Banksia Swim Expansion Sewing Pattern PDF

The Banksia [pronounced like Banksy-a] Swim Extension pack provides pattern pieces and instructions to transform your Banksia Bralette pattern in to Swimwear.

The Banksia Swimsuit Expansion turns your Banksia Bralette pattern into a swimsuit that you wont want to take off! Views A and B feature our unique support slings that separate and provide light support. View B is a tankini top with a hidden bralette. The swim bottoms are fully lined and provide perfect coverage for your body. All views feature a comfy edge binding that won’t dig in, whilst also providing a professional finish. The Banksia Swimsuit can be sewn on domestic sewing machine with a zigzag stitch. No serger required!

This pattern download contains the Banksia Swim Expansion ONLY. You will need pieces from the Banksia Bralette, which can be purchased separately here.

Difficulty 2/5

Sizes Available:

Sizes A-M

38-64" (97-162cm) Bust
41.5-71.5" (105-182cm) Hip

There are sewing-size B and D Cup pieces and there are narrow shoulder shoulder pieces for both cup sizes. Sewing cup sizes are different to RTW cup sizes and use the difference between the Upper Bust and Full bust.

(see size chart in images)

If our sizes are too small to include you, we will grade our patterns up for you. Please get in touch with us here.

Finished Garment Measurements:

• Please select your top size based primarily on your under bust measurement

• Please select your bottoms size based primarily on your hip measurement

• Because the support is provided with slings and not cups, the bralette will accommodate a wide range of breast shapes and sizes

• If you have a narrow shoulders, your upper bust might indicate you have a larger sewing cup size than your actual breast size. If you know you have narrow shoulders, please use the “narrow shoulder” pieces that are provided

N.B. Sewing cup sizes are different to bra cup sizes and are calculated using the difference between the over bust and full bust measurements. This bralette was drafted for a D cup (4” difference between over bust and full bust measurement) or a B cup (2” difference). Pieces for narrow shoulders are included for both cup sizes.

Suggested Fabric:

This pattern is designed for 4 way stretch (stretches both horizontally and vertically) swim fabric with good recovery. Swimwear fabrics usually contain at least 20% spandex and are normally chlorine and UV resistant. They are typically Nylon/Spandex or Polyester/ Spandex blends.

Support in the bikini and tankini is provided with Powernet (used in bra making).

Please ensure the swimsuit lining you select is 4-way-stretch (stretches both horizontally and vertically). You can also use stretch mesh (dance mesh) to line the swim bottoms.

Nellie Joans stocks everything you need for the Banksia Swim Expansion

Fabric Yardage:

View A (bikini top)

Sizes A-F

• 0.6m/0.7 yds of 150cm (60”) wide swimsuit fabric
• 0.6m/0.7 yds of 150cm (60”) wide powernet

Sizes G-H

• 0.7m/0.8 yds of 150cm (60”) wide swimsuit fabric
• 0.8m/0.9 yds of 150cm (60”) wide powernet

View B (Tankini)

Sizes A-F

• 1.1m/1.2 yds of 150cm (60”) wide swimsuit fabric
• 0.6m/0.7 yds of 150cm (60”) wide powernet

Sizes G-M

• 1.6m/1.8 yds of 150cm (60”) wide swimsuit fabric
• 0.8m/0.9 yds of 150cm (60”) wide powernet

Swim Bottoms

Sizes A-F

• 0.7m/0.8 yds of 150cm (60”) wide swimsuit fabric
• 0.5m/0.6 yds of 150cm (60”) wide swimsuit lining

Sizes G-M

• 0.9m/1 yds of 150cm (60”) wide swimsuit fabric
• 0.7m/0.8 yds of 150cm (60”) wide swimsuit lining

Bralette + Swim Bottoms (bikini)

Sizes A-F

• 1.2m/1.3 yds of 150cm (60”) wide swimsuit fabric
• 0.6m/0.7 yds of 150cm (60”) wide powernet
• 0.5m/0.6 yds of 150cm (60”) wide swimsuit lining

Sizes G-M

• 1.5m/1.7 yds of 150cm (60”) wide swimsuit fabric
• 0.8m/0.9 yds of 150cm (60”) wide powernet
• 0.7m/0.8 yds of 150cm (60”) wide swimsuit lining

Tank + Swim Bottoms (tankini)

Sizes A-F

• 1.6m/1.8 yds of 150cm (60”) wide swimsuit fabric
• 0.6m/0.7 yds of 150cm (60”) wide powernet
• 0.5m/0.6 yds of 150cm (60”) wide swimsuit lining

Sizes G-M

• 2.5m/2.8 yds of 150cm (60”) wide swimsuit fabric
• 0.8m/0.9 yds of 150cm (60”) wide powernet
• 0.7m/0.8 yds of 150cm (60”) wide swimsuit lining

How we've calculated the yardage.

Notions

View A (bikini top)

• 2.5m/2.75 yds, 3/8” (10mm) wide swimwear elastic
• 1.5” (38mm) or 1.25” (30mm) ribbed, non-roll waistband elastic** to fit snugly around your under-bust

View B (Tankini)

• 2.5m/2.75 yds, 3/8” (10mm) wide swimwear elastic
• 1.5” (38mm) or 1.25” (30mm) ribbed, non-roll waistband elastic** to fit snugly around your under-bust

Swim Bottoms

• 3.3m/3.6 yds, 3/8” (10mm) wide swimwear elastic

Bralette + Swim Bottoms (bikini) or Tank + Swim Bottoms (tankini)

• 5.8m/6.4 yds, 3/8” (10mm) wide swimwear Elastic
• 1.5” (38mm) or 1.25” (30mm) ribbed, non-roll waistband elastic** to fit snugly around your underbust

Fabric yardage for this bralette and tank is calculated with powermesh front and slings, and swimsuit. If you require more or less support you may need different yardage, read more here about the support options for the bralette or for specific info on the swimwear support options, read this blog.

Our videos and blogs:

(Almost) everything you need to know about Banksia Swim

Banksia Swim and Bralette elastic options video

Banksia Swim and Bralette fabric options video

Swim binding sew-along video

Cup-sizes for the Banksia Bralette and Swim

Banksia Lounge Tank Hack

Support options for your Banksia Bralette on the blog

Banksia Bralette Support options video

Where to buy Banksia Swimsuit supplies

 

Banksia Swim Expansion inspo:

Check out the hashtags, #BanksiaSwimsuit, or #BanksiaTank

The Banksia Swimsuit Expansion makes a great swimsuit, and the tank works great as lounge-wear. Wear the tank made in cotton/lycra or bamboo/lycra under our Torrens Box Top, or our Waikerie Shirt or make the perfect matching set with our Waratah Undies and Period Undies. The Tank, with built in bralette could also be matched with our Glebe, Sculthorpe or Willandra Pants to make a great PJ set.