The New Clearwater Summer Essentials is a Clear Winner!

…A New Pattern Release from Love Notions

The Clearwater Summer Essentials is the newest member of the Love Notions family ~ and it’s a winner in my book! I can’t believe I sewed a swimsuit AND I actually wear and like it!!

Update 6/27/2025~ In honor of the Girls Clearwater Summer Essentials pattern that released today, both the girls AND Ladies patterns are on sale for just $6 ALL WEEKEND! You can use my code 10MARYMAC for an additional 10% off.

Although I am not new to sewing swim fabrics, last year this was the first time I ever attempted sewing a swimsuit for myself. Oh how I wish the new sewing course was available last year! I read so many blogs and watched so many videos to find all the tips I could. But~ you are so lucky because Tami and Katie Grimm (another Love Notions Ambassador) have put together a Clearwater Sewing Course that basically holds your hand as you sew this pattern! This sewing course is $25 and is sooooo worth it! This weekend only (6/27/25-6/27/2025) if you purchase the course you can get either the girls or ladies Clearwater pattern for FREE!

If someone told me a year ago that I’d be sewing my own swimsuit this summer~ I would have laughed and said “NO WAY”. I LOVE sewing garments in swim knits. But, I have NEVER really had an interest in sewing an actual swimsuit before. I always thought it would be way to hard to fit my petite yet curvy/busty shape.

I didn’t test this pattern, but as a Love Notions Ambassador I receive a copy early. I’ll be honest, I didn’t know what to expect! Needless to say, I am thrilled with my new swim dress. I have already taken it for a swim AND I’ve ordered another piece of swim fabric to make another!

The Details

The Clearwater Summer Essentials is an athletic wear AND swimwear bundle! It’s a collection of versatile patterns that can be combined to create many outfits for whatever you may need. Whether you’re running around on the pickle ball court or running after your kids at the Splash Pad or simply lounging at the beach or pool. This pattern has you covered!

5 Separates To Chose From

• Tennis/Swim Dress
• Tankini Top
• Sports Bra
• Briefs
• Bike Shorts

AND….

• Designed for knit fabrics
• Something for Everyone!
• Built in Sports bra for the dress and tankini
• Full Bust Option (YAY!)
• Bike shorts have a gusset panel AND side pockets!
• Amazingly simple to sew
• Modest curved front neckline
• Level: Confident Beginner

Sizing and Fit

The Clearwater Essentials are available in sizes XS-5X. A Full Bust pattern piece is included (like all new and updated LN patterns). Choose your dress, tank or sports bra size based upon your high bust measurement. If in-between sizes choose the smaller size.  If your full bust is more than 4″ larger than your high bust, use the included Full Bust Front pattern piece. Remember that if you use the full bust pattern pieces, 2″ will be added to the Finished Measurements of the waist and hip.

For the briefs and shorts, choose your size based upon your hip measurement. Grade larger or smaller for your waist if needed.

Do not be confused by the finished garment measurements. It’s import to remember that swimwear/activewear will negative ease in order to fit properly. (Hence one of the reasons I suggest a muslin-trial garment)

All Love Notions patterns are drafted for the average 5’5″ woman. 

My Sizing Alterations and Modifications

For my swim dress, I made an XL graded to a 2X hip. My high bust measurement is 40″ and my full bust is 45″, so I used the full bust pattern pieces.

My first version, I made no other modifications other than grading out for my hips. I used a piece a swim fabric I had in my stash that was a misprint~ so it was perfect to use for my trial run. I didn’t photograph this dress, as I didn’t finish it. I sewed just enough to that I could check the sizing ~ the fabric isn’t really wearable, so I wanted to get right to work on my final version.

After trying on this first version, I realized I needed to make some adjustments for my bust. The full bust pattern piece gave me plenty of room for my bust, but because I am rather busty (38DDDD), the weight of my bust was pulling the neckline lower and creating a gaping under the arm. I pulled up the straps at the shoulder and basted them in place. This did the trick~ such a simple solution! The shorter straps pulled my bust up~ and the neckline issue was solved. The shorter straps also created a smaller armscye which solved the underarm gaping. I was amazed at how simple it was to adjust this pattern to fit me!

For my final version(the one you see here), I made the XL with the FBA grade to a 2X hip. I shortened the straps (on both the dress AND sports bra) 1″ on both the front and back pieces. This means I took a total of 2″ off. Remember that I am only 5 feet tall, so changes are you may not need to shorten yours this much. If you do shorten your straps, check to make sure that the armscyes are not too high. You may need to scoop them out a bit to be more comfortable. Again, this is why a tester version is so important!

My shortened straps made my neckline circumference only 36″, so I used 34″ of elastic for the neckline. If you adjust your straps, your elastic should be about 2″ less than your neckline. Remember to shorten the armscye elastic as well, since shorter straps makes the armscye smaller. I made my elastic about an inch shorter than the required length.

I only took 1″ off the length before hemming my swim dress with a 1″ hem. This was the length I was comfortable with. I did not shorten the dress anywhere else, as I may be short, but I am not shortwaisted.

Fabrics and Notions

The Clearwater Summer Essentials pattern is designed for knit fabrics only. Light to medium weight fabrics with at least 40% 4-way stretch are needed. Look for fabrics sold as “Activewear” or “Swimwear” fabrics. These fabrics will give you the most success. Check the fabric content~ you should use fabrics that have at least a 10% spandex/elastine content. These will provide the best stretch and recovery.

Swim lining is required for some of the essentials. You can purchase a lining that is specifically designed for swim/active wear. You may also use your main swim fabric as lining, but it is a tad thicker.

