60 Swimwear and Beachwear Sewing Patterns: 30 Paid and 30 Free
Swim and beach sewing inspiration
At FABCYCLE, we are constantly receiving deadstock fabrics that feel full of possibility.
A stretchy knit that would make a beautiful swimsuit. A sheer mesh that is begging to become a cover-up. A soft rayon or floaty chiffon that would be perfect for something breezy to throw on after a swim.
Because deadstock is always changing, sometimes the best way to shop it is to begin with an idea.
So we put together 60 swimwear and beachwear sewing patterns to help you find one: 30 paid and 30 free. There are one-pieces, bikinis, swim separates, active styles, cover-ups and a few options for simply sitting beside the water looking fabulous.
How we evaluated the patterns
Pattern details in this guide are summarized from the designers’ official pattern pages, including the available views, construction features, suggested fabrics and instruction format.
Difficulty ratings are FABCYCLE editorial estimates unless a designer explicitly provides a level. We have not personally sewn all 60 patterns, so these recommendations are intended to help you compare your options rather than replace the information provided by the pattern designer.
Before purchasing or printing, confirm the current size range, fabric stretch requirement, included files, supplies and skill recommendation on the official pattern page.
New to sewing swimwear?
This roundup focuses on helping you choose a pattern. For fabric stretch, recovery, lining, swimwear elastic, machine settings, fit and mock-ups, read our companion guide:
How to Sew Swimwear: Fabric, Elastic, Fit and Supplies Explained →
Start here
Our quick recommendations
Sixty patterns is a lot to look through. These are a few useful starting points before you explore the full list.
Cottesloe or Breakwater, depending on whether you prefer a classic or cut-out shape.
Ipswich, which was developed with cup options and mix-and-match sizing in mind.
Bathing Beauty for structured old-Hollywood glamour.
Jia Surfsuit for sleeves, a front zipper and secure coverage.
Reed, because apparently puff sleeves also belong at the pool.
Coastal Cover-Up for a relaxed, approachable layer.
Callisia for full length, statement sleeves and excellent walking-through-a-breeze potential.
Featured paid patterns
Four paid patterns to see first
Paid patterns
Paid one-piece and convertible swimsuit patterns
These range from approachable sporty suits to highly structured designs with cup shaping, foam and underwire. A one-piece offers continuous coverage, but it also has to fit the bust, waist, hips and full torso length at the same time.
Breakwater Swimsuit
Helen’s Closet
Difficulty: Advanced beginner • Type: One-piece and bikini
Best for: A first swimsuit with interesting cut-outs and colour-blocking potential
A sleek, strappy design with one-piece and two-piece views. It feels modern without immediately introducing underwire or complex structured cups.
View the Breakwater pattern →Bathing Beauty Swimsuit
Charm Patterns
Difficulty: Advanced • Type: Structured one-piece
Best for: Vintage lovers and sewists who enjoy detailed bust construction
A fitted vintage-inspired swimsuit with shaped cups and serious old-Hollywood personality. This is a project for someone who wants the construction to be part of the experience.
View the Bathing Beauty pattern →Athena One Piece
Edgewater Avenue
Difficulty: Intermediate • Type: Cut-out one-piece
Best for: Fashion-led swimwear and poolside lounging
A sleek one-piece with bold cut-outs and the look of modern ready-to-wear swimwear.
View the Athena pattern →Bohol Swimsuit
Bélène Paris
Difficulty: Advanced • Type: One-piece and bikini
Best for: Underwire support, foam cups and lingerie-style techniques
A striking shell-cup design with substantial internal structure. It looks much closer to luxury swimwear than a typical beginner project—and it asks considerably more of you in return.
View the Bohol pattern →Cottesloe Swimsuit
Megan Nielsen Patterns
Difficulty: Beginner–Intermediate • Type: One-piece and bikini
Best for: Building a versatile first swimwear set
A practical multi-view pattern with several neckline choices and different coverage options. A good place to start when you want choice without extremely complicated construction.
View the Cottesloe pattern →Ipswich Swimsuit
Cashmerette
Difficulty: Intermediate • Type: One-piece and bikini
Best for: Fuller-bust fitting and more deliberate support options
A supportive pattern developed with cup options and mix-and-match sizing in mind. Particularly useful when the same size does not work equally well through the bust and hips.
