Last month, I participated in my first pattern test and I’m here to tell you why I’m In love with the amazing Tamarama Set from Swim Style Patterns after finishing my back to work wardrobe. Find out everything you need to know about this pattern that I loved testing for Swim Style!

The Tamarama Set

The Tamarama Set is made up of two pieces. The pattern includes a slightly flared leg, elastic waist pant or shorts and a drop short sleeve, oversized button-up with a gently curved hem. Overall, the style is on point for the hotter weather on it’s way in the Northern Hemisphere. Furthermore, I predict the matching set style we started to see last summer will come in strong this year. Even if you are a beginner with some solid experience under you belt, I think you could achieve a good result thanks to this pattern’s clear instructions.

How My First Pattern Test Went

In a word, my first pattern test was awesome. I received clear instructions. The pattern was already beautifully put together and a joy to sew up. Moreover, the Swim Style team communicated the clear and reasonable expectations from the beginning. They made the experience so easy and were always available for discussion. They were really nice people, too! Without a doubt, I would definitely test for the Swim Style Patterns team again.

Sewing My Tamarama Set

The fabric

Since I have never made any Swim Style Patterns before, I didn’t want to use my best fabric. So, I plunged into the deep dark stash and pulled out some coordinating polyester of unknown origin but of good quality. Truthfully, this fabric has to be at least 10 years old.

Personally, I don’t sew with polyester very much anymore since I like the breathability of natural fibers. On top of that, I can find natural fibers so much more easily than before. However, it felt good to make use of something I already had and the result is surprisingly wearable. I already have plans to sew this in a linen, cotton or viscose version for this summer!

The size

My body measurements put me in the size 5X. If you are looking for a truly oversized set, definitely choose your size according to body measurements.

Another note about the choosing your size: make sure to look at the body measurement chart when calculating how much fabric you will need. In most pattern companies, I am a size 2x. If I just glanced at the yardage requirements based on 2x, I might have come up short because I am a 5x in Swim Style Patterns. You always have to check!

The fit

One of the beauties of sewing is you can always choose how much ease you want in your garments. Although, my Tamarama set turned out a bit more oversized than I would normally wear, the final patterns will have finished measurements so you can choose how much ease you would like. I did not have this information at the time of testing.

Next time, because of my personal style, I would probably size down at least one size, especially if I was sewing it in a less drapey fabric like linen or cotton. If you are taller or prefer more ease, this will not be a problem. Notwithstanding, I am getting a lot of wear out of these pieces as separates with tighter fitting garments to balance them out on my shorter frame.

Fit Adjustments To The Tamarama Set

If you are a tall person, this pattern might just be the ticket. I usually remove about 3″ from bottom patterns but on the pants of this pattern I removed 5″. The pants have a straight shape that makes this super easy to do.

Usually on pants patterns I have to adjust the curve of the crotch for a low butt and round pubis but I did not on these! I didn’t need to add anything to the back rise, or do a sway back adjustment! They are magic pants and I already have plans for some culottes out of this pattern.

For the top, I only did my standard high round back and low round back adjustments. I do this on almost all patterns. Therefore, this is not a shortcoming in the pattern drafting.

Next time I might slightly raise the armscye and shorten the sleeve, but again, this is due to my stature and shape. In fact, this pattern was so thoughtfully drafted!

Modifications to instructions

I did choose to add some stay-stitching to certain parts of the pattern like the neckline. This is because my fabric frayed and stretched out somewhat easily. However, I found it to be unnecessary and even had to unpick some of it to be able to ease the neckline and collar together.

Another modification is that I did grade some of the seams even though this was not specified. This is because my polyester was a bit bulky in the placket and collar areas.

My favourite parts of the TAMARAMA SET

This whole pattern was beautiful but I do have some highlights!

• It has a 5/8″ seam allowance which is my personal favourite on woven patterns.
• The waistband construction was a new to me, but very easy, method. The casing is created using a facing and it is so neat and tidy! This is the first time I have constructed one exactly like this and I am a believer now.
• Fitting is made easy with the inclusion of hip, crotch, waist, and shoulder lines.
• The illustrations and the instructions were very clear and not overwrought. An experienced sewist could just glance at the illustrations for the most part and understand the suggested methods easily. Those with experience but new to sewing a button up or elastic waist pants would be able to follow along too!
• I like to use print at home patterns and glue them on US letter size paper and the margins were large enough to make gluing easy.
• I really liked how the print at home was laid out.  It made it easy to work with and put together on a dining table.  Especially for the pants. I just glued the front and back leg pages separately instead of one huge pattern. It made things more manageable.

Things to note about the Tamara Set

Here are some points to help you decide how to undertake making the Tamarama Set:

• Lots of information on the fit is included, including finished measurements.
• You have to trim the pages to put the pattern together.
• The PDF pattern is not layered. However, the layout and pattern lines are clear and this was not a problem.
• Even if you are a beginner with some solid experience under you belt, I think you could achieve a good result thanks to this pattern’s clear instructions. It would make a good first button-up!

The Bottom Line

In conclusion, I loved the pattern and I loved the experience of pattern testing for Swim Style Patterns. I would recommend this pattern whether you are looking for an oversized matching set or trendy separates. In addition, any sewist with some experience would appreciate this thoughtfully conceived pattern.