How to Make a Sexy Black Lace Bodysuit in 8 Simple Steps

Tools and materials:

• 2 yards stretch mesh lace fabric
• Scrap lining fabric
• 3 snap buttons
• Thread
• Scissors
• Measuring tape
• Sewing machine

1. Make a bodysuit pattern

If you have a bodysuit already, then you can use that as your pattern. If you don’t have a bodysuit, you can make your pattern using a tank top and a pair of underwear.

Trace your bodysuit pattern as one piece on your paper, adding 2-3 inches to the crotch length to accommodate some snap buttons. When tracing your bodysuit, extend the arms to the length you would like, keeping the top of the arm on the fold of your fabric.

When cutting the pattern, cut the armholes so that the arm pieces are separate. Trace and cut the front and back of the pattern separately, as their shape differs slightly.

2. Sew the bodysuit seams

Sew the shoulder, side seams, and under the arm seams, with fabric right sides facing.

3. Fit the bodysuit

Try on the bodysuit now to see if you need to make any adjustments. For example, you may want to add some darts on the sides.

Tip: if you are making darts, don’t backstitch at the end. Instead, cut the thread leaving a couple of inches attached, and tie it off. Then cut the extra thread off.

4. Attach the bodysuit sleeves

To easily attach the sleeves, turn the sleeves and the bodice right side out, then insert the sleeves all the way into the bodysuit. Pin them in place and sew all the way around the armhole.

5. Make the bodysuit neckband

You will need a neckband that is one inch smaller than the circumference of your bodysuit neckline. But you will also need to cut the neckband pieces with a seam allowance.

So, measure the total circumference of the neckline and remove 1 inch from the measurement. Divide the new measurement by 2. This is almost the final length of each piece of the neckband. Now, just add a seam allowance all around the neckband pieces.

Cut two neckband pieces to the length determined and 2 inches (plus seam allowance) wide. 

Sew both short sides of the neckband pieces, with right sides facing in. 

Fold the neckband in half lengthwise, right side facing out. Pin the neckband to the neckline, right sides facing, matching up the neckband side seams to the shoulder seams. All raw edges should be at the top.

Sew the neckband to the neckline.

6. Hem the bodysuit sleeves

Fold the sleeve hems under twice and sew the hem.

7. Line the bodysuit crotch

Lacy fabric is pretty flimsy, so you will want to stabilize the crotch of the bodysuit with lining fabric.

Cut a piece of lining fabric to the width of the bodysuit crotch and double the length. Fold the fabric in half and pin it to the inside of the bodysuit crotch.

Hem the entire bottom part of the bodysuit using a serger or zigzag stitch. 

Secure the loose end of the crotch lining with a straight stitch.

8. Attach snap closures

Make three evenly spaced marks on the crotch lining for the snaps. Use a snap tool to attach the snap buttons to the two ends of the crotch.

How to make a bodysuit tutorial

This bodysuit pairs beautifully with a tank top. Best of all, because the bottom was hemmed with a zigzag stitch, it doesn’t create any visible lines under your clothes. Leave a comment to let me know how your mesh lace bodysuit turned out.