You can't seem to find the right swimsuit.If you want to get a bikini of your dreams, make one yourself.You'll need to buy swimwear fashion fabric as well as lining fabric, plus thread, bust pads, and swimwear elastic.The process of creating a custom bikini is relatively easy, even though it requires close attention.
Step 1: Take a measurement of your bust.
At the far side of your bust, hold one end of a measuring tape.The edge of your bra cup is located here.When you reach the outside edge of your bust on the other side, place the tape across the fullest part of it.Make a note of the length so that you can measure the front bust.Be sure to stand upright, keep the tape measure parallel to the ground, and hold your elbow close to your body.Lifting your arms will distort the measurement.Someone can help you get the most accurate measurement.
Step 2: The bikini top's front width can be determined by subtracting 2 to 4 in.
Depending on your bust size and how tight you want the top to be, the amount you subtract will be different.It should have a narrow 4 in seam allowance.For a tighter fit, subtract 4 in.If you want a larger bust or looser fit, subtract 2 in.When measured across the front of your bust, this number will become the width of the two cups.Consider the measurement of your bikini top's front width.If your front bust measurement is 18 in (46 cm) and you have a moderately sized bust, you might decide to subtract 2 2 in.Your bikini top will have a front width of 15 in 38 cm and a seam allowance of 4 in (0.64 cm) on both sides.Add this into your measurement if you prefer a wider seam allowance.You can draw in both the finished line and the cut line if you want.
Step 3: Determine your bikini top's height based on the coverage you want.
This measurement will typically be at least 5 to 7 in (13 to 18 cm) when finished.How much coverage you want depends on your bust size.More height will give you more coverage if you have a bigger bust.If you want less coverage or have a smaller bust, use a lower height measurement.Measure the height of your favorite bra or bikini top if you're not sure.For seam allowance around all sides, add 4 in (0.64 cm).
Step 4: Measure width and height to draw a rectangle on your fashion fabric.
The outer part of the bikini will be made out of fashion fabric and placed on a flat surface.Use a ruler and a fabric marking pencil or chalk to draw a line on the wrong side of the fabric.Your bikini top's front width will be taken into account.If you want 7 in (18 cm) of height and a top length of 15 in (37 cm), your rectangle will be 14 in (38 by 18 cm).It's best to choose a fabric that is specifically marketed for swimwear since it will provide the right amount of stretch, water absorption, and colorfastness.To find your favorite print, try searching under the performance fabric category of a few online fabric stores.If your fabric has a stripe or other printed pattern, position your pattern pieces in the correct orientation so that the design will appear upright once the garment's finished.You don't want upside-down letters or sideways zebra stripes.If you want a large flower to be visible on the swimsuit, center your pattern piece around that.
Step 5: Use fabric scissors to cut out this rectangular object.
To get a clean line, use sharp fabric scissors.If you're cutting a stretch fabric, be careful not to stretch it out.The outer portion of your bikini top will become this piece.
Step 6: To mark the center, draw an identical rectangle onto your lining fabric.
You can mark out the wrong side of your fabric by using the same dimensions you used for your fashion fabric.3 in (8.6 cm) tall, the center of this rectangle has a horizontal and vertical line.The outer fabric will be gathered here later on.shorten or lengthen this vertical line if you want it to be gathered more tightly.For lining fabric, use something similar to your fashion fabric in a solid color.Under the performance fabrics category, you can find swimwear lining fabrics, which are typically poly-spandex and sold in black, white, and nude shades.
Step 7: To make a bowtie shape, connect the corners of the rectangle to the center mark.
The top and bottom of the vertical center line are connected by diagonal lines from each corner.The shape will have 2 triangles that are flattened at the center mark.One side of your bust will be covered by each triangle.
Step 8: Remove the lining fabric from the bowtie lines.
Carefully cut along the marked lines of your lining fabric using fabric scissors.If you follow the diagonal lines, you will have a bowtie shape.The triangle-shaped fabric scraps should be thrown away.
