Halter and High Waist Bikini DIY

I realized something recently. After 9 years and 3 kids, I was still wearing only one-piece bathing suits. It had been nearly TEN YEARS since I last wore a bikini. What the what? How did that happen?!!  Just because I am a Mom, doesn’t mean I want to wear a ‘momkini’ every time I go to the beach. So I went shopping for the right bikini for my body. I wanted a high waisted bottom, with a top that gives decent coverage. I still play with my kids at the pool and beach, and the last thing anybody wants is for a ‘wardrobe malfunction’ while playing marco polo. So I needed a suit I could depend on.

Unfortunately the only high waisted bottoms I could find all had flat fronts, and I specifically wanted something with ruching. My post-baby belly demands it in fact! Lol. Ruche away baby, ruche. So I got to work in the sewing studio.

Halter and High Waist Bikini DIY.

*ruching optional

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Please note – photoshopping WAS done on the above photo. My tummy was white as a sheet due to 10 years of hiding from the sun. I had to ‘tan’ my belly for the above photo in Picmonkey. Bwahahahahhahah. I had to share that, because its too ridiculous not to.

On another note – I cannot believe I am posing for a bikini shot on the internet willingly. Hello exercise! Woot woot. Feeling good.

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High Waist Bikini Bottoms – free pattern

Materials needed:

• 1 yd swimwear material
• (2) 20″ pieces of 1/4″ elastic
• 28″ of 1″ elastic
• Coordinating thread
• New, ballpoint sewing needle
• High Waist Bikini Pattern – download HERE

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How to sew a high waisted bikini:

 

 

1. Sew gathering stitches along the sides of the Exterior Front bathing suit pattern. Gather stitches by pulling the bobbin thread, until the sides are the same length as your Lining Front bathing suit pattern.
2. Place Front and Back bathing suit right sides together and sew crotch seam.  Repeat for lining and exterior.
3. Place (1) 20″ piece of 1/4″ elastic along the inner leg curve of the Lining on the wrong side. Pin and sew, using a zig zag stitch. Repeat for other side.
4. Place exterior and lining bikini bottoms right sides together, pin and sew leg curves using a 1/2″ seam allowance. Turn right side out.
5. Turn the bathing suit so that the exterior front and back side seams are right sides together, and the lining front and back side seams are together. With the leg seam lining up in the middle. Pin and sew side seams together. Repeat for both sides.
6. Turn right side out, slipping the lining (non-ruched side) inside of the exterior bikini bottoms. You should now only have 1 raw edge, the top of your suit. Try the bikini bottoms on to make adjustments to the height of your bikini. Leave 1/2″ for seam allowance.
7. Measure your waist and cut elastic accordingly, subtracting a few inches to ensure a snug fit. My final measurement was 28″ (I have a 32″ waist).
8. You can create the waistband as you see fit, by either making a waistband casing – or simply sewing the elastic to the top of the bikini, stretching as you sew. I will go with the latter, for ease of blog post explanation. Place elastic ends right sides together, pin and sew.  (*Please note – for my bikini, I did make a waistband casing. But the process explained here will work equally as well.)
9. Slip elastic around the top of your bikini bottoms and pin the front and back, and sides. Sew around using a serger, stretch stitch, or zigzag stitch.
10. Slip elastic inside of the bikini bottoms, and you are done!

 

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Halter Top DIY

Materials needed:

• 3/4 yd swimwear material
• Coordinating thread
• New, ballpoint sewing needle

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How to sew a halter top bikini:

1. Measure your cup size. THIS post by SewMamaSew has a great bikini top free pattern explaining how to measure yourself properly. Once you have determined your bust radius, you can cut your triangle accordingly. Mine is 8″ wide, by 25″ long. Cut (4).
2. Place (2) triangle pieces right sides together, pin and sew outer edge. Clip seam allowance. Turn right side out.
3. You will also want to determine your circumference under the bust. Subtract 4″ from that measurement to allot for proper snug fit. Cut (1) rectangle this measurement W, by 4″L. Place the bottom of your triangles along the top center of your rectangle, right sides together. Pin and sew, using a 1/4′ seam allowance. Flip up, and press seam down.
4. Fold rectangle in half, enclosing the raw triangle bottom edge. Fold the other edge of the rectangle (the portion you just folded up) 1/4″ inside the casing, and pin along the upper rectangle edge. Sew around 1/8″ away from the edge, using a stretch stitch or zigzag stitch.
5. Place bikini rectangle back right sides together, pin and sew.
6. Try the bikini on, and knot the top ties together for proper fit.

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Thanks so much for stopping by, and until next time…

Happy Sewing!