Minute Maillot by Patterns for Pirates

May 15, 2019

The temperatures are rising, the sun is shining more, and there’s a lot of buzz about summer vacations and swimming and spending time at the beach.  Which means there’s no better time than any to pull out those swim knits you’ve been stashing and make yourself a new suit!

Want a short lesson in swimwear?  The term “maillot” (which is pronounced like my-yo…think French pronunciations like Louis) was first used in the 1920’s fashion for a tight fitting, one-piece swimsuit.  It’s kind of not really been used in everyday terminology as of late, but the fashion world still throws it around a lot.  And most often it’s meaning a one-piece suit with high leglines, or plunging necklines, or some sort of sexy cutout.

::insert the “more you know” shooting star here::

To me, “Minute Maillot” means “one-piece unicorn swimsuit that makes everyone look like a bombshell but is super easy to put together”.  Because seriously.

The pattern includes a fully lined option, or you can do a bust + crotch lining only if you want to use those versions as well.  Doing it fully lined was such a breeze, which was the option I chose.  I wanted to see how I liked it without adding any bust support.  I have more fabric floating around (it’s purple, of course) to make another, and I plan on doing the bust support version…to see which I truly prefer.

But as far as one-piece suits go, this performs exactly as expected.  Except better, because one-piece suits are usually way too short in the waist for me and they fit like disaster suits.  Being able to add the length I needed made this such a comfortable thing to throw on!  I’m ready to take a dip for sure this summer.

I’m not going to lie, there is nothing more humbling or harder to share photos of than ones that include me in a swimsuit.  GAH.  So much anxiety goes into hitting that post button!  But I think it’s the same for all women, of all shapes and sizes.  We are all so critical of our own bodies that we forget that we are the only ones who sit and nit pick at every single flaw.

Have you watched Shrill on Hulu yet?  You probably need to.  It’s got the talented Aidy Bryant playing the lead of Annie, who is a confident, smart, beautiful woman who lives her life in a body that society tells her she should constantly be trying to change.  While it may be a little raunchy in parts, and has some fairly uncomfortable situations, I think it is so refreshing that this show exists.  Why can’t we just celebrate who we are and how we look?  At all times!!

The point of bringing up this show is that I suffer from my own body issues.  And sometimes putting on a suit (and then of course photographing myself in it) can be so detrimental to my emotional health.  One of the cool things that comes out of testing swimwear with our tester group is that ALL sizes, ALL shapes, and ALL of the women in those groups with us are willing to be vulnerable with us, and they all look incredible in their own skin.  If I can see how amazing they look and tell them how amazing they look, why can’t I start seeing those same things in myself and telling myself those things?

I’m working on it.  I promise.

So which options did I use specifically on this maillot of mine?  Low legline, mid neckline, mid backline, fully lined.

Which mix-and-match combo of a suit are you going to try with the Minute Maillot first?

Pattern: Minute Maillot by Patterns for Pirates
Fabric: Swim knit from Boho Fabrics

Disclosure: As always, you’ll find some affiliate links scattered within my post, which means I receive a small amount of compensation if you end up purchasing something I’ve recommended.  Keep in mind that I link these companies and their products because of their quality and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you.  Purchasing from my links does not alter the pricing in any way for you, it simply helps feed my sewing, creating and blogging habits.  Thank you for your support!

2 Comments

  1. Unhip in Brooklyn

    Lurker turned commenter here…. you look fantastic! Love the suit fabric and it does look great on you. I love seeing real people modeling their handmade swimsuits!

    Reply
    • Katy McKinley

      Aw. Thank you! The sewing community has opened up a lot of “modeling” opportunities for women of all shapes and sizes, and it’s really nice to see someone who looks like you, wearing something you might want to make for yourself.

      Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Welcome to Wild+Wanderful!  I’m Katy.
Momma. Wife. West Virginian.
Designer. 
Dreamer. Coffee Consumer.
DIY-er. 
Craft Beer Enthusiast.
Purple Obsessor. Lover of Handmade.

MILDLY WILD. MOSTLY WANDERFUL.

LATEST FREEBIES

My Sudoku Travel Capsule Wardrobe + FREE Interactive Sudoku Capsule Planner!

We are about to embark upon an epic family trip to Scotland and Ireland. I could not be more excited. It's all I can talk about. It's all I can think about. I'm just so fricken pumped. We are being true travelers during our trip, where we are constantly on the move...

The Little Wanderer Skirt | A Free PDF Sewing Pattern from Wild+Wanderful!

I'm excited to share that I've been able to update another pattern for y'all! The Little Wanderer skirt is the youth version of my beloved Wanderer Skirt pattern (which is also free). It's an adorable high/low half circle skirt with two hem lengths and optional...

Irish I Were Sewing :: FREE St. Patrick’s Day Themed Silhouette + Cricut Cut Files!

I've been super missing making fun themed outfits to wear. And I've been missing sharing fun cut files on here like I used to. So I remedied both of these things by creating a super fun St. Patrick's Day themed sewing design AND am giving it to you as a freebie on...

The Wanderer Skirt | A Free PDF Sewing Pattern from Wild+Wanderful!

I know, I know. You might be thinking: "Katy, didn't you release The Wanderer Skirt back in 2017?" Yes. I did. But it's been six years of learning how to draft and design and I really wanted to go back and give it a little facelift. So here we are! On the surface,...

The Snuggler Sweater | A Free PDF Sewing Pattern from Wild+Wanderful!

A sewing friend of mine sent me a photo of this adorable sweater, with no sleeve seam, a cross-over front and back, and a "batwing" style dolman sleeve. And I was obsessed with the idea of turning that rtw sweater into a sewing pattern. And that's what I did! Meet:...

Elffire Club :: FREE Stranger Things Inspired Silhouette + Cricut Cut Files!

I saw someone use my free Elf on the Shelf Clothing Pattern the other day for a Stranger Things Eddie / Hellfire Club outfit and immediately was struck by a Christmas pun.  It had to be made.  I couldn't resist. If you need a little refresher on what I was...

RECENT POSTS

Hale Half Zip by Patterns for Pirates

Oh boy, do I have some fun sewing to share with you today! Patterns for Pirates has officially launched the latest lineup of patterns and they are SO. FREAKING. GOOD. Cannot wait to share with y'all what I made! Judy didn't just release one pattern, she released THREE...

Fabric for Pirates :: September 2023 Reveal

It's the 15th of the month, and you know what that means! It's the fabric shipment reveal day! WOOOOOO!! This month's fabric is a total Katy Pick. Not only is it in the prettiest purple (plum...

Ruched Top & Dress by Patterns for Pirates

Listen. LISTEN. I would have shared this new sew of mine last week when we officially launched it over at Patterns for Pirates but I've had a lot of things going on around here. After we returned from our whirlwind Ireland/Scotland trip, I had barely enough time to...

Fabric for Pirates :: August 2023 Reveal

Hey Fabric Lovers! Long time no talk...in fact, it's been a whole month since we've talked about the subscription. It's so uncool that I have to wait until the 15th of every month to share what...

AFFILIATES