Dive In! Beautiful Bronte Bathers From Three Of Our Fave Pattern Testers
- Words by Peppermint
The Peppermint Bronte Bathers, designed in collaboration with Sharon and Justine Cowie of Swim Style Patterns, have certainly made a splash since they hit the scene! With a super comfortable high waist and near-full coverage bottoms, paired with the cutest twist-tie top (or optional bandeau style), this perfect poolside pairing is a dream to wear and a dream to sew. You can even turn them out without an overlocker!
In terms of fabric, the Spoonflower Sport Lycra was the pick of the day β the resounding feedback was that the fabric is wonderfully opaque and has great recovery (read: it doesnβt go see-through when itβs wet and it springs back into shape when it’s been stretched). The colours are vibrant and the fabric performs well in both chlorine and seawater. Just what we want in our swimwear!
From first-time swimwear sewists to seasoned lycra-sewing wizards, our swim squad of pattern testers produced a bevy of beautiful bathers. So, pop on your goggles, grab your boogie board and dive in to see what all the fuss is about!
Mel @melt.stitches
FABRIC CHOICE: Spoonflower Sport Lycra in Abstract Ocean (Electric Blue) by Tara Reed.
“These are a very lovely pair of bathers, the #PeppermintBronteBathers in fact. I was approached by @PeppermintMagazine for this collab and excitedly chose this lycra designed by @TaraNormal, produced by @Spoonflower.Β
The quality of the fabric is incredible. It’s a good weight with superb stretch recovery. It could probably be used without a lining.Β
I love how these turned out. The pattern was designed by @SwimStylePatterns. I like the fit of the bandeau top (sewed an XS) but decided to hand sew the elastic band up for a seamless finish. Next time I’ll try the burrito method.
The instructions offer a fold finish around the thighs but I really wanted a seamless look. After 2 attempts I nailed a seamless finish on the bottoms using the burrito method!
It’s cool how you can make swimmers entirely on your sewing machine. I made sure to use the @Mettler_Thread Seraflex because it’s just brilliant. I was also pushing for the seamless look because my thread is a leftover hot pink.”
Sophie @sophie.sews
FABRIC CHOICE: Spoonflower Sport Lycra in Atlantis Shells (Blush) by Nouveau Bohemian.
“Peppermint Magazine recently reached out to me to sew up the @SwimStylePatterns Bronte Bathers from the latest issue of Peppermint! Definitely not a stranger to Swimstyle patterns but it was my first time using @Spoonflower fabric – this is the sport lycra and itβs held up really well so far in both chlorine and salt water! Great recovery, opaque (self-lined both top and bottom), UPF 50+ because the sun is no joke.Β
I sewed a size S in the top and XS grading to S in the bottoms. I always use rubber elastic for swimwear because the one time I didnβt… my bikini top came out too loose. Notions (rubber elastic and swim sliders) are from @TheRemnantWarehouse.”
Serah @serah.sews
FABRIC CHOICE: Spoonflower Sport Lycra in Purple Red Ti Leaf Jungle by Maliuana.
“Ya girl made her first pair of bathers just in time before summer ends!Β
Having never made swimwear before, I was a bit unsure when @PeppermintMagazine first approached me for a collab, however, Iβm really glad that I went through with it… super chuffed with the end product. I had a few unpicking moments but the overall process was so much easier than I made it seem in my head. Can confirm that the instructions were pretty clear and straightforward for someone who has never sewn any kind of swimwear before!
The stunning Lycra was designed by @LindaMaliuana and produced by @Spoonflower. Not only was I super pleased with the print but also the quality and stretch recovery of this fabric. The pattern is #PeppermintBronteBathers created in collaboration with @SwimStylePatterns.
For the sizing, I used a size M for the top. I was slightly concerned that it might be a bit small for me but it fit me perfectly. For the bottom, I used a size L at the hips graded to size M at the waist. I also raised the side seams for both the front and back pieces by an inch.”
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Look, I donβt want to make anyone panic but ITβS DECEMBER!!! If youβre planning to give homemade gifts, youβre going to have to act fast.Β …
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Whoβs going to the sold out Liberty Fabrics Showcase in Brisbane or Melbourne? πββοΈ
To say weβre excited is an understatement! Maybe weβre biased because our lovely Laura (Sewing Manager) is walking in the fashion parade along with many other incredible sewists in our community, but also - thereβs SO many good things: retail stalls featuring exclusive products, rare finds and all things @LibertyFabrics, and sneak peeks at brand-new quilting and fashion collections, including the Liberty Fabrics Spring/Summer βFloral Rebellionβ collectionβ .
