How to Make a Super Cute DIY Bikini

Tools and materials:

• Swimwear fabric
• Paper
• Marker
• Ruler
• Measuring tape
• Scissors
• Pins
• Safety pin
• Seam ripper
• Wide elastic band
• 5 mm elastic band
• Sewing machine
• Serger (optional)

Create a pattern

I used the instructions above to create the pattern for my bikini top. For the bottoms, I used a pattern I already had. You can use any underwear or bikini bottoms you already own, and trace around them, making sure to leave seam allowance as you trace around it. 

Cut

Next, I cut out each pattern piece twice, since I was using the swimsuit fabric as my lining. 

Pin and sew

I pinned the two bottom front pieces together and the two bottom back pieces together, both with right sides facing, and sewed them together, leaving a small gap in the stitching so I could turn them right sides out afterward. 

Next, I attached the side pieces to the top front pieces. I used a serger for this, but you can also use a zigzag stitch on a regular sewing machine. However, I do recommend using a super stretch needle. If you have a non-stick presser foot, you should use that, as well. 

After that, I pinned my top pieces together, with right sides facing, and sewed them together, leaving small openings in the stitching at the top corners, so I can run the straps through them later. 

Attach elastic

Next, I attached elastic bands to all the edges with a zigzag stitch. I used a thicker elastic band for the underbust to make it a little more supportive. 

For the rest of the edges, I used a 5 mm (1/4 inch) elastic. I did not attach any elastic to the top edges. 

I also applied 5 mm (1/4 inch) elastic to all the seams on the bottom parts of the bikini. 

Turn right side out

I then ripped a small area of one side seam of my bikini top, so I could pull the fabric through and turn it right side out. 

Sew

The next step was to sew straight across the top edges of the bikini to create a little tunnel for the straps. Unfortunately, I lost the footage for this step, so I’m showing you the finished product here. 

Pin and sew

Next, I folded, pinned, and sewed down the side edges of the top to create tunnels for the straps. I also topstitched the side seam closed where I had ripped it previously. 

Create straps

Then I sewed what felt like one million straps, but in reality, it was only four really long ones. I can’t tell you exactly how long, because I eyeballed it. But they were all about 3 centimeters (1 inch) wide.  

Insert bottom straps

With the bottom pieces still inside out, I inserted the straps through the open crotch seam, and pinned and sewed them down at the sides. I did this for both the front and back bottom pieces.

Pin and sew

Then, I turned the front bottom piece right side out and inserted it into the back bottom piece, which was still inside out. I made sure that all the straps were inside, and away from the crotch seam.

Making sure the crotch areas of the front and back pieces were perfectly aligned, I pinned them together, and sewed them down, leaving a gap in the center of the seam so I could pull the fabric through to turn the bottoms right side out.

Sew

Then I hand-sewed the opening in the crotch seam closed. 

Insert the straps in the top

I attached a safety pin to the end of the straps and pulled them through the tunnels along the top and side edges. 

Adjust

Then I tried it on and realized the “V” part in the front was way too deep, so I closed that up a little. And then I was done!

I absolutely love the color and floral pattern on this fabric and think the whole thing came out ridiculously cute. I hope you use my tutorial to make a DIY bikini of your own, because I think you’ll do great, and you’ll totally rock this swimsuit. Let me know in the comments what you think of my basic DIY bikini.