Free Pattern Friday: Jace Swimsuit Top / Bikini Top for Adults

Welcome to my monthly 'Free Pattern Friday' feature, where I road test a free sewing pattern or tutorial: sometimes a children's one, sometimes an adult's one. I try to publish these posts every first Friday of the month, timed to provide inspiration for those who plan to get their sew on over the weekend. I firmly believe that, if you pick your projects carefully, sewing doesn't have to be a crazy-expensive way to clothe yourself and your family. Thanks to all the amazing pattern designers who have offered up their hard work for us to enjoy for free.

So I've been doing this Free Pattern Friday series for a longgggg time (like, nine years or something?), but I think an adult swimsuit pattern is a first! How cool that?! After all this time, I can find a pattern type that has a free version that I want to make. Anyways, I'm determined to spend more time at the beach and in the sea this year than last year. Which really won't be hard because I don't think I went in once in 2025, despite living only a twenty minute walk away from the sea. 

I think that mix and match swimswear separates make sense, and if I make any pieces that are too small, I can pass them onto my big kid easily enough. This particular pattern, the Jace Top by Edgewater Ave, has multiple pay-what-you-feel options as well the option to pay nothing. Thanks to Edgewater Ave for making this pattern accessible to sewists with any amount of disposable income. 

(image source: Edgewater Ave)

Pattern type: 

The Jace top is a bralette style bikini top that is potentially-fully reversible, depending on what you use to line it. The pattern comes as a downloadable PDF file that can be printed on a home printer (it is not a layered file). There is no written tutorial, only a video tutorial to show how to construct it. The video includes the basic method, plus a version that includes an under band. I chose to include the under band for a more supportive top. An option to create this  including removable cups is mentioned in the video but not shown explicitly. 

Sizing info: 

This pattern has been graded from XS to XXL, which translates to 30" to 42" bust. My bust measurement sat on the cusp of the S and M sizes. I picked the latter and I'm pleased with my choice. Different swimsuit fabrics might be more or less stretchy, so that might effect your size selection. 

Fabric info:

Swimsuit fabric is the only info given, which is fair enough in this instance! You could use two different swimsuit fabrics to make a reversible version, although I think you're always going to see a bit of the other fabric peaking out around the edges. You could use self fabric for both layers (the same fabric for both), which would probably feel nice and secure, especially if you included the under band. I was using the very last piece of some swimsuit fabric I scored from an old job about thirteen years ago, and I only had enough for one layer. I used some beige coloured swimsuit/lingerie lining that I had in my stash to line it. 

You also need swimwear elastic for the straps, and for the under band if you're choosing to include that. I used 1cm rubber elastic for the straps, and 2cm elastic for the band. 

Findings:

The pattern file itself was easily accessed and professional. I don't entirely understand why you have to print out a whole front and back piece, rather than halves to be cut on the fold, but I get that whole pattern pieces are not uncommon in swimwear making. 

But I'll be honest with you, I really would have appreciated written instructions instead of, or as well as,  the video tutorial. There were lots of parts of the video that weren't really necessary (like watching the maker cut every pattern piece out of their fabric and sew every seam on their overlocker/serger), and skipping forward to the useful bits was tricky because it wasn't clear when something relevant and useful (like the length you're meant to cut the straps) is being said in the voice over. It also would have been really useful if the side seam construction part was shown in real time rather than sped up. I struggled to see what was going on in that section and had to rewind it a bunch of times. I wonder how a beginner sewer would have got on with that. 

I must admit that I was skeptical about how secure this top would feel without any elastic attached to the neckline edge or armholes, but actually it feels fine. I did find the straps to be a bit too long, perhaps 2cm or so too long for my body, and because of the clean construction method, it's likely to create a bit of a mess if I were to alter their length now it's done so I'll probably leave them as is. 

I made two changes to the construction method. Firstly, I added some understitching along the back and the front neckline to prevent the lining from peaking out. And secondly, I didn't like the method suggested for adding the band so I went rogue there. I basted the outer and lining layers together along the bottom edge, then constructed the band and inserted the elastic into it, basting those together. THEN I attached the band to the bottom edge of the top with an overlocker, going through all the layers and securing the elastic in place. 

Customisation ideas:

• Cut this pattern out in jersey and use it to make a bralette or sports bra style top
• Apply a ruffle to the neckline or straps
• Create seam lines and create a colour blocked effect
• Try applying elastic vertically at the centre front to create ruching and a sweetheart neckline

Would I make it again?

Very likely! It was a quick and pleasing make. I could imagine getting really into swimwear making and Edgewater Ave have a LOT of interesting styles worth trying.