Also - Liberty legends Mary-Ann Dunkley (Head of Design) and Anna Buruma (ex-Head of Archive) are flying in from London especially!β
Keep an eye on our socials this weekend for BTS! πΈπΌπΊ
Brisbane 7/2/26
Melb 14/2/26
From @Laura_The_Maker:
If you know me irl then you probably know that I only do one take for my reels so enjoy this vid of me saying thousands of words about an exciting collaboration Iβm participating in for 2026!
Thanks to the teams @2GreenZebras @Regent_Street_Fabrics and @StyleArc for including me on the runway. I absolutely canβt wait!
Obviously Iβll be hoping for enough scrap fabric to make some kind of accessoriesβ¦
#libertyfabrics #libertyfabricsshowcase
π» The Paddington π» β
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This is a much-loved staple, created for Issue 50 in 2021. We love seeing the #PeppermintPaddingtonTop continually popping up in our feeds!β
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How stunning is our model Elon MelaninGoddessEfon β she told us it was one of the first times she had been asked to come to a shoot with her natural hair. π»β
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We worked with South African patternmaker Sarah Steenkamp of @FrenchNavyNow_ to create this wardrobe essential β the perfect puff-sleeve blouse. Raglan sleeves make it the ultimate beginner sew, plus the gorgeous back buttons let you add your own personal twist. β
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Pattern via the link in bio! πͺ‘β
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Photos: @KelleySheenanβ
Fabric: @Spoonflowerβ
Model: MelaninGoddessEfon
βIn the 1940βs, Norwegians made and wore red pointed hats with a tassel as a form of visual protest against Nazi occupation of their country. Within two years, the Nazis made these protest hats illegal and punishable by law to wear, make, or distribute. As purveyors of traditional craft, we felt it appropriate to revisit this design.ββ
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Crafters have often been at the heart of many protest movements, often serving as a powerful means of political expression. @NeedleAndSkein, a yarn store in Minnesota, are helping to mobilise the craftivists of the world with a βMelt The Iceβ knitting pattern created by @Yarn_Cult (with a crochet pattern too), as a way of peaceful protest. β
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The proceeds from the $5 pattern will go to local immigrant aid organisations β or you can donate without buying the pattern.β
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Raise those needles, folks β art and craft can change the world. π§Άβ
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Link in bio for the pattern.β
Images: @Gather_Fiber @NeedleAndSkein @a2ina2 @KyraGiggles Sandi.204 @WhatTracyMakes AllieKnitsAway Auntabwi2
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#MeltTheIce #Craftivism #Knitting #CraftForChange
TWO WEEKS TO GO! π€©β
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"The most important shift is moving from volume-led buying to value-led curation β choosing fewer, better products with strong ethics, considered production and meaningful stories. Retailers have real influence here: what you buy signals what you stand for. At Life Instyle, this means using the event to discover and invest in small-scale, planet-considerate brands that align with your values and your customerβs conscience. Consumers donβt need more things; they need better things, and retailers play a key role in selecting, contextualising, and championing why those products matter."β
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Only two more weeks until @Life_Instyle β Australia`s leading boutique retail trade show. If you own a store, don`t miss this event! Connect with designers, source exquisite β and mindful β products, and see firsthand why this is Australiaβs go-to trade show for creatives and retailers alike. And it`s free! β¨οΈβ
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Life Instyle β Sydney/Eora Countryβ
14-17 February 2026β
ICC, Darling Harbourβ
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Photos: @Samsetteβ
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#LifeInstyle #SustainableShopping #SustainableShop #RetailTradeEvent
Calling all sewists! πβ
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Have you made the Peppermint Waratah Wrap Dress yet? Call *1800 I NEED THIS NOW to get making! β
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This gorgeous green number was modelled (and made) by the fabulous Lisa of @Tricky.Pocketsβ ππΌβ
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If you need a nudge, @ePrintOnline are offering Peppermint sewists a huge π 30% off ALL A0 printing π when you purchase the Special Release Waratah Wrap Dress pattern β how generous is that?!β
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Head to the link in bio now πβ
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*Not a real number in case that wasn`t clear πβ
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#PeppermintWaratahWrapDress #PeppermintPatterns #SewingPattern #WrapDress #WrapDressPattern
8 Things to Know About January 26 - from @ClothingTheGaps:
Before you celebrate, take the time to learn the truth. January 26 is not a day of unity itβs a Day of Mourning and Survival for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
It marks the beginning of invasion, dispossession, and ongoing colonial violence. Itβs time for truth-telling, not whitewashed history.
Stand in solidarity. Learn. Reflect. Act.
βπ½ Blog written by Yorta Yorta woman Taneshia Atkinson.
π Link in bio of @ClothingTheGaps to read the full blog
#ChangeTheDate #InvasionDay #SurvivalDay #AlwaysWasAlwaysWillBe #ClothingTheGaps
