How To Make a Bikini Swimsuit

Indulge your fashion sense with homemade bikinis for you and a friend to show off at the beach.

Make a beach-worthy bikini from a pair of old T-shirts and double up the layers to keep the bikini modest even when wet. You can make the bikini uniform top to bottom by choosing two shirts of the same color or make a bright fashion statement by using two differently patterned shirts. Coordinate the two pieces by making the bikini's top straps from the bikini-bottom T-shirt and the bottom straps from the bikini-top T-shirt.

Things You'll Need

• Two T-shirts
• Scissors
• Chalk or fabric pen
• Sewing pins
• Sewing needle
• Thread
• Old bikini underwear

Instructions

Make the Straps

1. Lay the T-shirts on your work surface and cut off the bottom hems of the shirts. Discard the hems.

2. Measure 1 inch from the bottom edge of one of the shirts and cut across the fabric, cutting through both layers as you go to make one continuous loop of fabric.

3. Cut another identical strip from the bottom of the T-shirt.

4. Cut along each side seam to divide the strips into four pieces. These are the ties for the bikini bottoms

5. Lay the other T-shirt on your work surface and cut two strips that are each 1 inch wide, just as in the previous step. Cut one of the strips along each seam line to make two strips. Cut the remaining strip along just one seam line to make one long strip. These are the ties for the bikini top.

Make the Bikini Top

1. Lay the first shirt down and measure about 9 inches up from the bottom. Cut through both layers. Pin the front and back of the T-shirt strip to keep the pieces together.

2. Draw a triangle on the fabric. Make the triangle about 10 inches wide and 8 inches high. Cut out the triangle through both layers of fabric. Place one triangle on the remaining section of the T-shirt strip and trace the triangle onto the fabric. Cut out the triangle through both layers. You should now have two sets of triangles.

3. Fold over the top point of each set of triangles about 1 inch. Place one short bikini strap on top of each fold and pin the straps in place.

4. Fold over 1/2 inch along the left and right side of each set of triangles and pin the fabric in place. Sew the folded sides with a straight stitch, stitching through the straps at the top to join them to the bikini.

5. Fold over 1 inch of fabric at the bottom of each triangle. Sew the folds in place near the rough fabric edges to make a channel at the bottom. Insert the long bikini top strip through both channels to complete the top. Try on the bikini top by tying the two short straps behind your neck and tying the long strap at your back.

Make the Bikini Bottom

1. Open the side seams of a pair of comfortably old bikini underwear with a seam ripper. Smooth out the bikini underwear on the remaining T-shirt and trace around the shape. Cut out the bikini shape.

2. Fold over the four corners of the bikini bottom.

3. Place one bikini bottom strap over each of the four corners and pin the straps in place.

4. Fold over 1/2 inch of fabric along the top and bottom of the bikini and sew the fold in place. Sew through the ends of the straps as you go to secure them to the bikini.

5. Try on the bikini bottoms and tie the strings together at your hips.

References

• "The Sewing Bible: A Modern Manual of Practical and Decorative Sewing Techniques"; Ruth Singer; 2009
• ThreadBanger: "How To Make a Hot Bikini Out of Old T-shirts"