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Stinger Suit Zipper Hack

Sewing the Zipper Into the Back of the Neckline

The lovely Samantha Wolgast from Little Jem Handmade has been sending me the most beautiful photographs of suits that she has been making from our Stinger Suit pattern, with the zip inserted up the back.

If you would like to keep a copy of this tutorial for later use, please download a copy here. (Works from desktop-only!)

The tutorial has also been added to the files menu of our Sewing Group.

I know many of you out there have been wanting to be able to do this also. I asked Samantha if she would be able to capture some pics of the process the next time she made one and put a few instructions with them, so that you can see how she does it and be able to follow along and make some of your own.

Samantha was only too pleased to do this for us and therefore I hope you enjoy reading and following along with her instructions below. We hope to see your own creations, using these instructions, in the near future either on our Facebook Group or tag me @sewbypatternpieces via your Instagram account.

Sammantha’s Instructions

So, I am sure we’ll get stuck into our sewing projects to while away the time while we are in isolation. I have been asked several times by my customers if I could do a stinger suit (awesome sun protection!) with the zipper at the back!

Well sure why not I said hahahaha…. Surely it can’t be that hard……well guess what? It isn’t hard at all! If you have already made a stinger suit you should find this super easy to do….

Grab your pattern & check measurements of the child you are making it for & work out the best size. (all sizing info and how to work out the mixing of sizes to get the perfect fit instructions are included in your stinger suit pattern).
For my model I made a straight size 8.

Gather all your pattern pieces…. For the collar, you will need to make a basic adjustment. Grab some paper or pattern trace & take your collar piece and re-draw making the curved ends into a straight rectangle piece adding a further 1/4″ or 6mm each side, see pic below.

Cut out the collar piece but leave the zipper cover for the moment.

Now following the original instructions from the stinger suit prepare your BACK piece for the zipper… I like to draw on my lines with a sewing pen. See pics below.

For this suit I made the zipper about 10cm longer than what would have been needed for the front. The back neck is higher than the front and extra is also required for the zip to reach to the top of the collar.

I drew the mark at the end of the pattern piece adding the extra, then drew on the lines.

Now you are ready to proceed just like you would any other stinger suit, do not forget to sew in your little tab at the base of the zip as described in the purchased instructions.

After you have sewn the front & back pieces together you will need to attach your NEW collar piece (it should be a rectangle) The end of the collar should line up with the edges of the zip insertion spot on your back piece. Sew on your collar matching the centre fronts together.

Now you are ready to insert your zip. Make sure that the top of the zipper sits nicely to the top of your collar.

You now need to add your zipper guard & top stitch (same as the original pattern) you will need to add extra length, to the zipper guard, so re-measure how long you will need. Finish off inserting & top stitching your zip.

Now complete the rest of your suit following the instructions, and you are done!

Thank you so much to Samantha for this awesome tutorial.

If you would like to purchase a copy of the original pattern you are welcome to visit our store. The Stinger Suit is available in both Ladies and Girls Sizes.

Shop for Pattern: Girls Pattern HERE Ladies Pattern HERE

Instagram Hashtag: #stingerbodysuitpdfpattern #sewbypatternpieces

Tester Inspiration: Girls Blog Post Link Ladies Blog Post Link

Pinterest Page: Girls HERE Ladies HERE

30/04/2020
Ladies Stinger Bodysuit Tester Round Up

Katrina Dingly

It is with much excitement today that I share with you the Ladies Stinger Bodysuit Tester Round Up. This style has all the same options as the girl’s stinger suit but with the added option of cup sizes.

The Ladies Stinger Bodysuit is a comfortable, skirted bodysuit with the option of sleeveless, short, 3/4, or long sleeves. You also have the option of 1pc or 2 pc.

A wide range of sizes have been made and are included in this pattern are as follows: AU 6-26, US 2-22, EU 32-52 and cup sizes A through G.

This style has been on my to do list for a number of years as it is a style I have personally been wanting to make.

This pattern has been tested in all available sizes and cup sizes and fits like a dream when all size measurements have been adhered to on the chart. There are ladies out there that have not been able to wear one-pieces for years and now due to the fact that they can sew, and because of all the sizes available to them in this pattern they can confidently head to the water looking so good. A A fact that makes me so happy!

