Swim Style has quickly become a go-to source for fashion-forward sewing patterns, originally started with their expertly crafted swimwear designs. Founded by Sharon, a professional pattern maker with decades of experience, and now run as a mother-daughter team, Swim Style bridges the gap between everyday wearability and elevated fashion. In this exclusive interview, we dive into their creative process, fabric recommendations, and the coastal lifestyle that inspires their distinctive patterns. Whether you're a seasoned sewist or just beginning your sewing journey, their insights on selecting the perfect fabrics and creating garments that stand the test of time are invaluable for anyone passionate about creating their own wardrobe.
The Origins of Swim Style: A Mother-Daughter Pattern Making Legacy
Can you tell us a bit about how Swim Style started? What inspired you to create sewing patterns? Sharon my Mum has been a professional pattern maker her whole life. She worked commercial and had her own bridal atelier for a decade. When she finally burnt out from the huge workload she took a step back from the commercial world. After a while she got curious about digital PDF patterns. She noticed there was a gap (back then) and no one was doing swimwear patterns. So she created Swim Style, really it was just to get back into pattern making but with time its evolved into the business it is today.
The Design Philosophy Behind Their Popular Sewing Patterns
What's the philosophy or vision behind your patterns? We always come back to "Elevated Essentials" we believe in building patterns that you can feel good in day-to day (and actually get your wear out of them). But also something that can be dressed up for a night out.
We believe in building patterns that you can feel good in day-to day (and actually get your wear out of them). But also something that can be dressed up for a night out.
How do you approach designing a new pattern? What comes first: the idea, the fabric, or the style? It's different each time. The only constant is how heavily influenced we are by the lifestyle of living by the coast. All our designs take from nature and specifically the beach lifestyle. In a fast-paced, highly connected world full of deadlines, duties and devices, we aim to help people slow down a little, disconnect for a moment, relax the shoulders and bring a piece of our home with them, wherever they go.
Fabric Selections and Preferences for Quality Sewing Projects
Do you have a favorite type of fabric that you tend to design for? We are huge fans of knit fabric, I love ribbed knits!
How do you choose which fabrics work the best with your sewing patterns? What qualities do you look for in fabric to complement your designs? First Mum will tell me which fabrics are best to work with, we then go into testing and test stretch percentages, weights, and how the fabric drapes with the pattern. That then shapes our recommended fabrics for our customers. Then I will source the fabric that I think will highlight the design the best.
Best fabrics for sewing patterns
What's your top tip for sewists when it comes to choosing the right fabric for a pattern? Read the fabric recommendations. All good pattern makers should extensively test different fabrics and list the best suited fabrics for that pattern. It really can make or break a pattern. So many designs can only handle a certain type of fabric so take the recommendations seriously.
Are there any "must-know" fabric properties that sewists often overlook but are crucial to a successful project? If you're working with knit fabric, we mostly see people overlook stretch recovery percentage. In our patterns we will always outline how much recovery a knit fabric needs and how to calculate that. Its especially important in fitted designs.
Working Together as a Mother-Daughter Sewing Pattern Team
We love that Swim Style is a mother-daughter team, what is it like to work with each other? We feel lucky and grateful we get to spend so much time together. There are stressful times of course! However we work through all the obstacles together.
Swim Style has over 40 years of experience in patternmaking, how has this shaped your approach to patternmaking and the way you work? This is a question for Mum however I see how she works. It's almost like it's her first language and English is her second. She can point out why something isnt "just right" and change a pattern effortlessly. It's years of work and learning that builds the muscle.
Finding Inspiration for Fashion-Forward Sewing Patterns
Your pieces are very fashion forward, what's your go-to resource or inspiration for the latest sewing trends? I've always been a little fashion obsessed. I think it comes from growing up in a bridal studio and a coffee table filled with subscriptions of Vogue, Harpers and InStyle. Instagram is the go-to place for sewists. You could spend hours getting lost in the sewing algorithm! Plus, I always live stream fashion week runway shows, London always seems to be my favourite.
Swim Style Fabric & Pattern Recommendations
If you could only sew with one type of fabric for the rest of your life, what would it be? Woah thats a horrible thought… but you cant go past a good linen for everyday wear.
What's the one pattern in your collection that you think every sewist should try? Probably the Andi Set. It comes with a top, skirt and long sleeve view, can be dressed up or down but still has a nice drawstring feature.
Looking for premium sewing fabrics online? Discover the perfect materials for your next Swim Style pattern project at our online fabric store.