Compression or power knit can also be used for the bra lining. This will give the best support(if you need it).

Notions

• Thread
• 1″ knit elastic for the bra lining
• 3/8″ swim elastic for the sports bra, tankini, dress and briefs.

Sew Mary Mac’s Tip for Sewing the Clearwater Swim Dress(or Tankini Top)

• Make a muslin!
• When trying on your muslin, do NOT wear a bra. This really affects the way your swim dress/top fits. This is especially true if you are larger busted like me. For example, when wearing a bra, the shoulder straps fit fine. Once I took off my bra, it was clear I needed to adjust the straps. The weight of a larger bust pulls the front down.
• Don’t skip the optional topstitching on Page 8, Step 1. It really elevates the look of your dress/top.
• Page 9, Step 5~ make sure you are placing the elastic in the seam allowance and not past your stitching.
• Mark 1/4 points on the elastic AND the neck edge. Then match 1/4 points and pin, then sew as directed. This will help the elastic gathering to be even around the neckline. (Like you would for a neckband)
• Page 9, Step 7~ Topstitch as close as you can to the elastic. I really took my time stitching this. I went slow and used my finger tips to feel for the edge of the elastic~ getting my topstitching as close as I possibly could. If you stitch too far out, you will have trouble turning your garment later in Step 10.
• Page 10, Step 10~ When stitching the elastic to the armscye, begin and end 3/8″ away from the end. This will reduce bulkiness when the side seams are stitched.

Tips for Sewing With Swim Fabrics

• Cut accurately. Swim fabrics can be slippery. A rotary cutter and pattern weights may be the best way to go with swim knits.
• Sew with polyester thread. This thread will hold up to choline and salt better than cotton threads.
• Skip the iron! It’s so easy to melt synthetic swim fabric. Try “finger pressing” or use a nice thick press cloth with steam if you must iron.
• Don’t stretch or pull your fabric while sewing. This will affect the final result and fit of your garment.
• Use a stretch stitch such as a zigzag, triple zigzag or lightening bolt stitch. Check your machine manual for other stretch stitches your machine may have.
• Make sure to use the right needle! Some people sew swim with a basic ball point(jersey)needle that is used for knits. You may find that a STRETCH needle may work better for you. Stitch needles are recommended for fabrics with a higher spandex content. If you are getting skipped stitches, give this needle a try.
• Use ball point pins to prevent tiny hole and snags to your fabric.
• Test your machine/stitches on your fabric to find the best stitch to use. Make sure your stitching isn’t stretching out your seams as you sew.

If you really want to take a deep drive into learning to sew with swim fabrics, I suggest visiting this blog post my friend Whitney wrote for Raspberry Creek Fabrics. She is the queen of sewing swimwear! Her blog post is filled with everything you need to know about supplies and sewing swim! Visit that blog post HERE.

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Thanks for stopping by! I truly appreciate all of you that visit!  If you enjoyed this blog post, consider subscribing to my blog to stay up to date with all my posts!  I have another piece of swim fabric on the way~ so I’ll add photos of that one once it’s sewn up!

Mary Anne 🙂

Remember to follow me over on Instagram to see all my latest makes!  @sewmarymac

You can also follow my Facebook Page~ Sew Mary Mac. On this page you will find information on my makes from all pattern companies. If I know of any good sales(pattern or fabric) I will also feature this information. I have had many of my loyal followers send me friend requests on Facebook. I do post in the Love Notions group under Mary Anne MacLean, however this Facebook account is private. There is no sewing content on that Facebook Account.

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You can grab the Clearwater pattern HERE.

This is an affiliate link. It costs you nothing to purchase from this link, it just helps fund my fabric addiction which allows me to test and review more patterns.

To receive an additional 10% off the pattern price, use this coupon code 10MARYMAC.This coupon code can be used at anytime on any pattern….even a $5 Feature Friday pattern.  My code does change quarterly, so please always check the newest blog post for an update if you find a code isn’t working.

Fabric Resources

This Navy Rose Vine Floral Swim knit fabric was gifted to me from Raspberry Creek Fabrics for the release of the new pattern. This print is available at retail price, which is $14.70 per yard. All fabrics are sold by the half yard. You can find this exact fabric HERE. Edited: This is from the 2024 Swim Collection (when this blog post was written). This exact fabric my be available soon as a custom print. Don’t be sad~ there are thousands of others to choose from!

Raspberry Creek Fabrics Swim is high quality and UPF 50+. It’s the perfect weight for tops and dresses and isn’t too clingy. And of course- it’s perfect for swimsuits! The best thing about RCF Swim is that it is available in the cutest prints with coordinating checks, stripes, polka dots and solids!  I also find RCF swim easy to sew with. It’s thick enough that the edges don’t roll and isn’t too slippery

RCF has a large selection of swim fabrics to choose from. You can see the entire swim collection HERE. You can also select any of the thousands of designs in the Designer Library to be printed on swim. I just ordered 4 custom prints for more Tinley Skorts. (They are my favorite thing to wear for bike riding and pickle ball.)

I love sewing with RCF swim fabrics. It is by far my favorite swim fabric to sew with. I love it for LDT dresses, Tinley skorts, and Constellation pullovers. Below are a few examples.

Additional Fabric Resources For Swim Fabric

I have personally ordered fabrics from the online companies listed below. They all carry swim fabrics.

• Surge Fabrics
• Boho Fabrics
• Stylemaker Fabrics

There are many more shops that sell swim fabrics, but I haven’t personally ordered from them. You can find more recommendations in the Love Notions Facebook Group