They included Burnley loan signing David Edgar at centre-back for his debut and Alan Tate was skipper in the absence of Gary Monk, while in goal for the Tractor Boys was former Swan Brian Murphy.
The Swans opened up the visitors defence in the third minute but, when Cedric van der Gun crossed along the byline after receiving from Andrea Orlandi, Nathan Dyer failed to get a touch at the far post and the chance was lost.
The impressive van der Gun then split the Ipswich defence again on the half hour when his slide-rule pass set Angel Rangel heading into the danger area but Damien Delaney managed to block the full-back's route to goal.
The Tractor Boys first goal attempt came in the 39th minute when Grant Leadbitter found space only to fire straight at Dorus de Vries in the home goal.
Swansea made a change at the break with Mark Gower replacing Dyer but it was van der Gun on the opposite wing who was causing the Ipswich defence most trouble with his darting runs.
A cross from Gower was headed over by Shefki Kuqi on the hour as Swansea began to look more threatening up front and then Ashley Williams was inches wide with a glancing header from Orlandi's free-kick.
Swansea boss Paulo Sousa brought Joe Allen and Lee Trundle into the fray but still the visitors prevented any of the smooth passing game that Welsh club have become known for throughout the Championship.
A mistake by David Wright gifted the Swans a corner five minutes from time but they were unable to take advantage and their last chance of a goal came from a corner which Kuqi headed just wide.