Reader question: Nursing swimwear
I got a lovely email from a reader last week asking for some advice on nursing swimwear:
Hi, Meg!
I was wondering if you might be able to point me in a good direction. I love your maternity patterns (they’re so cute!) but I was wondering if you make, or know someone who makes, patterns for nursing swimwear. I’m going to North Carolina for vacation this summer and am having a heck of a time finding nursing swimsuits that belong in this decade. ;) If you know anywhere I might be able to look, I’d appreciate your help SO much! I appreciate it!
Have a great day!
Jill
Unfortunately I wasn’t really able to help Jill out, as I had just as much trouble finding nursing swimwear when I was nursing too. And instead, I just “made do” with halter top swimsuits. It wasn’t the best solution.
So this is where you girls come in – can you help out?!
If anyone knows of a good source of nursing swimwear and/or nursing swimwear sewing patterns (or even tutorials!) could you please leave a comment with a link?
Thank you so much!! XOXO
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I wore a suit from Motherwear.com which had a tankini style top (double layered with openings underneath or via a pull-aside layer). They had both tankinis and one-piece suits, but I do not see them any more. The problem I found is that I lost a ridiculous amount of weight, and the size S (about a 6-8) was giant on me by the sixth or so month postpartum.
I then turned to my sewing machine, and I made a nursing version of a bandeau tankini from Kwik-Sew Patterns (3608) and I have instructions for this on my blog (search nursing swimsuit). It featured openings in the shelf bra inside the tankini. It wasn’t double layered, so if you were looking for full-belly coverage, I’d have to rewrite the tute to create that.
It’s easy to sew; shockingly easy. In fact, if someone can sew your Pina Nursing & Maternity top, they can make a swimsuit. I also made a classic tank suit from Elizabeth Lee Patterns (if you can get past the 1991 pictures on their patterns, the suit itself is very classic, would be chic in black). I also reviewed this on my blog.
http://paradise-graphic.com/sewparadise/?p=285
I make a cheater nursing tankini by layering a tankini top over bandeau one piece. Cut the shelf bra out of the tankini top to reduce bulk. To nurse, lift the tankini top and lower the one piece. I like it best used with the removable halter strap ON the bandeau, because then I can pull on the strap to get the suit back in position after nursing.
I haven’t been in need of this, as I lost my milk 4 weeks after my first child was born in December in NC, but I would imagine if one were to make a tankini whose front panel was connected at the top to a shelf bra that had the nipples cut out, then had an empire waist top piece (over the ninnies) that could be raised to reveal the lining, that would work best. Make sense? Wish I could draw it out…
What if you cut across he front of the top, right under the boobs. Then added snap tape, or velcro, or such? You could add stretchy lace over the opening to make it more decorative if it pulls funny.
I think these suits would all work for the double-layer version or empire version The Conservatory Girl mentions: Jalie 2447 and Jalie 3023 along with Kwik Sew 3696, the one I modified on my blog, 3608 and even 3609.
3503 the halter one piece could be made with a double-layer top, just slide one layer over to reveal opening in the second layer.
I was shocked at how little fabric it takes to make a suit, how easy it was to make it. SewStylish has an article on how to sew a suit this summer issue, too.
And hey, take a look at Meghan’s FREE Lulu dress right here – THAT top would make a great tankini top, just double-layer the top as in my tute for the Kwik sew 3608 (http://paradise-graphic.com/sewparadise/?p=285) and add your favorite bottoms from another suit you own already.