View the Ipswich pattern →Sophie Swimsuit
Closet Core Patterns
Difficulty: Intermediate • Type: One-piece and bikini
Best for: Defined shaping and a polished ready-to-wear finish
A refined swimsuit and bikini with shaped cups and clean lines. It sits between a simple unstructured suit and a full lingerie-style construction project.
View the Sophie pattern →Bombshell Swimsuit
Closet Core Patterns
Difficulty: Intermediate • Type: Ruched one-piece
Best for: Vintage glamour and fuller coverage
A retro swimsuit with extensive ruching and a dramatic pin-up-inspired silhouette.
View the Bombshell pattern →Seabright Swimmer
Friday Pattern Company
Difficulty: Beginner–Intermediate • Type: Sporty one-piece
Best for: Swimming, clean construction and bodysuit styling
A simple athletic suit that can also be worn away from the water as a bodysuit.
View the Seabright pattern →Nido Swimsuit
Bélène Paris
Difficulty: Intermediate–Advanced • Type: Asymmetric one-piece
Best for: Architectural, editorial-looking swimwear
An asymmetric suit with a wide gathered strap and optional corset-like cut-outs. Beautiful, dramatic and very much not boring.
View the Nido pattern →Kaia Swimsuit
Papercut Patterns
Difficulty: Intermediate • Type: One-piece and bikini
Best for: Twist details and multiple styling options
A twist-neck suit with one-piece and bikini views and an internal shelf-bra option.
View the Kaia pattern →Freya Swimsuit
Made My Wardrobe
Difficulty: Intermediate • Type: Low-back one-piece
Best for: Minimal styling and adjustable straps
A low-backed suit with the choice of a clean front or a triangular cut-out.
View the Freya pattern →Tropical Twist Swimsuit
Ellie and Mac
Difficulty: Intermediate • Type: Cut-out one-piece
Best for: Flounces, cut-outs and multiple styling variations
A playful cut-out swimsuit with optional flounce details. It can lean sweet, dramatic or somewhere happily in between.
View the Tropical Twist pattern →Paid bikini and mix-and-match patterns
Separates can be easier to fit because you can select different sizes for the top and bottom. They are also useful for combining smaller coordinating cuts of deadstock fabric.
Cowrie Kini
Paradise Patterns
Difficulty: Intermediate • Type: Fashion bikini
Best for: Sculptural, modern swimwear
An unusual bikini with curved statement lines that feels far removed from a standard triangle set.
View the Cowrie Kini pattern →Bain de Minuit
Lise Tailor
Difficulty: Intermediate • Type: Swimsuit and two-piece
Best for: Refined European resort style
A polished French swim pattern with elegant shaping and a clean resort-ready appearance.
View the Bain de Minuit pattern →Mistral Swimsuit
Bikini Design Club
Difficulty: Advanced • Type: Twist-front swimsuit
Best for: Dramatic fashion sewing
A wonderfully dramatic twist-front suit for anyone who sees the word advanced as an invitation rather than a warning.
View the Mistral pattern →Calypso Asymmetrical Swimsuit
Étoffe Malicieuse
Difficulty: Intermediate • Type: Asymmetric swimwear
Best for: One-shoulder styling and optional ruffles
An asymmetric French swimsuit with the very important option of adding a flounce.
View the Calypso pattern →Heiress Bikini
Swim Style Patterns
Difficulty: Intermediate • Type: Structured bikini
Best for: Vintage-inspired shaping
A statement bikini with a polished, structured top rather than a simple sports-bra silhouette.
View the Heiress pattern →Jazz Bikini
Swim Style Patterns
Difficulty: Intermediate • Type: High-waisted bikini
Best for: Retro style and more bottom coverage
A high-waisted two-piece with vintage personality and a fuller-coverage bottom.
View the Jazz pattern →North Shore Swimsuit
Greenstyle Creations
Difficulty: Beginner–Intermediate • Type: Mix-and-match separates
Best for: Customizing support and coverage
A highly adaptable pattern with numerous top and bottom combinations.
View the North Shore pattern →Mairin Swimsuit
Sew Love Patterns
Difficulty: Intermediate • Type: One-piece and separates
Best for: Building a coordinated swim wardrobe
A multi-view pattern for creating matching one-piece and two-piece swimwear.
