Megan Nielsen Cottesloe Swimsuit Mega Hack

Part 1: Bikini (Swimsuit hack here)

Marie sitting on a beach lounger in a hat, sunglasses and brown bikini

Summer 2022 saw us take a much needed family trip to the beautiful Greek Island, Crete. It was everything we wanted our 2 week holiday to be. Sun, sand, pools, and great food.

From the outset, we wanted this to be relaxing and recharging, so the pool and beach fashion game needed to be strong!

I have previously sewn swimsuits, (seen here)so it wasn’t so much a technical challenge, but a style one. I wanted something elegant, and classic but still fun and stylish; not so basic basics. After searching Pinterest for inspiration, I tried to find a pattern that was giving me what I wanted. Unfortunately I couldn’t find the details I was after.

I decided to begin with the Megan Nielsen Cottesloe Swimsuit, as in my opinion, it gives an excellent block to start from, with endless opportunities to add design elements to make it unique.

I began with the bikini version, using this beautiful raisin coloured activewear deadstock from my stash which I bought from Fabworks Mills. I purchased the swimwear elastic from New Craft House, which is excellent ex designer deadstock and great quality. The cup inserts were these which I found to be a nice quality and give me a bit of extra shape where I want it!

Hacking the Pattern

To achieve a one shouldered look, I took my French curve and changed the shape of the front neckline. As the Cottesloe is slightly squared, this included a more gentle curve from the strap to the centre front. I then raised the under arm of the strapless side to give more bust coverage and security from unwanted slipping.

Altered pattern piece for bikini — The pencil lines show the shape of the original pattern piece.

The rear piece needed similar alterations as the Cottesloe has a plunging rear neckline. I increased the coverage over the back and raised the strapless side seam to be the same height as the front piece.

In order to keep the strap from slipping on my narrow shoulders, I also moved the strap towards the centre back by 1cm.

Back piece of bikini pattern — Orange lines show the original style lines of the back bikini piece.

For the bikini bottoms, I raised the leg opening on the front and back, to be the same as the Opian Swimsuit which I like. I also increased the rise by 3cm so there was a minimal gap between the bottoms and top.

Bikini Bottom Front Piece;
Original pattern piece behind to show the difference

Bikini bottom pattern pieces, showing alternations — Bikini Bottom Front Piece;
Original pattern piece behind to show the difference

Construction remained as per the Cottesloe instructions.

Another detail I added was a gold buckle (actually for a handbag!) onto the front of the strap.I was concerned that this might become hot in the Cretan sun, but thankfully, that didn’t happen.

Under the buckle, I attached a faux strap. To do this, I sewed a with a simple long rectangle, right sides together, turned it the right way to create the illusion of a working buckle/shoulder opening.