Ingredients for swimwear

Sew your own swimwear – fabrics, accessories & patterns for bikini and swimsuit

Do you want to sew a bikini or swimsuit yourself?

Here you will find everything for high-quality self-sewn swimwear:

  • swim fabrics & swimwear lining
  • swimwear elastic
  • rings and sliders for straps
  • bikini clasps
  • bra cups for swimwear
  • foam for swimwear
  • patterns
  • complete sewing kits

Whether beginner or experienced lingerie sewer – with the right materials, durable and well-fitting swimwear can also be made at home.

Which fabric is suitable for swimwear?

Special swim fabrics made of polyamide and elastane are usually used for bikinis, swimsuits, and tankinis. These fabrics are perfect for self-sewn swimwear because they:

  • dry quickly
  • are elastic and comfortable to wear
  • are resistant to chlorine and saltwater
  • retain their shape even after many swims

Many high-quality swim fabrics also offer a UV protection factor (UPF 50+). This helps protect the skin better from sun exposure — especially important for children's swimwear, sports swimwear, or long beach days.

For more supportive designs, powernet is often used in addition. Especially for large cups, it provides better support and more stability.

Difference between swimwear lining and powernet

Many beginners wonder when sewing swimwear: Do I need swimwear lining or powernet? The answer depends on how much support and stability is desired.

Swimwear lining is used to make swimwear more opaque and durable. https://lingeriememade.de/products/badefutter-4-wege-stretch-beige-weiss-schwarz

Properties:

  • soft on the skin
  • bi-elastic
  • provides more durability
  • prevents transparency in wet fabric
  • ideal for bikini and swimsuit

Powernet is significantly more stable than swimwear lining and is used for shaping or supportive areas.

Properties:

  • stabilizing
  • ideal for larger cups
  • supports the shaping effect
  • suitable for integrated bra solutions
  • provides better support

Powernet is often used especially for large busts.

Which elastics are suitable for bikinis and swimsuits?

Regular lingerie elastics are unsuitable for swimwear because they often do not withstand chlorine, UV radiation, and saltwater for long.

Swimwear elastic for swimwear

Special swimwear elastic is developed for stress in water and is therefore significantly more durable.

Properties:

  • chlorine- and saltwater-resistant
  • remains elastic even after many years and swims
  • provides stable support
  • ribbed surface makes sewing easier

Typical widths:

  • 6–8 mm swimwear elastic → for leg openings and bikini
  • 10–15 mm swimwear elastic → for underbust elastic
  • 15 mm swimwear elastic → straps and ideal for larger sizes and more support

 

Which swimwear is suitable for large cups?

Many conventional swimsuits offer too little support for large busts. That’s why self-sewn swimwear is becoming increasingly popular.

For large cups, the following are recommended:

  • Powernet for stabilization
  • wide underbust swimwear elastic
  • wider straps
  • integrated bra cups or bra shells
  • well-supporting patterns like swimsuit Brigitte

Especially practical are complete sewing kits where all materials are already coordinated. This makes it easier for beginners to get started and saves time searching for materials.