Swimming season is here and we have a new swimsuit in our collection this summer, meet Sunstar! Sunstar is a really fun and versatile design that is comfortable AND stylish. This suit is not just for lounging, Sunstar can swim and play with the best of them. I’m a big fan of summer water activities and beaching so I have put this one to the test. Let’s take a closer look at Sunstar!
Grab Sunstar on sale this week for 25% off! No code required.
Description
Sunstar is a fun faux-wrap style swimsuit. Make a one piece (view A) or a two piece (view B) with this pattern. The top features a crossover front that offers good coverage and thin shoulder straps that are reinforced with elastic.
The bottoms are high cut on the sides and have a ‘cheeky’ cut in the back. The wrap front, top back, and leg openings are finished with swim elastic. The top and bottoms of the two piece are finished with fabric bands.
Sunstar is a great swimsuit for poolside lounging but it also works well for beach activities! Swimming, playing in the waves, or even beach sports. Sunstar is sure to be your new favourite suit!
Fabric Requirements
Swimwear stretch knits with at least 50% stretch horizontally and vertically (see stretch chart on page 3 of the instructions). Look for nylon or polyester knits with high spandex content. You may want to look for chlorine resistant fabrics for swimming pools and/or fabrics with a UPF rating over 30 for sun safety.
Swimwear lining provides extra comfort and coverage in your swimwear. It is optional but recommended. Look for stretchy nylon or polyester fabric specifically labeled as swimwear or swimsuit lining. You can also line Sunstar in lightweight power net or firm power mesh for more support. We've got a full blog post all about choosing swim fabric here!
We like sourcing swim fabrics and lining from:
Swim elastic is also required. You can use rubber or braided cotton/rubber. Check out these options:
Sewing Swimwear
I LOVE to swim and go to the beach or pool, so sewing swimwear has always been something I enjoy. I find it really fun and satisfying for several reasons:
- It’s pretty quick to sew. Swimwear doesn’t take long to put together, and the pieces are nice and small. Also, no ironing required!
- It’s cheaper than RTW. Swimwear is expensive! This is one of the only garments you can actually save money by making yourself.
- It FITS. We’ve all been there, in the swimsuit store trying one 50 suits only to leave with one that is just “OK”. You can get a great, custom fit with sewing your own swimwear.
If you have never sewn swimwear or applied elastic to a leg opening (like on undies, for example), there is a learning curve. It’s not too hard but it can feel fiddly. Swimwear fabrics are slippery so they require some extra patience. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll be sewing up a storm! As usual, we've got lots of helpful info in our instructions, and you can also check out this blog post for some of our favourite swimwear sewing tips.
I hope you give Sunstar a try this summer! This design feels great, let me tell you. I love the coverage on the bust and the shoulder straps (no halter top here!). The stable back band and the juuuust cheeky enough high bottoms. It’s pretty much a dream swimsuit!
Grab Sunstar on sale this week for 25% off! No code required.
