How to Make a One-Piece Swimsuit

When spring is just around the corner, it's time to get ready for bathing suit weather and shopping. Sometimes it might be better to make a suit for yourself rather than buy one. Making a bathing suit for yourself will allow you to make something just for you---made to your measurements and flattering. It's also quick and easy to make. In just a few hours, you can make your own one-piece bathing suit.

Things You'll Need

• Fabric (about 1 yard) Pattern Sewing machine Pins Thread Sewing machine needles for knit fabric

Instructions

1. Choose your pattern. Make sure to find a pattern that will be flattering to your body shape.

2. Choose a dark-colored or thick spandex fabric. Dark or thick fabric will allow for better coverage of your body. Avoid anything with a horizontal stripe, as it will only make you look wider.

3. Lay out and cut your pattern. Refer to the instructions in your pattern to know which pieces to cut out.

4. Lay out and pin your pattern pieces to your fabric and cut. Make sure to pin frequently and be careful when cutting the fabric as it will shift often.

5. Make sure you have the right needles in place on your sewing machine. Since you will be sewing a tightly knit fabric, you will probably need a sewing machine needle specifically for knits.

6. Set your sewing machine to the shortest stitch length. This will make sewing the stretchy knit fabric easier.

7. Closely pin your fabric right sides together as indicated in your pattern's directions, and sew it together leaving a 1/2-inch seam allowance.

8. Serge together the edges of each new seam as you sew each one.

9. Trim any excess threads from the bathing suit.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also add a bust support to the bathing suit by hand sewing in a bra.