How to Sew a Swimsuit in a Sexy Halter-Wrap Style

Tools and materials:

• Violet One Piece pattern
• Swimwear fabric - 1½ yards of outer and lining fabric. You may want to use two different fabrics so the suit is reversible.
• ¼-inch swimwear elastic
• Pins or clips
• Sewing machine
• Serger or overlock machine
• Rotary cutter/scissors
• Seam ripper

1. Make the pattern

Download and print the pattern. You’ll have 2 bottom pieces for the front and back and 1 bust piece you’ll use for the right and left bust.

Lay the pattern on the fabric and cut out the pieces. You should have two pieces of fabric for the front and back.

For the bust, you’ll need to cut 4 pieces. If it’s easier for you, fold the fabric so you cut 2 pieces at one time.

For the top part of the swimsuit, I like to use the same fabric for the outer layer and lining because the ruching makes the seams pop out and roll especially when tied around the neck. You do you!

2. Start construction

Match the front pieces to each other. Match the back pieces to each other as well, all right sides together. 

Tip: when sewing swimwear, do a basting stitch on your seams before serging, adding elastic, or using a zigzag stitch. While it doesn’t provide any structural support, it secures the fabric, making the actual sewing so much easier. You’ll get great results.

Sew, adding the ¼-inch swimwear elastic to the leg holes on the front and back pieces of the swimsuit bottom. Add the elastic to the front waist, leaving it off the back piece.

I prefer to use 4-thread overlock stitch on my serger. If you don’t have a serger, you can use a zigzag stitch.

If you need help in attaching elastic, check out my other video on how to sew swimwear elastic.

Lay the bust pieces together with two sets of two pieces, right sides together. Serge or zigzag stitch along all the open seams, leaving the wide, short, flat piece at the bottom unsewn.

You may want to add elastic here but I didn’t. It’s your choice. Note that it’s tricky to sew long pieces, so I highly recommend doing a basting stitch before sewing the bust pieces. 

3. Sew the swimsuit

Once all the pieces are serged, lay your pieces flat. Recall you left the back waistline unsewn and with no elastic. You’ll anchor the bust pieces there. While it sounds odd, it works quite well!

Insert the bust pieces into the back with the flat end at the top of the waistline.

Keep the back piece inside out, so the bust and back pieces are right sides together. Place them about ½ inch or a bit more in from the side seams. Angle the bust pieces as the excess will eventually be trimmed off.

Note that in the video the excess goes towards the center which is incorrect. The excess should go towards the side seams. Baste stitch to secure.

Then serge or zigzag stitch across the waistline to secure the bust pieces and tack down the optional elastic.

If you’re using a serger, the serger knife will trim the excess. If you’re using a sewing machine, trim the excess with your scissors.

Tuck all of the bust pieces into the back piece. You don’t want anything poking out. 

Take the front piece and turn it to right side. Sew the gusset and side seams closed.

Insert the front piece into the back piece.

Align the side seams and gussets. This sounds tricky because of the bust pieces inside. Take your time and make sure the front piece is as flat as possible and not twisted or bunched up. Clip in place.

Use the sewing machine and a straight stitch for a smooth, professional finish to sew the gusset and sides. Trim any excess.

4. Finishing your swimsuit

Everything is attached and now it needs to come to the right side. Use the seam ripper to open a 1- to 2-inch space on an existing seam.

Tuck your fingers in and take the entire swimsuit to the right side.

Finish off the open space with a straight stitch on your machine or invisible stitching by hand.

How to sew a swimsuit

All that’s left is to put on your new swimsuit and confidently wear something you made yourself. I hope I showed you how to make a swimsuit.

Please let me know in the comments if you made this and how many compliments you received!