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DIY Bathing Suit from the Scirocco Pattern

scirocco collage

Love the Figgy’s Scirocco Dress Pattern, and want an updated version of it for Summer?

How about a bathing suit…

 

I’m so excited to share a fun tutorial with you today about how to morph a fabulous dress pattern into an adorable swimsuit.

I have two daughters and I love making girly dresses for them with lots of ruffles and details. Figgy’s Scirocco pattern is amazing, and surprisingly easy to whip up…even for a beginning-ish sewer like me. If you don’t have the fantastic Scirocco pattern already, head over to my blog for a chance to win it!

Recently, we took a family trip to a water park. The day we left I decided my 3 year old needed a new swimsuit (any other last minute sewers out there?) and an idea popped into my head. Wouldn’t the Scirocco pattern make a fun bathing suit?? I decided to see if I could make it work…and LOVE the way it turned out! (So does my little girl.)

scirocco collage2
Wanna make one too? It’s easy! Here’s how:

Cut and sew the bodice following the Scirocco directions.

Note: I would recommend making the bodice one size smaller than you would make the dress since the pattern was written for woven fabric and you’ll be using swimsuit material. It stretches quite a bit in the water and a smaller fit will work better.

Cut 4 of the top flounce. This is the only other pattern piece you need from the original pattern.

step 2

With right sides together, sew two pieces along the bottom. (I used a 1/2″ seam allowance and a small zig-zag stitch.) Then repeat with the second set of flounces. Grade seams.

step 3

Open up each set and place one on top of the other with right sides together, matching the seams. Sew one edge. Trim.

step 4

Fold the pieces together with the long curved edge on the bottom and sew along the top edge from the center seam to one side…stopping 1/2″ from the end.

step 5

Trim the seam allowance. Turn the piece right side out.

Take the open-topped side and place it wrong side down on a flat surface. Then bring the lower seam of the tube side to meet the lower seam of the flat side. (see below)

step 7

Pin the lower seams together, and then pin the top seam of the tube to the corresponding edge of the flattened piece.

step 8

Stitch from outer pin to the middle and then continue sewing the rest of the tube to the remaining open edge. You have made a circle with half of the top seam open and half sewn closed.

step 9

Cut a piece of elastic using the following measurements: child’s waist divided by 2. Then subtract 1.5″ to 2″ depending on how snug you want the ruffle to be at the child’s back.

Insert the elastic through the open part of the circle and tack it down at each of the side seams. (There isn’t an actual casing for the elastic, but by tacking it to each side seam, I found that it stays in place really well and holds the flounce nicely to the body.)

step 11

Sew the flounce to the bodice, matching side seams. You can follow the Scirocco directions for this, if needed.

Then you just need to make swimsuit bottoms. I used the bottoms from the Santa Monica Sweetheart Tankini pattern by Peek-a-boo Pattern Shop.

scirocco swim bottoms

You are done! I know your little girl will LOVE her new swimsuit!

SciroccoGiveaway

Thanks so much for stopping by, and until next time…
Happy Sewing!

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diy// girl31 Comments

About Jess

When I was a young girl, my nickname was Jessica Rabbit. Fast forward 20 years, and I am married to the love of my life who, as fate would have it, has the last name Abbott. That's me! Jessica R. Abbott - aka, Jess Rabbit. Simply living a happy, yet crazy, love-filled life in Virginia Beach with 3 kids and 1 puppy in tow. Read More…

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Comments

  1. Teresa says

    June 10, 2013 at 6:53 am

    This is too cute!

    Reply
    • Elisa Clark says

      June 10, 2013 at 1:29 pm

      Thanks Teresa!

      Reply
  2. Jen @ Eat. Sleep. Make. says

    June 10, 2013 at 7:45 am

    What a great idea! The pattern really makes for an adorable swimsuit. Too cute!

    Reply
    • Elisa Clark says

      June 10, 2013 at 1:29 pm

      Thanks Jen!

      Reply
  3. Mie @ Sewing Like Mad says

    June 10, 2013 at 8:50 am

    Go Elisa! THAT is pretty smart…what fancy bathing suit – love it!

    Reply
    • Elisa Clark says

      June 10, 2013 at 1:30 pm

      Thanks Mie! Fancy is such a good word…my girls call it fancy too!

      Reply
  4. Justine Burke says

    June 10, 2013 at 9:59 am

    I love this pattern. This is on my to sew list now :). If I was a sewing animal, I would say I would be a sewing monkey, because sometimes I just don’t know what I’m doing. 🙂 I’m hoping to transform into something more elegant as the years pass

    Reply
    • Elisa Clark says

      June 10, 2013 at 1:28 pm

      I’m right there with you…a sewing monkey! 🙂 If you make one of the swimsuits like this we’d love to see it!