View the Mairin pattern →Tidal One-Shoulder Bikini Top
Swim Style Patterns
Difficulty: Intermediate • Type: Asymmetric bikini top
Best for: Modern mix-and-match swimwear
A contemporary one-shoulder top that can be paired with whichever bottom shape and coverage level you prefer.
View the Tidal pattern →Paid surf suits, swim shorts and active styles
Active patterns prioritize movement, secure coverage and practical details. They are useful for swimming, surfing, paddling and anyone who wants their suit to remain in place while doing more than lying completely still.
Jia Surfsuit
Friday Pattern Company
Difficulty: Intermediate • Type: Long-sleeved surfsuit
Best for: Surfing, sun coverage and active use
A raglan-sleeved suit with a front zipper and optional underarm gussets for additional mobility.
View the Jia pattern →Riptide Reversible Shorties
Swim Style Patterns
Difficulty: Beginner–Intermediate • Type: Reversible swim shorts
Best for: Active beach days and additional leg coverage
A practical alternative to a traditional bikini bottom, with the extra benefit of reversible construction.
View the Riptide pattern →Surf to Summit Top
Greenstyle Creations
Difficulty: Intermediate • Type: Performance swim top
Best for: Swimming, surfing and activewear
A performance-focused top designed to work across swimwear and activewear.
View the Surf to Summit pattern →Swimsuit No. 928
Grasser Patterns
Difficulty: Intermediate • Type: Athletic one-piece
Best for: Sporty, minimal swimwear
A fitted one-piece with clean athletic lines and a competitive-swim appearance.
View Swimsuit No. 928 →Paid beach cover-up and resortwear patterns
A cover-up can be a lower-pressure first beach project because it does not usually involve negative ease or swimwear elastic. The main challenge is choosing a fabric with the right drape, opacity and movement.
Hallon Dress
Paradise Patterns
Difficulty: Confident beginner • Type: Loose beach dress
Best for: Dramatic volume and statement fabric
A wonderfully swingy dress with relaxed and straighter views. It can be made in crisp fabric for volume or something fluid for a softer, more dramatic fall.
View the Hallon pattern →Charlie Caftan
Closet Core Patterns
Difficulty: Intermediate • Type: Caftan or summer dress
Best for: Polished beach-to-dinner dressing
A proper garment rather than only a quick cover-up, with several lengths and a shaped centre panel.
View the Charlie pattern →Saguaro Set
Friday Pattern Company
Difficulty: Beginner–Intermediate • Type: Cropped top and pants
Best for: A complete resort outfit
A relaxed top and flowing pants set that moves easily from a beach cover-up to dinner.
View the Saguaro pattern →Saltwater Slip Dress
Friday Pattern Company
Difficulty: Beginner–Intermediate • Type: Slip dress or beach layer
Best for: Sheer mesh, lightweight rayon and fluid fabrics
A simple flowing layer that allows an unusual print, texture or transparent fabric to become the main event.
View the Saltwater Slip pattern →Featured free patterns
Four free patterns to see first
Free patterns
Free bikini, one-piece and swim-separate patterns
Free patterns can be excellent, but the format varies. Some include complete illustrated instructions, while others use blog tutorials, video instructions or an email signup. Check the current download method, included sizes and seam allowance before printing.
Holland Top
Edgewater Avenue
Difficulty: Beginner–Intermediate • Type: Bikini top
Best for: A first swimwear separate
A clean contemporary top that can be paired with many different bottom shapes.
View the Holland pattern →Dallas Top
Edgewater Avenue
Difficulty: Intermediate • Type: Fashion bikini top
Best for: Colour blocking and a ready-to-wear appearance
A modern swim top with strong graphic lines and plenty of colour-blocking potential.
View the Dallas pattern →Reed Swimsuit
Mood Sewciety
Difficulty: Intermediate • Type: High-waisted two-piece
Best for: Dramatic, fashion-led swimwear
A twist-front set with high-waisted bottoms and puff sleeves. Swimwear deserves sleeves and a little drama.
View the Reed pattern →Speedwell Swimsuit
Mood Sewciety
Difficulty: Intermediate • Type: Cut-out swimsuit
Best for: One-piece coverage with the appearance of a two-piece
A connected cut-out design that gives you the visual interest of a bikini while remaining one garment.