I am so proud to say that ladies that had a real fear of sewing zips and especially into stretch have now mastered the art and are so happy with their finished projects.

The written instructions guide you through every step of the zipper installation, with links to step by step video tutorials. Making zipper installation into stretch super easy to master.

Now for you to see all the wonderful suit these lovely ladies have made across all sizes I present you with the Ladies Stinger Bodysuit Tester Round Up.

Aimee Louise

Ali Gadsby

Amy Hodge

Brooke Ashcroft

Jacqueline Evans Bledsoe

Janette Barnes

Jennifer Williams

Katy L Geyer

Nicole Jupp

Rachel Harris

Rachel Harris

Sarah Mumford

Synthia Lee Gerritson

Tai Xie

Teri Roberts

These ladies all look so fantastic in their new suits. I hope that you have loved seeing all the options available to you in this pattern. Are you in the market to make a Ladies Stinger Bodysuit, that will protect you in the Summer heat?

Shop for Pattern: HERE

Instagram Hashtag: #stingerbodysuitpdfpattern #sewbypatternpieces

Pinterest Page: HERE

04/12/2019
Girls Stinger Bodysuit Tester Round Up

Cover by Tanya Karolia

It is with much excitement today that I share with you the Girls Stinger Bodysuit Tester Round Up. We have many style options included in this pattern. It is a comfortable, skirted bodysuit with the option of sleeveless, short, 3/4, or long sleeves. You also have the option of 1pc or 2 PC. The sizes included in the Girls Stinger Bodysuit PDF Pattern are from 1-14.

Fabrics for this release have been sponsored by the Fabrics by Missy Rose

Fabric and Notion Requirements:

50% 4-way stretch knit fabric blend containing Lycra/elastane/spandex. Chunky Plastic Zip – 5mm Width – Open or Closed End
Video tutorials to shorten zip from the top or the bottom included.
Magic Tape or “Sew Easy” Wash Away Quilters Tape
(Dissolvable) 1/4”-5/16” or 6mm-8mm
Leghole and Armhole Elastic 3/8” or 10mm
Crop Top and Swim Pant Turnover Waist 3/4” or 20mm
Crop Top and Swim Pant Waistband Elastic 1” or 25mm

To make a Girls Stinger Bodysuit just takes one step further than making a plain swimsuit. The Zip! You need not be afraid of inserting a zip. You just need to get hold of some wash away tape. Using this tape to hold the zip will make sewing a breeze. If you join our Facebook Sewing Group you will see a post, with this picture, where members have shared where they get their tape or zips from. There are many places online where you can buy Wash Away Tape from and have it sent right to your door.

We have found zips in both Spotlight and Lincraft and some of these stores carry the tape also. In the instructions of the pattern, there are video links, showing you how to shorten your zips if too long and another to help you sew the zip into your garment, using the wash away tape.

Be prepared to be blown away by our tester’s gorgeous makes. They have gone all out with fabrics, photography, and look at those zipper installations. Such perfection!

Linda Stilling

Alana McGregor

Brooke Ashcroft

Shannon McCracken

Laurie McDonnell

Fea Stephens

Fea Stephens

Janette Barnes

Abbie Daniels

Shannon Gates Thomsen

Rachel Harris

Ellen Green

Katty Klatty

Lauren Wernli

Lauren Wernli

Amy Hodge

Amy Hodge

Sarah Castleman

Sarah Castleman

Samantha Wolgast

Samantha Wolgast

Samantha Wolgast

Jenny Walker

Shop for Pattern: HERE

Instagram Hashtag: #stingerbodysuitpdfpattern #24200stingerbodysuit

Pinterest Page: HERE

06/09/2019
Ladies Zip-It Good Rashie Set Tester Round Up
Samantha Wolgast

I will always be very thankful for the effort testers go to, to help me sew and check the fit of the patterns, look over and give suggestions for the instructions, and then help promote the new styles on social media.