Step 9: Start with the height measurement and draw out 1 of the back ties.
To create left and right pieces for the back of your bikini top, you'll draw out a few pieces onto your main fabric in the shape of long and narrow right triangles.The bikini top's height can be used to start.The bikini top front will be sewn to the back at the side seam, so it's important that the heights match.The back ties complete the band that goes all the way around your torso after you've cut out the pieces for the front half of your bikini top.When it's finished, the loose ends will be at center-back.Each back tie piece will measure 7 by 15 in (18 by 38 cm) if you determined a top height of 18 cm and a length of 15 cm.There will be plenty of fabric for tying a knot with the 30 in wide back ties.
Step 10: The back pattern piece should be in the shape of a right triangle.
To create a right angle, extend a line out from the base of the height line.Your bikini top's front width should be the same measurement as the new line.When you wear the bikini, both ties will be long enough to knot at the center-back.To complete the triangle, connect the ends of the 2 lines with a ruler and draw in the hypotenuse.Use fabric scissors to cut this piece out.
Step 11: Cut a second back tie piece.
Make another triangular back piece in the same dimensions but mirrored after you've completed the first one.If the first piece you drew was for the right side of the back, the second piece will be a mirror image, used on the left side.This piece needs to be cut out.Make sure the triangles are facing in the same direction.There are two for the right and left side of your bikini top.
Step 12: To make self-lining pieces, draw 2 identical triangles.
Adding lining to the back ties will provide extra support as well as a cleaner finish around the edges.Cut the same long, narrow right triangle shapes out of your fashion fabric for the linings.You won't want to use the lining material for this if the underside of the ties is visible.
Step 13: Cut out 2 halter straps.
You can draw 2 long, narrow rectangles on the wrong side of your fashion fabric.You should be able to tie a halter around your neck with these if you are wearing a bikini top.Use fabric scissors to cut out the straps.Increase the width of the straps to make them more supportive.If you want an elegant finish, shorten the top ends.A rounded finish can be created at the very end, or you can gradually reduce the straps to a point starting a few inches back.The bottom ends need to be the same width as the bikini top.
Step 14: Place your bikini top in the center of your body.
There is a vertical center line on the wrong side of your bikini top.Using a strong thread and long, straight stitches, hand sew a gathering stitch along the center line.The gathered piece should be the same width as the center part of the bikini top lining.Using a straight stitch, sew over your gathers on the machine.The outer piece of the bowtie should be gathered down to 3 in if the center is tall.
Step 15: There are pads in the bikini top.
Pin premade bust pads or soft molded cups to the wrong side of your lining fabric.The cups should be centered on either half of the lining.Use a zigzag stitch to sew them in on the machine.Use craft scissors to trim the pads or cups.They shouldn't extend into the center or the edges of the lining.If you use padding, make sure it will tolerate water and machine washing.
Step 16: The bikini fabric needs to be sewed into the padded lining.
Match up the fashion fabric and lining fabric along the edges, 8 in (0.32 cm) away from the cut edge.Pin them in place, then sew along the top and bottom edges with a machine straight stitch.The pieces should be turned so that the right side faces out.Don't sew a side seam at this point.
Step 17: The left and right back ties have the same fabric.
The ties are self-lined.Pin the back ties and self-lining pieces together on the right side.A machine zigzag stitch is used to sew a 8 in seam along the long end of the triangle.They should be turned out so the right sides face out.The short sides should not be sewed together at this point.
Step 18: Attach the back ties to the bikini top.
The left and right sides of the bikini top should be pinned together.The back ties should be positioned downward when upright.
Step 19: The halter straps should be folded in half.
The right sides of the halter strap should be folded together.Put a pin in place so that the edges meet.
Step 20: The straps should be turned out with zigzag stitching.