View the Speedwell pattern →Becky Top
Edgewater Avenue
Difficulty: Intermediate • Type: Bikini top
Best for: Distinctive mix-and-match sets
A fashion-forward free top for a swim set that feels more designed than basic.
View the Becky pattern →Jace Top
Edgewater Avenue
Difficulty: Beginner–Intermediate • Type: Bikini top
Best for: Visual learners
A free bikini top with video-led construction guidance.
View the Jace pattern →Lani Top
Edgewater Avenue
Difficulty: Beginner–Intermediate • Type: Bikini top
Best for: A mix-and-match swim wardrobe
A clean modern top that can be paired with the bottom style and coverage level you already enjoy.
View the Lani pattern →I AM Leia Bikini
I AM Patterns
Difficulty: Beginner • Type: Classic bikini
Best for: A simple, timeless first bikini
A streamlined French pattern with clean triangle cups, simple lines and a polished finish.
View the Leia pattern →Lemon Halter Top
Relevé Studio
Difficulty: Beginner • Type: Reversible halter top
Best for: Different bust sizes and an adjustable summer or swim top
A reversible halter with three versions developed for smaller, medium and fuller busts. The pattern also includes a video tutorial.
View the Lemon pattern →Naxos Swimsuit
Mood Sewciety
Difficulty: Intermediate • Type: Retro two-piece
Best for: Vintage style and additional bottom coverage
A ruched sweetheart top paired with high-rise shorts-style bottoms.
View the Naxos pattern →Cordia High-Waisted Swimsuit
Mood Sewciety
Difficulty: Intermediate • Type: High-waisted bikini
Best for: Cup options and vintage shaping
A halter-style swimsuit with high-waisted bottoms, multiple cup sizes and a distinctly retro silhouette.
View the Cordia pattern →Cindy Bikini
Relevé Studio
Difficulty: Beginner • Type: Bikini with two bottom options
Best for: Learning swimwear construction with video instruction
A fun bikini with top options for smaller, medium and fuller busts, plus a ruched high-waisted bottom and a minimal bikini bottom.
View the Cindy pattern →Antikythera One-Shoulder Bikini
Mood Sewciety
Difficulty: Intermediate • Type: One-shoulder bikini
Best for: Asymmetric styling
A contemporary one-shoulder bikini with a strong graphic silhouette.
View the Antikythera pattern →Bay Swimsuit
Mood Sewciety
Difficulty: Beginner–Intermediate • Type: Gender-neutral separates
Best for: Active use and flexible coverage
A versatile collection of tops and shorts with multiple lengths that can also work as activewear.
View the Bay pattern →Azure Tankini Skirt Set
Mood Sewciety
Difficulty: Intermediate • Type: Tankini, bottom and skirt
Best for: Adjustable coverage and a coordinated outfit
A three-piece swim set that can move easily from the pool to the boardwalk.
View the Azure pattern →Free beach cover-up and resortwear patterns
These range from quick airy layers to full dresses and coordinated sets. Check whether the design expects a stretch knit, stable woven, lace or a very fluid fabric before choosing from your pile.
Marina Set
Relevé Studio
Difficulty: Ultra beginner • Type: Tube top and skirt set
Best for: A modern knit beachwear outfit
A fitted tube top with an integrated bralette, paired with either a short or midi skirt. It is designed for stretch knits and can be sewn without a serger.
View the Marina pattern →MIA Top and Dress
Relevé Studio
Difficulty: Beginner • Type: Crossed top, ring-front top or dress
Best for: A versatile beach top with fuller-bust options
A crossed or ring-front design offered across a broad range of bust sizes. The included module can also extend it into a dress.
View the MIA pattern →Stella Beach Top
Relevé Studio
Difficulty: Ultra beginner • Type: Swimsuit layering top
Best for: A fast top to pull over a swimsuit
A casual summer top with two versions and optional buckle or tie details. It is specifically designed as a layer to wear over swimwear.
View the Stella pattern →Kimono Lana
Relevé Studio
Difficulty: Beginner–Intermediate • Type: Midi beach kimono
Best for: A relaxed robe with statement sleeves
A midi-length kimono with wide sleeves and a drawstring waist. It works equally well as beachwear or a lightweight robe at home.