For the Ladies Zip-It Good Rashie Set it was no different. Firstly, what does this pattern include? This pattern is brimming with options.
- Zip front closure,
- Plain or frilled hem,
- Fitted body,
- Flutter, puff, short, 3/4, long sleeve options.
- Swim pant,
- Leggings with 5 length options.
This pattern comes in a wide range of sizes, but the most exciting detail is that it comes with front pattern pieces specially made for cup sizes A through G.

AU 6-26, US 2-22, EU 32-52.

All pattern pieces are computer-generated, color-coded, and layered so you can choose to print the actual sizes you require.



These are a few of the lovely versions of the leggings and swim pants that our fabulous testers made in the first part of the test.

Hannah Bnana

Brooke Ashcroft

Hannah Bnana

Kylie Pollard

Synthia Lee Gerritson

What I love about making my own rashies is being able to use the gorgeous fabrics that are available on the market. I cannot understand why we need to settle for plain black, white, and navy when we visit the stores.

To make a rashie all it takes is one step further than making a t-shirt. The Zip! You need not be afraid of inserting a zip. You just need to get hold of some wash away tape. Using this tape to hold the zip will make sewing a breeze. If you join our group you will see a post with this picture where members have shared where they purchase their tape from. There are many places online where you can buy it and have it sent right to your door. In the pattern, there are two video links. One to help you shorten your zip if it is too long and another to help you sew it into your garment using the wash away tape to hold it.

Next, the zips. They are also easy to get hold of to sew your garment. In Australia, both Spotlight and Lincraft have a great selection. The zips used are just a standard 50cm or 19 5/8″ open-ended chunky 5mm or 1/4″ zips. Have a search online if you cannot purchase from your closest store.

In the weeks to follow, we tested Ladies Zip-It Good Rashie Set and wow what an array of gorgeous results we had.

Ladies Zip-It Good Rashie Set Tester Round Up

Amy Hodge

Brooke Ashcroft

Fea Stephens

Krystol ithomitis

Michelle Ball Johnson

Hannah Bnana

Synthia Lee Gerritson

Shannon Gates Thomsen

Megs Eksolk

Rachael Harris

Jess Norris

Stacey Kay

One of my long time testers Alison had a brain wave and decided to try out the band from our Glamour Swirl Skirt on the Swim Pants. They look awesome and were able to be added to the pants with no adjustments necessary to the band or pants. She just popped them straight on.

You can find the free file to this pattern in the “Files” section of our Group. If you choose to join this is the link HERE

Linda Stilling

One of the most beautiful times of our lives is being able to breastfeed and this can be difficult when you are near the water. One of our testers remedied this with the use of her Ladies Zip-It Good Rashie. How cool is this? The zip front allows the ability to breastfeed while in your swimsuit.

Robyn Buchbach

If you are in love with the makes you have seen and wish to make a Mummy and Me version you are also able to purchase the pattern as a bundle. Yes, we have this same pattern in girls’ sizes. From size 1-14 youth. Here are some fun pics of Mum’s with their little ones in pieces from the Girls version of the Zip-It Good Rashie Set.

Don’t forget you also can add a fun frill to your rashie. It looks so adorable!

So are you wanting to have a summer where you can head to the water for the day and not come home sunburnt? Ready to bite the bullet and make your own?

Shop for Pattern: HERE

Instagram Hashtag: #zipitgoodrashieset #ladieszipitgoodrashieset

Pinterest Page: HERE
07/06/2019
Girls Zip It Good Rashie Set Tester Round Up

Tanya Karolia

Get ready for cuteness overload in this Girls Zip It Good Rashie Set Tester Round Up. Our pattern testers have sewn up a storm putting together these gorgeous zip front rashies in the hope they can keep their little ones burn free this summer.

Such a huge selection of options are available in this pattern. You could make a different option of rashie every year, for years to come. On top of these options shown here, there is the option to add a frill on the hem as well.

Amy Hodge

Alice Blackmore

Fea Stephens

Fea Stephens

Linda Stilling

Michelle Ball Johnson

The written instructions guide you through every step of the zipper installation, with links to step by step video tutorials. Making zipper installation into stretch super easy to master.

