The bikini bottom can also tie at the side which reduces sewing seams.
I have several swimsuits from previous years which are too small, lost their elasticity, or are too revealing. I have watched several videos on making swimsuits and learned some interesting tips.
1 Bra Template
You can use a sports bra as a template for a top. You could even re-use it as all or part of a two-piece bikini or one-piece swimsuit.
A simple bikini tie-on is the triangular design with a threaded ribbon around under the bra's breasts and tied at the back.
For the shoulders, two spaghetti straps are sewn onto the bikini at the top and tied behind the neck
To add cleavage, turn a bandana or strip bra shape into a bra or swimsuit or dress top with cleavage, simple sew a strip of ribbon of matching material vertically around the mid point between the bust.
3 Remove Cleavage
Cut off the retaining piece between the busts. You might end up with a very flat piece. Consider adding swimsuit supports?
Where do you find them? In American you can buy bra or swimsuit bust supports. Or buy a cheap bra containing supports.
Recycling Swimsuit parts
What can you rescue from old swimsuits?
1) Removable straps with the clips on the strap and the swimsuit.
2) The back clasp.
3) A piece of fabric to spiral into a decorative rose.
4) A strip of fabric to expand a costume or join the two bikini halves to make a one-piece. Not enough fabric? Sew ribbons of fabric to create a ladder effect.
5) The old bikini bottoms as lining so your swimsuit is not see-through and gives more support. The old bikini bottoms to create a properly shaped and seamed gusset linking two triangles.
6) Either cut out the good bits of fabric. Or cut out the bad bits of fabric. (In London, England, you can get money back from bags of fabric by weight, and the bag of fabric can include torn and stained fabric, which is sent for recycling.)
7) Before you throw away that old swimsuit, see if it has removable pads. What about shoulder pads from old garments?
4 Cutting
Cut fabric with a rolling cutter (technical term rotary cutter). Cut on a large specialised soft cutting board - which folds for storage) . This saves the fabric from jagged or zig zag lines when cutting with scissors. (I used extra large wallpaper scissors, which are no dearer than small scissors, but still risk getting points left behind.)
5 Non-run Cotton Fabric
Whilst you could use a tee-shirt to add sleeves, or cotton fabric for the swimsuit, be careful not to use fabrics whose colours run.
6 Stretch Fabric
Stretch fabric can give your bust and tummy and bottom support. Or line your swimsuit with a second layer. Or buy a cheap support garment.
7 Reversible
To give the swimsuit shape or prevent it being see-through, add a lining fabric. Sew both inside out. If you use the same stretch fabric in different colours, you can make a reversible swimsuit, which is good for packing light on holiday.
8 Stretch Fabric and Stitch
Buy stretch fabric. Stitch with a zig zag stitch.
You can avoid sewing these ways:
Make a sarong which ties around the neck.
Use a scarf clip which has two holes, like a buckle without the prong.
Buy a set so if you lose one you still have others. You can also match up colours.
Fasten hems with fabric glue. These can set us fast as ten minutes, as slow as overnight.
10 Re-use Small Swimsuits
Take a two small swimsuit and umpick the side. Insert ribbons of black stretch fabric horizontally up both sides under the arms.
Take two suits and sew them back to back, with strips of fabric from the spare pieces down each side.
11 Spare Fabric
Make a matching swimming cap.
Sew a strip onto a plain white or black baseball cap or large brim hat to make a matching set.
Sew a strip, or curl a strip spiralled into a rose, to sew on a plain black or white or co-ordinating colour towelling or plastic tote bag.
Useful Websites
You can sign up for several video websites on Youtube. I found some cute young girls in the USA who had understandable accents. They tended to make short skirts and revealing tops.
I am trying to do the reverse. In Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia I need cover ups. Why?
a) In Singapore the fashion is for one piece. The sun is too hot and you want to look pale and interesting and avoid getting sunburned.
b) In Australia and Singapore the warning posters in hospital A and E departments and magazine articles show you skin cancer and warn you to cover up.
c) In Malaysia many beaches and swimming pools in hotels warn foreigners that one piece costumes are required for 'modesty'. When all the locals (girls and women) are wearing cover up costumes and the men stare at you, you soon wish you had something less revealing.
Shopping List (alphabetical)
Fabric Glue
Rotary Cutter
Seam Ripper
 |
| Seam ripper |
Lastly, Towelling Wraps
Turn an old towel into a miniskirt or a towelling poncho. You just need a diamond shape for the head. Sew the edges securely. The smartest way would be to cover with a binding. But over-sewing works well.
The extra diamond shape can be used for a pocket. Or to trim a baseball cap.
When it's sunny, you don't want waste time indoors sewing. But when the weather is overcast or rainy, that is a good time to get out your old swimsuit, beachwear and make something new.
Happy days!
Useful websites
This site suggests using your old costume jewellery as handles.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/02/style/dish-towel-tote-bag.html
http://livingwithbeth.com/10-things-make-old-towels-will-blow-mind/
About the Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, British, living in the UK, also Singapore Resident, lived in the UK, USA and Singapore.
You can link to me on LinkedIn and Facebook.
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Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer. Please see my other blogs and share links with your friends
travelwithangelalansbury.blogspot.com
dressofthedayangela.blogspot.com
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