Swimsuit Pattern

Sewing pattern for making cute swimsuits for dolls like American Girl, BFC Ink, and Kartio Kids

Supplies Needed: yard of swim fabric (spandex) or a girls swimsuit. 30 inches of fold over elastic (I will refer to it as FOE) 5/8 or width Thread Sewing machine with a zigzag and stretch stitch options

Once you have chosen your fabric, pin the pattern and cut out all of the pieces. Make sure that the fabric is folded for double thickness and that the print is going in the right direction. Also notice that there is a pattern piece that needs to be placed on a fold. The chart below shows measurements of the fold over elastic for each type of doll. The Karito and AG will use the same pattern pieces.

DOLL A. G. B F C KARITO

ARMS x 2 5 inches 4 inches 5 inches

LEGS x 2 BACK x 2 5 inches 2 inches 4 inches 1 inches 5 inches 2 inches

FRONT x 1 3 inches 2 inches 3 inches

Sewing Instructions
NOTE: Fold over elastic (FOE) is inexpensive and can be found in a variety of colors. There are many etsy shops that sell it as well as multiple sites on the web. The type that Ive used in the illustration is wide which becomes 3/8 when folded in half. You can see from the picture to the left, that it has a crease down the center so it will fold easily. The fabric is sandwiched between the two sides of the elastic. You can sew with a small zigzag or a stretch stitch.

1. Sew the FOE along the top edge of the front. Do not stretch the swimsuit fabric. 2. Sew the FOE along the top edges of the two back pieces (the side that slants down to the center back). Stretch the FOE to fit the fabric.

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3. Lay one arm piece of FOE flat. Line up the side seam edge of both the front and back piece with the bottom and top edges of the strip. See first picture to the far left. 4. Sandwiching the fabric between the two sides, fold the elastic in half and pin to keep the front and back pieces lined up. Sew all along the edge of the elastic, from the side over the shoulder to the other side. 5. Repeat this for the other side. 6. The finished straps are pictured left.

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7. With right sides together, match up the side seam. Pin. 8. It is recommended to sew the side seams with a stretch stitch. On the machine used in the illustration, it is #9. It looks like a zigzag, but its more straight than wide. This will allow your seam to stretch with your fabric without breaking. 9. Sew both side seams with a seam allowance.

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10.Sew the leg pieces of FOE to the leg openings. Stretch the elastic slightly to fit the fabric. The elastic measurement is about longer than necessary so that you can stretch it while sewing to the edge. Trim of the excess.

11.Repeat with the other leg opening.

12.With right sides together, match up the center back seam. Pin and sew with a stretch stitch. Be sure to sew a rounded curve, not a point where the piece curves in.

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13.With the swimsuit still inside out, lay it flat and match up the center crotch seam. Sew with a stretch stitch and reinforce with a zigzag to finish the seam.

Finished Swimsuit

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