Ready for the Beach? Try Making This Deep V-Neck DIY Bathing Suit
If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to make a DIY bathing suit, this is the tutorial for you. I'll teach you how to sew a one-piece swimsuit using the Sarah One Piece Pattern, which results in a flattering one-piece bathing suit with a deep v-neck.
I enjoy making my own swimsuits because I can cut them to fit my body. I can make them a bit more cheeky or less cheeky depending on how I feel. I also like to use two different fabrics, so I can make the DIY bathing suit reversible - two designs in one! Let's get started.
Tools and materials:
- Swimwear fabric (2 fabrics for reversible bathing suit)
- Swimwear elastic (¼ inch rubber)
- Sarah One Piece Pattern
- Pins
- Rotary cutter
- Scissors
- Sewing Machine
To learn about what type of fabric to use, you can read my blog on where to buy swimwear fabric online.
1. Cut the fabric
Use the pattern to cut both fabrics.
Cut the bust and bottom pieces of the pattern, leaving a ¼ inch (6mm) seam allowance all around.
2. Cut the straps
Cut the straps 2¼ inches (6cm) wide and about 8 inches (20cm) long. Use the first strap as the pattern for the rest, so that they have the exact same shape.
Match the right sides together of the lining and the outside fabric. Sew them together lengthwise and then sew the elastic on top of both long sides. Flip the straps inside out so they are right facing and set them aside.
3. Sew the bust
Match the four bust pieces right sides together. Sew along the inner bust to connect them and the shoulder line. Sew the elastic directly on the sewn part.
4. Sew the straps in
Keep the bust inside out and insert the right-facing strap, making sure the patterns match. Pin the strap in place. Then sew all four pieces of fabric to end with a nice clean line.
5. Sew the front bottom
Place the fabric right sides together and just sew along the leg holes, then sew on the elastic.
6. Attach the bust and front bottom
Insert the bust pieces inside of the front. Pin the inner corner and the outer end.
Tuck everything inside. Sew across all four layers of the fabric. Keep stretching the fabric as needed when sewing to keep it aligned and straight. Then turn everything right side up.
7. Sew the back
Match the sides together, right side in. Sew the leg holes only and then add the elastic.
8. Connect the bottom
Insert the front piece inside the back piece so the right sides face each other.
Line up the gusset and sew straight across the four layers of fabric. This will attach the front of the swimsuit to the back.
9. Sew the sides
This is the most challenging part. Take the outer layer of the back of the swimsuit and wrap it around so the pieces are facing each other.
For this swimsuit, I have palm facing palm fabric and pink facing pink fabric. Pin the top and bottom edges. Sew all four layers of the fabric together on both sides. Keep stretching the fabric so it’s aligned.
10. Finish the swimsuit
The only open seam is at the back. Tuck the straps into the two layers of fabric and measure them to where you want them to be. Make sure they are flat and level, with the right sides up.
Sew the back seam, but leave a 2-inch hole in the center in between the straps. Turn the swimsuit inside out and sew the final seam, but only through the two layers of fabric. Use a topstitch or invisible stitch.
DIY bathing suit tutorial
Ready to go to the pool or beach in a DIY one-piece bathing suit! Let me know in the comments how easy or hard this was for you to do, or if you have any questions. I love to see your DIY!
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