      Reply
  5. Cherie says

    June 10, 2013 at 10:23 am

    This is genius!! And so so cute.

    Reply
    • Elisa Clark says

      June 10, 2013 at 1:31 pm

      Thank you Cherie!

      Reply
  6. Farrah says

    June 10, 2013 at 10:34 am

    OMGeee! its a 2 piece, so unexpected and cute.

    Reply
    • Elisa Clark says

      June 10, 2013 at 1:32 pm

      Thanks Farrah! A two piece is a must with these little girls. 🙂

      Reply
  7. Erin || Sewbon.com says

    June 10, 2013 at 10:41 am

    I seriously LOVE this! I want one in my size… 🙂

    Reply
    • Elisa Clark says

      June 10, 2013 at 1:33 pm

      Erin, you are so gorgeous you’d look great in it!

      Reply
  8. Amy Hindman says

    June 10, 2013 at 10:45 am

    This is awesome!! I didn’t even realize it was a 2 piece until I read all the way through. Thanks for using my bottoms pattern 🙂

    Reply
    • Elisa Clark says

      June 10, 2013 at 1:27 pm

      Amy, I love ALL of your patterns! I actually made a full Santa Monica Tankini too that I’ll blog about soon. With a Bathing Beauty Swim Cap, course! 🙂 Your patterns are amazing!

      Reply
  9. Courtney says

    June 10, 2013 at 11:02 am

    I just finished my first Scirocco. I love this idea!

    Reply
    • Elisa Clark says

      June 10, 2013 at 1:16 pm

      Courtney, I’m sure it’s adorable. I just love that pattern. If you try it as a swimsuit we’d love to see it!

      Reply
  10. Veronica says

    June 10, 2013 at 11:09 am

    Cute idea. What type of fabric did you use to make the swimsuit and where did you buy it?

    Reply
    • Elisa Clark says

      June 10, 2013 at 1:13 pm

      Veronica, I used a regular spandex swimsuit fabric. I usually get mine at Jo-Ann Fabrics or Hancock Fabrics – but there are lots of places online that sell adorable swimsuit fabric too!

      Reply
  11. Caila says

    June 10, 2013 at 7:20 pm

    How cool! I love this idea! It’s such a great tutorial, thank you. 🙂

    Reply
    • Elisa Clark says

      June 11, 2013 at 5:28 pm

      Thank you Caila!

      Reply
  12. Vanessa@DesignsbySessa says

    June 10, 2013 at 8:26 pm

    Super cute, girlfriend!!! LOVE her in it!!!

    Reply
    • Elisa Clark says

      June 11, 2013 at 5:29 pm

      Thank you! Can’t wait to see your tutorial soon!

      Reply
  13. Frances Suzanne says

    June 10, 2013 at 9:23 pm

    Haven’t been brave enough to try swimwear sewing yet, but your take on the daunting task is too, too cute! LOVE IT…. Thanks for the inspiration!

    Reply
    • Elisa Clark says

      June 11, 2013 at 5:31 pm

      I love your blog and all of your incredible designs. I’m sure you would make a gorgeous swimsuit! It’s really not hard. 🙂

      Reply
  14. Ajaire says

    June 17, 2013 at 10:43 pm

    Such a great idea! I love this 🙂

    Reply
    • Elisa Clark says

      June 20, 2013 at 9:06 am

      Thanks Ajaire!

      Reply
  15. celina says

    June 24, 2013 at 4:15 pm

    So I have 2 weeks until we go on vacation and if I have to pull an all-nighter to make this for my daughter, then it will have to be! I LOVE this- it’s just too cute and a great idea for a cute top as well! Thanks for your genius idea.

    Reply
    • Elisa Clark says

      June 24, 2013 at 7:18 pm

      Thanks Celina! You don’t need to pull an all-nighter, it’s a quick sew. Have fun on vacation!

      Reply
  16. Thread Riding Hood says

    July 9, 2013 at 12:01 am

    I’ve just finished my version of the Scirocco Swimsuit – HOORAY! LOVE IT – Thanks so much for the idea! Photos here: http://threadridinghood.com/wordpress/made-by-me-monday-scirocco-swimsuit/ ~ Sherri

    Reply

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Hello, it’s me.

When I was a young girl, my nickname was Jessica Rabbit. Fast forward 20 years, and I am married to the love of my life who, as fate would have it, has the last name Abbott. That's me! Jessica R Abbott - aka, Jess Rabbit. Read More…

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