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

Bamboo fabric is having a moment, and we’re so here for it. With its dreamy softness, breathability, and low-impact footprint, it’s no wonder bamboo has become a favourite for sewists who love comfort with a conscience. We’ve picked three of our current must-have bamboo fabrics from Fabric + Flow—each one perfect for everything from loungewear to layering pieces. Plus, we’ve got quick care tips to help your handmade pieces last longer (because, yes, bamboo deserves a little extra love ). French Terry Bamboo – Yellow Shop It Here   Cozy, bright, and buttery soft, this bamboo French terry in cheerful yellow is made for sweatshirts, hoodies, and relaxed-fit joggers. It’s lightweight but warm—perfect for layering during transitional seasons or curling up on cooler nights. Care Tip: Wash cold, air dry, and use a stretch stitch for best results. Always press gently with low heat to keep that softness intact. Ribbed Knit Bamboo – Periwinkle Shop It Here This pastel beauty is perfect for tanks, body-hugging tees, or matching sets. The ribbed texture gives structure while keeping all the stretch and softness we love from bamboo. We’re obsessed with the periwinkle hue—it’s soft, wearable, and totally on-trend. Care Tip: Pre-wash before cutting to reduce shrinkage. Sew with a ballpoint needle and stretch stitch for a smooth finish. Ribbed Knit Bamboo – Latte Brown Shop It Here Neutral lovers, this one’s for you. This latte-toned interlock knit is a versatile go-to for layering tops, sleek dresses, or luxe loungewear sets. It’s flattering, flexible, and gives your handmade wardrobe that elevated, earthy vibe. Care Tip: Stick to cool water washes and avoid high heat. For sewing, we recommend a walking foot and a stretch-friendly needle. Sewing with Bamboo: Simple Care = Long-Lasting Love If you caught our Bamboo Care 101 newsletter, you already know the basics: cold washing, gentle handling, and low-heat ironing are your bamboo BFFs. But since bamboo deserves the best, we’ve put together a full care guide to help your creations last longer, wear better, and stay ultra-soft. Here’s a quick recap of essential care tips to keep your bamboo fabric looking and feeling amazing: Pre-wash in cold water to prevent shrinking and soften the fabric Use gentle detergents that won’t strip bamboo’s natural softness Avoid bleach and fabric softeners, which can damage fibres Wash on a gentle cycle or hand wash to preserve fabric integrity Dry flat or tumble dry low to prevent warping or damage Iron on low heat if needed, preferably inside out Following these simple steps will make sure your bamboo pieces stay cozy, breathable, and beautiful through every wear and wash. Need Some Sewing Inspo? Here are three pattern ideas you can use to create stylish pieces with these fabrics: French Terry Bamboo – Yellow: Make a cozy cropped sweatshirt or relaxed hoodie—perfect for casual wear with a bright, sunny vibe. Periwinkle Ribbed Bamboo: Sew a fitted ribbed turtleneck or a sleek long-sleeve top that hugs comfortably and adds a touch of elegance. Latte Brown Ribbed Bamboo: Create lounge shorts for comfort or a minimalist midi dress that’s breathable and effortlessly chic. We’d love to see what you make! Tag us on Instagram or Pinterest and show off your bamboo creations. Your projects inspire the entire Fabric + Flow community. 💫