a waistband, or in activewear panels that need more control.
It's especially useful when the outer fabric is very stretchy, or the pattern needs more structure. It can help stop waistbands from rolling, give bust areas more support, or make the front of a swimsuit feel smoother and more secure.
You don't usually need to use power mesh everywhere. Often, it works best in targeted areas. You might line an entire swimsuit with swimwear lining, then add power mesh just to the front panel, so the swimsuit still feels soft against your skin while getting extra support where you want it. That's one of the joys of sewing your own swimwear: you can make choices based on your body, your comfort, and how you want the garment to feel.
Swimwear lining is for comfort and coverage. Power mesh is for support and stability.
Swim lining makes the inside feel smooth and comfortable, and helps stop your swimwear from feeling thin or revealing, especially when wet. Power mesh helps the garment hold the body a little more firmly. It can reduce stretch in specific areas, add light compression, and help a swimsuit or activewear piece feel more secure.
So if you're making a classic bikini bottom, swimwear lining may be all you need. If you're making a one-piece and want extra support through the front, power mesh might be the better choice for that section. And yes, you can absolutely use both. In fact, using both is often the sweet spot.
Sometimes, but it depends on what you need the fabric to do.
Power mesh can work as a supportive lining in certain areas, but it doesn't always replace swimwear lining perfectly. It can feel firmer against the skin, and because of its mesh structure, it may be more sheer than you expect. If your goal is full coverage and a soft inner finish, swimwear lining is usually the better option.
Swimwear lining, going the other way, doesn't have the same firmness or recovery as power mesh. Swapping it in where a pattern calls for power mesh will likely make the garment feel softer and less structured, which is fine for some projects, but for bust support, tummy panels, firm waistbands, or activewear that needs to stay put, power mesh is usually worth using.
Stretch the fabric in your hands, hold it against your outer fabric, and check how it looks pulled over a hand. That quick test can save a lot of unpicking later, and we're always in favour of less unpicking.
Because both fabrics come in different colours, it's worth thinking about colour before you cut. For pale swim fabrics, a nude, white, cream, or matching light lining keeps the outer colour looking clean. For darker fabrics, black or deeper-toned lining feels seamless and secure.
With power mesh, colour can be practical or decorative: hidden and subtle in swimwear, or part of the design in dancewear and activewear. A simple rule: if the lining or mesh might show, make it look intentional rather than discovering it mid-sew when the inside layer peeks out at the neckline.
Both fabrics are stretchy, so they appreciate a gentle approach. Use a stretch or ballpoint needle, and choose a stitch that can move with the fabric, such as a narrow zigzag or stretch stitch. A serger helps if you have one, but a regular sewing machine works fine too.
Read our “There’s a Notion For That: Stretch Needles” article to become a needle expert.
Using fabric clips instead of pins for both swimwear lining and power mesh is recommended since these fabrics can shift and snag. If you do use pins, keep them within the seam allowance. Try not to pull the fabric as you sew; let the machine feed it through, or your lovely smooth edge can turn into a lettuce leaf. Charming on a salad, less charming on a swimsuit leg opening.
A test seam on scraps is always worth it, so you can check your stitch, tension, and how the layers behave together before you sew the real thing.
Not sure when to use pins or clips? Read our “Pins vs Clips: Which Should You Use for Sewing?” guide.
No, power mesh and swimwear lining are not the same fabric. Swimwear lining is used for softness, coverage, and a clean finish inside your swimsuit. Power mesh, sometimes called performance mesh, is used when you want extra support, shaping, or stability in certain areas of the garment.
In most cases, yes. Lining your swimsuit helps the finished garment feel more comfortable, gives extra coverage, and helps prevent your swim fabric from becoming sheer when stretched or wet. It’s especially helpful for lighter colours, white-based prints, bikini bottoms, and fitted one-piece swimsuits.
Use power mesh when you want more support or gentle compression. It’s often added to the front of a one-piece swimsuit, behind the bust, through tummy panels, or inside waistbands. You don’t usually need power mesh through the whole swimsuit; targeted areas are often enough.
You can use swimwear lining instead of power mesh if you don’t need much support, but the finished garment will feel softer and less structured. If your pattern calls for power mesh in a bust, tummy, or waistband area, using swimwear lining instead may change how supportive the swimsuit feels.
Sometimes, but it depends on the project. Power mesh can work as a supportive inner layer, but it may feel firmer against the skin and can be more sheer than swimwear lining. If your main goal is comfort and coverage, swimwear lining is usually the better choice.
Yes, and this is often a great option. You can use swimwear lining against the skin for comfort, then add power mesh only where the swimsuit needs more support, such as the front bodice, bust area, or tummy panel. It’s a lovely way to get both softness and structure without making the whole garment feel too firm.
Choose a lining colour based on your outer swim fabric. For pale or white-based swim fabrics, a nude, white, cream, or matching light lining can help keep the colour looking clean. For darker swim fabrics, black or deeper-toned lining usually feels more seamless. If the lining might show, choose a colour that looks intentional.
No. Power mesh is also used in activewear, dancewear, lingerie, shapewear, and other fitted garments. It’s useful anywhere you want stretch, support, and recovery without adding bulky layers.
Yes. Swimwear lining is beginner-friendly, especially if your pattern explains how to attach it. It can feel like an extra step at first, but it often makes your finished swimsuit feel more comfortable and polished. Start slowly, use clips, test your stitches on scraps, and try not to stretch the fabric as you sew.
For your first swimsuit, you’ll usually need swim fabric, swimwear lining, swim elastic, a suitable stretch needle, and a swimsuit pattern. An all-in-one Swim Kit can make the process easier because it brings together curated swim fabrics and essential notions, so you’re not trying to guess every piece separately before you even start sewing.
Choose swimwear lining for softness, coverage, and a clean finish. Choose power mesh for support, shaping, and extra stability. Choose both when you want comfort and support in the same garment, with lining sitting against the skin and power mesh added only where the garment needs more hold.
Sewing swimwear can feel intimidating at first, but choosing the right internal fabric makes the process much easier. Once you understand what each fabric is doing, you can make decisions that suit your pattern, your body, and how you want the finished piece to feel.
You're not just making something that fits. You're making something that supports you in the right places and has those thoughtful little details only you know are there.
Ready to choose your fabrics? Browse the Fabric + Flow full range of swimwear lining and power mesh, or make things even easier with one of our all-in-one Swim Kits, which include curated swim fabrics and essential notions for sewing a bikini or a one-piece from start to finish. Remember to also choose a pattern; the Flow Swimsuit Pattern is a beautiful modern one-piece you’ll come back to season after season, while the Ease Two-Piece Swimsuit Pattern is perfect for an uncomplicated, flattering suit you’ll reach for again and again.
And if you're not sure what you need, drop us a message. We're always happy to help you plan a swimsuit that feels as good as it looks.
