New bikinis can be quite expensive, and you may not even be able to find a bikini that fits your taste and size. To solve this problem, try making your own bikini at home. The manufacturing process turns out to be simpler than you might think.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Cutting Parts for Bikini Top
Step 1. Measure the distance between your armpits
Subtract 5 to 10 cm from this measurement and write down the number. This is the length that will be used for your bikini top.
- Use a tape measure and measure from armpit to armpit, right through your chest. Keep the measuring tape parallel to the floor.
- You can change the length you subtract from this size according to how tight you want your bikini top to be. To make a tighter top, subtract 10 cm. For a more comfortable bikini, subtract 5 cm.
Step 2. Create a rectangular pattern using the right size
Use a ruler to draw a rectangle on your fabric of the same length as your previous measurement. Draw a vertical line 12.7 to 18 cm long at the end of the long line, then complete the rectangle by drawing the fourth side.
The width of the rectangle can be changed depending on the size of your bust, and how wide you want to cover it. If your bust is large, make a wider rectangle to cover it better
Step 3. Cut out a rectangular pattern
Use sharp scissors to cut out the rectangular shape you previously made. Make sure to cut as straight and neat as possible.
This section will be used as the outer layer of your bikini top
Step 4. Make a ribbon shape by cutting it out of the inner lining fabric
Draw the same size on the fabric that you will be using as the inner lining of the bikini. Then, draw a hollow in the center, and draw a diagonal line from each corner to connect it to this hollow. Cut out this shape when you're done.
- Mark right in the middle of your rectangle's length. The tape basin should be placed there.
- Draw a vertical line in the center about 7.6 cm long. Make the lines shorter to make the hollows sharper, or the lines longer to make it less conspicuous.
- Draw a diagonal line from the top corner to the top of your center line, and a diagonal line from the bottom corner to the bottom of your center line.
Step 5. Make two bikini straps
Draw two rectangles from your main fabric, 7.6 cm wide, and the same length as the fabric of your bikini top. Cut as neatly as possible.
Sharpen the ends, if desired, or leave the pieces flat as usual
Step 6. Mark the rope
Place two marks near the middle of the length of each string. These marks should be spaced equal to the width of the main cut of your bikini top.
Note that this mark is used to indicate the position of the seam where the connection is with the bikini top
Method 2 of 4: Sewing Bikini Top
Step 1. Unite the front center of your rectangle
Mark the center point of the front of your rectangle from the back. Sew the ruffle stitch along this center line by hand.
- Thread the thread through the needle and make a knot at the end of the thread.
- Sew straight stitches along the line, placing the knotted end of the thread against the back side of the fabric.
- From the non-knotted side of the fabric, press the needle toward the knot, so that the fabric shrivels up. Continue sewing the ruffle stitch until the center of your top is the same width as the center of the inner lining.
- Tie the second end of the thread to keep the fabric in position.
- Note that you may also need to sew over the shriveled fabric with regular stitches to define the shape.
Step 2. Sew the breast support cup to the inner lining of the fabric
Use a ready made pad or cup and sew it to the back side of the inner lining of the fabric. Pin the padding to the inner layer of the fabric using pins, pointing the curved part upwards. Sew the padding to the bikini's inner lining with a 3.175mm-wide loop stitch.
- Place the cup so that it is in the middle of both sides of the bikini inner layer. The two cups must not cross the midpoint of the inner lining fabric, or overlap one another.
- Make sure the cup or pad size matches your bust size.
Step 3. Pin pins and sew the inner layer to the outer layer of the bikini
Line up the bikini inner layer with the main layer, with the front sides facing each other. When all the sides appear to be parallel, pin pins, then sew together with a straight stitch using a sewing machine, or back stitch by hand.
At this point, you only need to sew along the top and bottom sides of the fabric. Do not sew the other side
Step 4. Turn the fabric from the outside in
Pull the fabric out of one of the sections that are open on both sides, so that the front sides of the two layers of fabric are pointing outwards.
Step 5. Fold the bikini strap in half
Fold the front side of the rope in half the same length, so that the fabric on both ropes is reversed from the inside out. Pin it so that its position doesn't change.
Step 6. Sew the rope
Use a straight stitch with a sewing machine to make a zigzag stitch along each side of the string. Don't sew the ends, leave a gap between the marks you made on each string.
Turn the front side of the fabric over when you're done
Step 7. Sew the straps to the bikini top
Pin the sides of your bikini top into the gaps in the straps. Pin the two together, then sew.
To make the rope look neat, sew the back first. Once it is firmly in place, fold the top of the rope down and sew it neatly at the front
Step 8. Try on your new bikini top
Tie the top end of your rope behind your neck, and the lower end behind your back. And your bikini half is done.
Method 3 of 4: Cutting Parts for Bikini Bottom
Step 1. Trace the outline of your other bikini bottom
Take off your old bikini bottom so the entire fabric can lie flat on top of your new bikini bottom. Pin the pins so they don't change their position, then trace the outline.
- If your old bikini bottom won't open on the sides, you may need to trim it with scissors.
- If you don't have an old bikini bottom, you can use old panties that you can sacrifice. Make sure that the pants fit your body, and can cover the areas you want to cover with a bikini bottom.
Step 2. Repeat tracing one more time
Lay an old open bikini bottom on top of the inner lining, and trace the outline there.
Step 3. Add the length for the hem in the outer layer of fabric
Draw a hem line around the pattern you drew on your outer fabric. The width of the seam should be between 0.64 cm to 1.27 cm.
Do not repeat this step on the inner lining. The outer layer of fabric should be slightly larger than the inner layer
Step 4. Cut them both
Use sharp sewing scissors to cut both patterns from the inner and outer layers of fabric. Cut as neat and even as possible.
Method 4 of 4: Sewing Bikini Bottom
Step 1. Sew the outer and inner layers of fabric together in the middle
With the front sides together, place the inner layer on top of the outer layer, right in the middle. Pin the pin so it doesn't change its position, then sew a straight stitch using a sewing machine to the center of your open bottom.
- The center section here is the piece of fabric that will eventually go between your legs and form the bottom of your bikini.
- Make sure your hem is the same size on all sides of the fabric when you put the two layers together.
Step 2. Fold the outer layer of fabric over the inner layer
Fold the hem of the outer layer of fabric over the inner layer around the entire side. Pin the pin so that its position does not change.
Step 3. Sew half the circumference
Use a loop or straight stitch to sew the two long sides of the fabric together. Keep the short side -- which ends up around your hips -- open.
- Spread the inner and outer layers of fabric as wide as possible when sewing the two together, especially when using a straight stitch.
- Turn the fabric inside out when finished.
Step 4. Sew the sides together
Fold the bikini bottom in half crosswise, so that the hips are joined. Sew the sides together using a zigzag stitch, using a 0.64 cm long seam.
As you sew the sides together, make sure to lay the inner lining on the outside
Step 5. Seam the top
Fold the top of the fabric down so that the hem of the outer layer of fabric completely covers the inner layer. Pin the pin so that it doesn't change its position, then sew a crooked stitch or a straight stitch.
- Again, spread the inner and outer layers of fabric as wide as possible, especially when using a straight stitch.
- If you want your bottom to be low-heeled, you can make the top hem wider than what you measured earlier.
- Flip the bottoms over after you've finished sewing so that the outer layer of fabric is facing out again.
Step 6. Try on your bikini bottoms
You should be able to get it through your legs. After completing this step, your new bikini bottom -- as well as your bikini as a whole -- is ready to go.
