Jamanota Swimsuit – Dare to Line it

Reviewed by kncummings31 on 4th June, 2021

This is the second swimsuit I have sewn from Opian and as with the other pattern, the design is simple and fast to sew.

However, the swimsuits are designed unlined and I think all swim wear should be lined. The difficulty in lining this pattern is the draped top. The edges are designed to be folded in  and the single layer does affect the draping. After reviewing several completed jamanota swimsuits on instagram, I noticed they revealed a lot. I  didn’t like the raw look of the tie as well.  I also wasn’t comfortable with showing that much through my swimsuit so I knew I had to modify it.

I lined the bottoms with nude lining by just basting it to the swim fabric and then I sewed it like a single fabric. As the top is open backed and doesn’t have much structure, I decided to double the fabric. The extra layer gives a bit of support and you can add swim cups between the layers and then tack them to the inner layer. I lined it by folding the top and bottom sides in and then I sewed the two pieces back to back. My end ties are a bit wider but I am grateful for the thickness.

My next issue for this pattern is the pattern goes to size 10 but the elastic measurements only go to size 8. Does this mean I am supposed to cut the elastic at a size 8 or try to figure out the right measurement? It also made me wonder why the pattern maker would give the measurements of every other size except size 9 and 10….do they not want anyone making it that big? I guessed at the measurement and then adjusted it to fit. I can tell you the size 8 elastic wouldn’t have been right so if you are sewing the 9 or 10, you will  have to figure out what works best for you.

I also found the pictures a bit cryptic in the pattern. For beginners, the pattern makers should make better pictures or make a youtube video. I had sewn a swimsuit before so I was ok but some people haven’t, they may buy this pattern because it looks easy and they wouldn’t be able to sew it with just the pattern.

I do like the end look but I wish Opian would design swimsuits to be lined, do all the measurements for the pattern, not just the smaller sizes and provide better pictures.