View the Kimono Lana pattern →Short Pamela
Relevé Studio
Difficulty: Beginner • Type: Relaxed summer shorts
Best for: A simple beach outfit or comfortable summer separate
An easy pair of casual shorts with an optional buttonhole detail. A useful alternative when you want practical beachwear rather than another dress or robe.
View the Pamela pattern →Elise Halter Top
Relevé Studio
Difficulty: Beginner • Type: Cowl-neck halter top
Best for: A quick fluid-fabric summer top
A backless halter with a soft cowl neckline, designed as an approximately one-hour project in satin, viscose, Tencel or lightweight jersey.
View the Elise pattern →Coastal Cover-Up
George + Ginger
Difficulty: Beginner • Type: Relaxed cover-up
Best for: A quick first beachwear project
A simple relaxed layer that slips easily over a swimsuit.
View the Coastal pattern →Lounge Gown
George + Ginger
Difficulty: Beginner–Intermediate • Type: Long robe or cover-up
Best for: Dramatic poolside layering
A long statement layer that can work by the water, at home or over a complete summer outfit.
View the Lounge Gown pattern →Cabana Tie Playsuit
Matchy Matchy Sewing Club
Difficulty: Beginner–Intermediate • Type: Tie-front playsuit
Best for: Casual poolside outfits
A breezy playsuit that works as both a cover-up and an easy summer outfit.
View the Cabana pattern →Carica Poolside Cover-Up Set
Mood Sewciety
Difficulty: Intermediate • Type: Two-piece cover-up set
Best for: A complete poolside outfit
A coordinated top-and-bottom set that turns a lightweight fluid fabric into intentional resortwear.
View the Carica pattern →Kauai Cover-Up
Pattern Niche
Difficulty: Beginner • Type: Relaxed cover-up
Best for: A quick casual project
An approachable beach layer with an easy, relaxed silhouette.
View the Kauai pattern →Callisia Cover-Up
Mood Sewciety
Difficulty: Intermediate • Type: Full-length cover-up
Best for: Statement sleeves and dramatic movement
A full-length layer with double-puff bishop sleeves and enough volume to make walking toward the pool feel cinematic.
View the Callisia pattern →Reef Sleeveless Cover-Up
Mood Sewciety
Difficulty: Beginner–Intermediate • Type: Sporty knit cover-up
Best for: French terry, scuba and cooler beach days
A practical sleeveless quarter-zip layer intended for medium-weight knit fabrics.
View the Reef pattern →Vero Beach Dress
Mood Sewciety
Difficulty: Beginner–Intermediate • Type: Loose beach dress
Best for: Easy vacation dressing
A breezy dress that works as a relaxed cover-up or a complete summer outfit.
View the Vero pattern →Amalfi Zip-Front Midi Resort Dress
Mood Sewciety
Difficulty: Intermediate • Type: Midi resort dress
Best for: Beach-to-dinner dressing
A polished zip-front dress that works beyond the beach as a complete summer garment.
View the Amalfi pattern →Quick pattern finder
Which swimwear sewing pattern should you choose?
Sometimes you do not know the name of the pattern you want. You simply know that it needs support, coverage, sleeves or enough drama to justify buying three metres of an outrageous print.
Good options for a first swimsuit
For something dramatic
For vintage-inspired style
For more built-in support
For swimming, surfing or active use
For lounging beautifully
For high-waisted bottoms
For asymmetry and one-shoulder details
Before buying your fabric
Check the pattern’s official stretch percentage, stretch direction, lining requirements, cup options, size chart, supplies and finished garment measurements.
Two swim knits can look similar while behaving completely differently once stretched or wet. Our practical guide to sewing swimwear explains recovery, opacity, support, elastic, machine settings and mock-ups in more detail.
Shop by project idea
Find deadstock fabric for your swim and beach project
Deadstock fabrics are limited, and the available colours, prints, weights and fibre contents continually change. Shopping by project idea can make it easier to see what a fabric might become.
Pattern details were reviewed using the designers’ official pattern pages, which are linked with every entry. Difficulty and “best for” recommendations are editorial estimates intended to help readers compare options. Pattern availability, prices, size ranges, fabric requirements and download methods can change. Confirm current information on the designer’s website before purchasing, printing or cutting. Featured images are displayed directly from and attributed to their original pattern pages; if a source website later changes an image address, that individual image may stop displaying.
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