How to Create a Chain Mail Bikini

Make a chain mail bikini for sexy beachwear or costume play.

Originally used as armor by soldiers of centuries ago, chain mail is now used more in replica work and modern day fashion. A chain mail bikini is a wonderful fashion essential for costume play and it is certain to get some attention on a day at the beach. While the chain mail bikini may at first seem like a daunting task, it is a simple activity, made from lighter weight aluminum instead of the original steel or iron from which armor was made.

Things You'll Need

• Seam ripper
• Old fabric bikini (for template)
• Coil of 0.094-inch thick aluminum wire
• Bolt cutters
• Linesman pliers
• Double-sided fashion tape
• Medium-size jump ring

Instructions

Bikini Bottoms

1. Use the seam ripper to open the sides of the bikini bottoms. Lay the bottoms out flat on your work surface. Use these as a template for the chain mail bikini bottoms.

2. Cut the coil of 0.094-inch thick aluminum wire into individual rings using the bolt cutters. This is a thicker wire that will provide more coverage.

3. Connect a row of individual coils together. Squeeze one coil closed with the linesman pliers. Hook another coil onto the closed one and squeeze the second coil closed. Continue to attach additional coils. Lay the growing row of coils at the top edge of the bikini bottoms and continue adding coils until you have covered the entire top edge.

4. Attach one coil to the beginning of the first row. This starts the second row. Attach another coil to the first coil of the second row and to the coil above. Repeat all the way across. Do this to make each row, following the outside edge of the bikini bottoms to make the proper shape.

5. Fold the chain mail bikini bottom in half to bring the front and back waistline together. Hook an extra coil to the top left and right edges to attach the sides.

6. Press a strip of double-sided fashion tape inside the top edge of the bikini bottom to help keep it in place.

Bikini Top

1. Lay the fabric bikini top on your work surface and smooth out any wrinkles with your hands. Use a bikini top that hooks together at the back, rather than one that ties around the neck.

2. Make the first row of chain mail. Close one coil with the pliers and hook another coil onto the first. Repeat to make an entire row. Lay the row along the bottom edge of the bikini and add more coils until the row of chain mail equals the same length as the bikini top.

3. Add another row of coils above the first, laying the rows on the fabric bikini top to follow the shape. Add smaller rows of coils over top of the triangular-shaped bikini bra cups. When you reach the top of the cups, make a long row of coils to connect from one top to the other. This is the neck strap that keeps the bikini top in place.

4. Bring the two ends of the bikini top's under-bust strap together. Open a medium-size jump ring and hook it onto each end of the strap to hold the bikini together. Squeeze the ring closed. Use this jump ring instead of an aluminum coil because it is easier to open to get the bikini top on and off.

References

• The Middle Ages Website: Chainmail
• Chained: Create Gorgeous Chain Mail Jewelry One Ring at a Time; Rebeca Mojica
• Mail Artisans International League: Chainmail Construction

Resources

• Mail Artisans International League: Deciding on the Type and Size of Wire to Use