I don’t know about where you are, but it’s starting to feel like summer here! As such, I thought it was about time I blogged this Jalie 3350 One-Piece Swimsuit that I made nearly 2 years ago… Oops…

The Fabric

I found this amazing avocado swim print on Mood Fabrics’ website and just knew it would make a great swimsuit. While I have made a swimsuit before, I wanted a simple-ish one piece to show off the print (and to cover up for long days on the river). During the summer of 2020, we were doing quite a bit of kayaking so it was good to have the UPF. I decided on the Jalie 3350 pattern as I had already made the Cottesloe from Megan Nielsen and wanted to try something new.

I did opt to line the swimsuit fully, using a white swim lining I already had on hand. I also used some pre-molded swim cups for extra coverage though I wouldn’t recommend the ones I used. This pattern would do better with a simple round cup sewn in, in my opinion. The ones I used have a spot where they come up to meet the strap. They don’t fit into the swimsuit very well and it’s quite fiddly. I honestly may rip them out at some point and find new ones.

The fabric itself is not my favorite texture. It is a bit rougher and firmer than other swim fabrics I have used but still does the job just fine. I would still buy another swim print from Mood if I were in the market for it and they had one I liked.

The Pattern

I chose the Jalie 3350 One Piece Swimsuit pattern for this project, and I think it was a good choice. I did leave off the midriff band under the bust, mostly because I hadn’t realized it was an overlay piece. I didn’t find it super necessary given that information, so I skipped it. It also would have broken up the fun avocado print even more, so I think it was a good choice.

I made size V, based on my measurements, but it came out a bit large. I had to take a bit in on the sides, but that was likely due to me skipping the grading between sizes that I should have done. It also feels a bit long. You can see in some of the pictures that it wrinkles horizontally across my waist. I have made several patterns that could have used a shortening of the bodice/midriff, though, so that may be my fault as well.

I did not make the cups removable as the instructions show. Personally, I HATE removable cups on anything and find them to be more of a pain than they’re worth. Next time, I will sew whatever cups I use into the bust lining pieces.

Conclusion

Would I make it again? Probably. I would consider doing two or three colors as the pattern photos show. I think it’s a fun touch. Would I recommend it? I think so. I feel like I was a bit confused on certain parts of the pattern, but I had deviated from the instructions a bit and I don’t know that it is entirely the pattern’s fault.

Whenever I try this pattern again, I’ll try to get my sizing right from the start so I don’t have so many issues. All in all, it’s a great swimsuit and I always get lots of compliments when I wear it! Hopefully, we can get it back out on the water soon! What fun things are you sewing for summer?