The machine zigzag stitches 8 in (0.32 cm) away from the cut edge and down the long edge of each strap.Once they're sewn up, turn them right-side out.If you choose to do this, leave the other end open and sew one of the short ends closed.
Step 21: While trying on the bikini top, put the halter straps in place.
The halter straps should be put in a comfortable place along the top edge of the bikini top once you have the back ties knotted.Re-pin the straps if you want the right side to be together.
Step 22: The bikini top has halter straps.
The straps should be on the top edge of the bikini top.Below the finished edge of the bikini top, do this 8 in (0.32 cm).To make sure the straps are secure, you might want to do a few passes of machine stitches.This is the last part of your bikini.
Step 23: Take a look at the outline of another pair of bikini bottoms.
If you want the entire piece to lie flat, untie the old bottoms at the sides.You can trace the outline of the piece by pinning it onto the wrong side of your fabric.On the wrong side of the lining fabric, trace it.If you don't have a pair of bikini bottoms, you can use panties that you do not mind cutting apart.You want your new bikini bottoms to cover as much skin as possible, so make sure your reference bottoms fit well.If they're too small or the cut is wrong, increase the size when drawing the outline to get a better fit.
Step 24: The seam allowance is 4 in (0.64 cm).
To get enough seam allowance for both your outer fabric and lining fabric, mark out 4 in (0.64 cm) around the perimeter of the shape you just drew.
Step 25: Remove the bikini bottom pieces.
To remove the bikini bottom piece from the outer fabric and lining, use fabric scissors.The seam allowance should be included by cutting along the outside lines.Cut the fabric out without stretching it or grabbing it.
Step 26: Pin the lining to the wrong side of the fashion fabric.
Straight stitch the pieces in place on your machine, 2 in (1.3 cm) away from the cut edge on all sides.You can use a long basting stitch.The finished garment doesn't need the basting stitch for holding all of the pieces together.It's easy to see when you remove the basting stitch if you use a contrasting color.
Step 27: The lining of the leg openings has elastic pinned into it.
There are 2 lengths of 4 in (0.64 cm) wide cotton swimwear elastic that are shorter than the entire leg opening.On one leg opening, align the elastic piece with the cut edge of the fabric and pin in place.The back of the bikini bottoms should be tighter so that the elastic stays in place.If you repeat, both leg openings will have elastic.The leg opening needs to be slightly shorter than the elastic so it stays secure.This can be adjusted by using a longer or shorter piece of elastic.When pinning, place one pin at each end, and one in the center, which will make the back a little less elastic.Place pins at the halfway points between the existing pins until the whole piece of elastic is securely positioned.
Step 28: The elastic should be put into the leg openings.
While you run the pieces through the machine, keep the edges of the outer fabric, lining and elastic lined up.If you want the elastic to lie flat on top of the fabric, you'll need to stretch it a bit.Do this for the left and right leg openings.
Step 29: Pull out the stitches.
The straight stitches need to be removed with a seam ripper.Make sure that you don't grab the fabrics while you take out the basting stitches.The basting threads should be discarded.
Step 30: The elastic and seam allowance should be pinned to the inside of the leg openings.
Take the entire width of the elastic and put it towards the bikini bottoms.The elastic should be completely covered by the seam allowance on the outer fabric.You should put this in place along the leg openings.
Step 31: A zigzag stitch is used to finish the leg openings.
On the machine, sew around the folded-over leg openings with a zigzag stitch, pulling the elastic taut and flat so that it lies against the fabric.The finished hem for your bikini bottoms will be created by this.
Step 32: Take a good look at the bikini bottom sides.
Match the front and back pieces of the bikini bottoms on the right and left sides.The machine stitch is 4 in (0.64 cm) in the seam allowance.
Step 33: The top edge.
The bikini bottoms should be folded toward the inside by 4 in.Put the pin in place and sew on the machine.Next time you go to the beach, you will have a two-piece bikini to wear.