Tanya Karolia

Sarah Mumford

Carmen West

Helen Currie

It does not matter what the age. Frills look so sweet on both long sleeves or short sleeves. You have the choice to add cuffs or turn up the hem on the sleeves.

When you have such fair skin and there is the risk of stingers in the water a pair of leggings come in really handy at the beach. The swim pants can be worn underneath if you do not wish to line the leggings.

Karen Fildes

Kristy Fleischmann

Nabilah Razif

Shannon McClain

Yvonne Pyke

Shannon McCraken

Weren’t they just the cutest photos to scroll through? Are you ready to make your kids burn free this summer with a Girls Zip It Good Rashie Set as well?

Shop for Pattern: HERE

Instagram Hashtag: #zipitgoodrashieset #zipitgoodrashie

Pinterest Page: HERE

17/12/2018
Stinger bodysuit vintage ruffle hack

Sew a stretch ruffle

Today I am very excited to show you my latest sewing project. Stinger bodysuit vintage ruffle hack. From the time that I created this pattern, my daughter’s friends have quite vocally let me know they wanted one as well. Slowly the whole group of them are getting one to wear, this is the 10th Stinger Suit that I have had the pleasure to sew.

The image above shows the finished swimsuit, however, it does look like it needs a little more to complete the look in this fabric and we have decided it needs a ruffle on the hem. So today I am going to show you how to add a ruffle to the Stinger Bodysuit, which can be utilized on any project made from Lycra.

1. Firstly, measure the hem of the area you will be adding the ruffle to.

2. Next cut the strips to be ruffled at 1 1/4″ or 3cm wide.   These strips need to be cut with the longest measurement going from selvage to selvage 2 1/2 times the garment length measured. The total circumference of fabric required was too long for the width of fabric, so I cut 2 1/2 times the front for the front strip and 2 1/2 times the back for the back strip.

3.  Now run a gathering stitch along the left and right edge of our strips of fabric. Start by putting your machine on the longest straight stitch possible. Then line up the right edge and sew 3/8″ or 1cm in from the edge, as shown below.

4. Next with the left side under the pressure foot sew the second row of gathering, again this is done 3/8″ or 1cm in from the edge, as shown below.

5. Now pull up the gathering stitches on your strips of fabric, pulling on the bobbin threads only. Pull the threads so that they gather evenly along the length and check that they now measure the correct length to fit onto the area you wish for them to attach to.

6. Next, change your machine to a wide zig-zag stitch, or in this case I used a 3 step zig zag. The reason you will use a zig-zag is because the ruffle is being added onto stretch fabric and if we use a straight stitch it will be more prone to cracking or getting damaged if the area is pulled whilst being worn.

7. Pin your ruffle to the area that you are attaching it to.  To begin sewing place the ruffle under the foot of the machine and let 3/8″ or 1cm overlap the side seam of the skirt. Start your sewing 3/8″ or 1cm in from the strip of edge.

Ensure you are sewing your row of zig-zag in the centre of the ruffle strip and do not stretch the skirt as you sew.

8. This how it should look once sewn.

9. This is what the reverse side of the skirt looks like. With the ruffle slightly showing as it covers the raw edge of the skirt.

10. Next place and pin the ruffle to the back of the skirt.

11. To begin sewing the ruffle onto the back tuck the back ruffle under the front 3/8″ or 1cm overlap and continue using your zig-zag to attach.

12. Remove all your gathering stitches and yippee you are done! Easy as that! Now you will want to start ruffling everything in sight.

The complete Stinger Suit can be made by following the instructions that come with the pattern.  If you would like to make this suit without a skirt, instructions to eliminate it also come with the pattern. How cute is this fabric?

Photo supplied by Laurie McDonnell from Hannah’s Daisy

You can also visit the Sew by Pattern Pieces Sewing Circle to ask questions or gather more sewing inspiration. Thank you for your time today and happy sewing!

Ready to make your own?

Shop for Pattern: Girls Pattern HERE Ladies Pattern HERE

Instagram Hashtag: #stingerbodysuitpdfpattern #sewbypatternpieces

Tester Inspiration: Girls Blog Post Link Ladies Blog Post to come

Pinterest Page: Girls HERE Ladies HERE

20/04/2016

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