Roxy and Mama Roxy
Mama Roxy and Roxy, part of our Mermaid Shores Collection, are two of the cutest two piece swim patterns you’ll find! The top features options for a bikini, short peplum, or long peplum, while the bottoms include ruched front or simple high waisted bottoms. My favorite part about Roxy is how easy it is to mix and match for lots of different looks:
Feeling inspired already? Take a look at some of our favorite hacks and mashes below for even more swim ideas!
Gathered Skirt or Ruffle Hack
The new Roxy pattern is complete perfection. I am in awe of the many options this adorable pattern offers, and have made several Roxy swimsuits already. My little girl loves the Roxy too. She adores that this pattern features a peplum! For her latest Roxy, I decided to switch the look up a little bit, so we added a gathered skirt instead of using the circle peplum. This look is so adorable and so easy to do! Below, I have written out the steps I took to achieve this look. since I wanted you all to be able to create this version too!
You will want to have your bodice mostly constructed. You will have completed step 5 in the tutorial when you are ready to pick up with this blog post. To get the length of the skirt needed for your daughter, you can measure the fold line on the peplum pattern piece and use that length. Or, if you wanted a shorter or longer skirt, you could try the bodice on her and measure down to where you would like the skirt to hit. Just make sure to account for the 3/8″ seam allowance if you choose to obtain your length measurement this way. For the width of the skirt, measure your bodice and multiply that number by 2. If you want a ruffle, do 1.5″ times 2 times the bodice width.
You will want to cut two skirt pieces. Sew the two skirt pieces together at the short ends using either a serger or a stretch stitch on a regular sewing machine.. Then add two rows of gathering stitches. I like to gather 1/4″ from the top, and then again 1/2″ down from the top, to ensure I sew right in between the gathers.
After the gathering stitches are in place we are going to quarter both the bodice and the skirt. To do so, just match the side seams and place a pin at the middle point. Note, the side seams are quarter points.
You will place your skirt over your bodice with the right sides touching and the straps facing down next. Match and pin the quarter points of both the skirt and bodice.
Pull your gathering stitches and baste the skirt to the bodice.
We will be adding elastic to the bodice hem. This will help the suit stay in place as your little one plays. To determine the length of elastic needed, use the bikini hem measurement in the cutting chart. Create a loop by zig zag stitching the elastic piece. Quarter the elastic and skirt. Make sure the bodice and skirt are still right sides together. Match and pin the quarter points of the skirt and elastic.
Zig zag stitch or serge to attach the elastic to the skirt. Just make sure to disengage your knife if you use your serger, as you do not want to cut off the elastic.
Remove your gathering stitches. Helpful hint: I find it easiest to remove the gathering stitches by removing them from the wrong side of the skirt. Enjoy your new gathered skirt Roxy peplum!
The Allie leg ruffle also looks adorable on the Roxy! Use the Allie tutorial to add a little extra sweetness to your Roxy bottoms. –Amira
Roxy + Adeline Mash
I love a pattern that offers versatility, and in addition to having several great swimsuit options, the Roxy Swimsuit is a great one to use for a pattern hack. Below I have made a dress using an easy Roxy Swimsuit Dress Hack. Simply cut the bodice of the pattern out from a stretch knit fabric. For the dress pictured, I used a rayon spandex from So Sew English. I cut the lining out of the same fabric. Assemble the bodice according to the pattern, omitting all elastic. To create the skirt, simply cut out and attach a circle skirt in place of the peplum in the pattern. The M4M Adeline pattern would work well here. And, that’s it! You have yourself an easy to make (and comfortable to wear!) dress. The twirl factor on the circle skirt is great, and my daughter loves to spin and spin. –Shannon
Binding
I’m not sure if you’ve seen a cute, ready-to-wear swimsuit in your Facebook feed with a sweetheart neckline, but I know I have! It’s so similar to the new Roxy that I had to hack it to have a binding just like it.
First, since the binding will be higher than the original Roxy pattern, you’ll need to remove 3/8″ from the top of the front and back neckline. Make sure to transfer the pattern markings for the straps to your fabric.
Next, you’ll sew the front and back together, including the linings, as the Roxy tutorial states. Measure the total neckline and cut a binding at 1.75″ length x measured width of the neckline. Sew the short ends of the binding together with 1/4″ seam allowance to make a loop. Quarter the binding and the neckline. Align the binding to the neckline with right sides together.
Using the neckline elastic from the Roxy tutorial, attach the neckline elastic using 1:1 ratio on the front. Sew the neckline elastic with a 1/4″ seam allowance.
Fold the binding in 1/4 to meet the edge of the elastic and then fold it over again to enclose the elastic in the binding. Pin or clip the binding in place. Transfer the pattern markings for the strap placement to the binding.
Top stitch down the binding with a zig zag, twin needle, or coverstitch machine.
