How to Sew Faye as a Reversible Swimsuit

Our new Faye Swimsuit is a real swimwear pattern workhorse, with three distinct views. But you know us, we couldn't just stop there... why not also make it completely reversible?! Choose two different fabrics and get the most looks possible! Here is Heather in View A using the recycled nylon swim fabric from Core Fabrics in the wet sand and sunbaked red colourways... it's four swimsuits for the price of one!

Want to make your own reversible Faye? Read on!

MAKING FAYE REVERSIBLE

In order to achieve a nice clean finish on both sides of the reversible suit, we altered the construction steps slightly from those included in the pattern. Prepare your pattern pieces as per the instructions, but eliminate the lining pieces and cut the outer pieces twice, once from each fabric. 

The other important difference with this version is where you sew your elastic. In the original instructions for Faye, the elastic is sewn to the fabric down the center of the elastic - this helps pull the lining to the inside so you don't see it. If you're making a reversible suit, you need to sew along the inner edge of the elastic as you attach it so that when you turn it right side out, neither side is favoured and it will lay flat regardless of what side you're wearing facing out.

Finally, on the reversible version, the construction order is a bit different. We join the inner and outer fabrics at the neckline and underbust first, before attaching the side seams after leaving a gap to pull it through.  For the bottoms, we sew waist and leg openings first before doing the same thing along the side seams.

Since this is a tricky bit to photograph, we've made a youtube tutorial! In it, we demonstrate using the bikini as an example, but the process would be the same if you were sewing the one-piece (neckline and back first, then leg openings, then side seams last).

HOW TO SEW A REVERSIBLE SWIMSUIT TUTORIAL

One thing to note with a reversible suit: since there is no topstitching to anchor the elastic in place, you'll nearly always see a peek of the contrast fabric along the seam lines as your body moves around. We actually think this is a kinda cool feature because it almost looks a bit like a piping edge! You'll also have to decide what is the "master" colour, since it's not possible to make the straps double-sided too, so make sure the strap fabric is one you'll like on either side.

Now we want to know! What colours would you choose for your own reversible suit?