Cowrie Kini

I recently purchased the Cowrie Kini and made my very first swimsuit…only my first try! I was so impressed with the pattern and the instructions—I ended up with a wearable garment at the end and a whole lot of knowledge. It’s held up in the water and on the beach—the design is cute and the suit is secure. If you’re considering making your first swimsuit, this is a great pattern!

I was going on a tubing trip over the 4th of July and realized I had no bathing suit! I knew I had wanted this pattern for a while, so it seemed like the right time to try it out. I made one muslin for the bottoms, but other than that, I just went straight for it. It turned out great for my first bathing suit ever! Is it perfect - definitely not, but hey - it didn't fall apart on my tubing adventure. Would 100% recommend for a beginner to try because the instructions were great! I finished it in 2 days, could have probably done it in one if it was a weekend.

I was so intimidated my swimwear but this pattern is so easy to follow and so cute! Fits me perfectly.

The bikini looks very nice, basically on everyone I saw made it. I also looks very nice on me, so I'm happy with the result. However, I was surprised that the upper and lower top pieces are identical. I had expected some more shaping. After I finished it, indeed I noticed that the lower part was way too wide for me (note: I have relatively big boobs, but my underbust circumference is small, so that might play along). To solve that, I slashed the lower top piece and removed about 8cm total from the underbust. Now the top fits much better and feels more secure, but the total cup volume has decreased of course, In my next version I'll probably add a little room to the upper top piece.
Also the bottoms are cute VERY high so I removed some height by increasing the seam allowance of the crotch seam with a few cm.

Awesome design with one of the best instructions I've ever read in a sewing pattern. I am used to wearing more sporty styles with lots of coverage, but this one feels the most secure of all my bikinis. I made two blue sets right before my summer vacation and was very excited wearing them at the beach and jumping in the waves. The fit was great at first try. Because of the pattern using the vertical breast measurement I was able to select the two sizes for my quite different boobs and make pattern changes before cutting in my fabric. What I love is the finishing with the fold over elastic. It is my preferred style when sewing underwear and I enjoy the colorblocking options and the more playful and less "feminine" style compared to the swim- and underwear I usually see.
I will try to transform the pattern and make it into underwear since I am very pleased with the combo of high leg/high waist. For the top I think jersey underlined with powernet will work nicely. I also think about making another bikini in dark green with pale pink FOE although the summer is almost over. It really is a fun project to dive into and quite a quick make without the need for a serger/overlocker. 100% recommend!