Now you’ll attach the straps. Gather the straps, according to the tutorial. Using the strap placement markings, place the right side of the straps to the wrong side of the top at the inside.Attach straps with a stretch stitch. I used a triple stitch on my straps.
I’m Anna and I hope that you enjoyed my hack today to add binding to the neckline of the Roxy pattern to add some fun detail! –Anna
Removable Bra Cups
If you are like me and add swim cups to every suit you make (and also make a ton of suits!), the cost of these can add up tremendously! I have found cups I like from Amazon for about $3 a pair, but after purchasing 15 pairs already, I decided it was time to try making suits with removable cups to spread the cost out a little bit! I also know some specialty cup sizes can be quite pricey, so being able to use one pair with multiple suits is a great option! Basically, to add removable cups, you just need to create a little pocket consisting of two layers of lining to stick the cups into. This hack works for both Alexandria and Mama Roxy!
To start, you’ll need to cut your main and lining fabrics as usual, and then for this hack you will need to cut a second lining piece. You will see for both patterns that my second lining piece is a little shorter. I cut my cup lining piece at the bust elastic line to give an easy visual of where to sew my elastic onto.
You will need to create an opening for the cup to slip into. Make sure to cut this opening big enough to slip your cups into. (I roll my cups up to make it easier to slide it in, but remember if your cups are larger you may need to create a larger opening to fit them into). Also, keep in mind seam allowance and adding the top elastic when cutting your opening. You’ll want it big enough that it won’t get enclosed in the top elastic when you attach and top stitch that.
After you have cut your corners off, you will want to baste your two lining layers together. The openings you just created will need to be against your skin to get the cups in and out, so that will become the right side of your lining. You will want to baste along the bottom of the cup lining, around the top bumps, then along the sides, being sure to keep those openings wide open! Lastly, you will want to run a line of stitching (stretch stitch) down the center of the pieces. This further holds the pieces together, but also creates separation for you cups so they don’t slide around. For Alexandria, you won’t need the center stitching as they are two separate pieces to begin with; you’ll just want to baste around the bust elastic line and sides/diagonal there.
From here, you will attach your bust elastic along the bottom line of basting stitches, remembering that the openings are the right side of the lining and then continue assembling as usual.
Once complete, you can insert your cups and enjoy the the suit! Happy Sewing! –Jody
Halter Ties & Skinny Straps
Anyone else think about tan lines in the summer? I am constantly thinking about my crazy tan lines, so I love a thin strap on a swim suit! I especially love a halter strap, as I can undo it while I’m just sitting at the beach reading my book so I won’t have any funky tan lines. Roxy is the perfect pattern to add halter ties to, and it’s so quick and easy, you are going to want to make a bunch! Let’s get started.
Cut all your pieces for your Roxy as normal, with the exception of the straps. Instead you are going to cut 2 halter ties from the chart below:
Do you need more support from halter ties? No problem at all! You can add elastic into your straps. For another option, you can make skinny halter straps. Instead of cutting per the Mama Roxy chart, cut the width at 1.5″, and add 3/8″ elastic into the straps to add additional support. Did you scoop up Mama Alexandria with the swim collection? If so, take a look at the advanced construction for the straps in the Alexandria pattern! This is another great way to make your straps! Want those straps wider? Again, no problem at all add some width! The great thing about straps is they are really easy to adjust; you can make them skinnier or wider to suite your preference!
Begin sewing up your Roxy as instructed but stop before you sew up any straps! We are going to sew our halter ties together with a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Fold the ties in half right sides together, and sew along one short side and all the way down the long side, then turn your straps right side out with a tube turner or other turning tool.
Now using the front pattern as a guide, place your ties where your strap markings are. I suggest basting your straps in place and trying it on to make sure you like your strap placement. Once you are happy with where your straps are, sew them in place using a 3/8″ seam allowance with right sides together.
Now, maybe you have decided that a halter is not for you; that’s OK!! For the skinny straps, I used the Roxy straps as a guide for length; I sewed my straps on straight and had to cut off just a bit of length. I recommend using the Mama Roxy/Roxy strap placement line closest to the center back and front for placement, or else your front may gape in the center. Remember to BASTE first!! Everyone is going to be a bit different for length and strap placement; you really don’t want to have to unpick those straps, believe me I know 😉 Have fun and play with the straps, you can criss-cross the straps, or maybe even a double strap; with so many options, you could make a ton of Roxy separates to mix and match!
From here, you will continue following the pattern tutorial to add your elastic to the neckline and then finish the bottom with a peplum, or with elastic if you are doing the bikini option. Now slip that cute halter top on and head straight to the beach so everyone can be jealous of your awesome Roxy halter top! Make sure to snap and picture and share on our facebook page as well. – Angela
Be sure to check out the complete Mermaid Shores collection, and don’t forget to share your new swim makes in our Facebook group! We can’t wait to see what you create!
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