How to Hem a Custom Triangle Bikini Top

Once you've finished sewing the elastic onto your triangle bikini top, you're ready to finish the hem. It is important to hem a custom triangle bikini top properly because it affects the overall look of the bikini. If done properly, the bikini looks professionally made. If done improperly, the top won't fit right and will look sloppy.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Coordinating colored thread
• Straight pins

1. Fold the elastic band over. Lay the bikini top on your workspace with the right side facing down and fold up on the elastic band.

2. Check the bottom edge. Do this to make sure the elastic band evenly folded along the entire bottom edge of the triangle top.

3. Pin the bottom edge. Using straight pins, pin the elastic band you folded over in Step 2 to the bikini top fabric. This ensures that the band stays in place and stays even along the bottom edge while sewing.

4. Begin sewing manually. Since this area is small, begin moving the presser foot of the sewing machine with your hand until you get about five to ten stitches in. Once you've stitched that far, begin using the foot pedals to finish the hem.

Tips & Warnings

• Run an iron over the folded elastic bottom. Make sure the heating is set on low and run it quickly over the folded edge. This is an alternative to using straight pins and helps to keep the line you've created along the bottom straight while sewing the hem.
• Never sew the hem too quickly. You have to make sure that the elastic doesn't slip out of place, creating extra fabric at the bottom hem. All you have to do to make sure this doesn't happen is to sew slowly.

Resources

• Get some tips on sewing triangle bikini tops at patternschool.com.
• Learn more about sewing bathing suits at sewnews.com.