Home >> Hobbies >> Sewing

How to Make Your Own Swimsuit With a Built-In Bra

Shopping for a swimsuit can be a difficult task. It may be hard to find the right size, color or style. Fortunately, it's not too difficult to sew a homemade bathing suit. With the proper materials and tools, any moderately skilled seamstress can make her own swimsuit. However, making the swimsuit itself is just the first task. Most women need a built in bra or bra cups in their swimsuits. Luckily, it's super easy to add a built-in bra to any bathing suit.

Things You'll Need

Spandex or Lycra fabric
Swimsuit lining fabric
Tank top
Underwear
Fabric scissors
Thread
Sewing machine
Stretch needle
1-inch wide elastic
Bra cups

Instructions

- 1
  Fold a piece of spandex in half, and lay it on a flat surface. Lay a well-fitting tank top on top of the fabric. Lay a pair of underwear on top of the fabric, directly below the tank top.
- 2
  Cut out the fabric around the outline of the tank top and underwear, adding 1/2 an inch all around the outline for seam allowance. Make sure to cut through both layers of fabric, so you have two identical pieces of fabric.
- 3
  Lay the two pieces of fabric directly on top of each other, right sides of the fabric together. Sew together the top of the straps, the sides and the crotch area. Leave the arm holes, leg holes and collar open.
- 4
  Fold the arm holes, collar and leg holes under 1/4 inch, and hem them, tucking the raw edge of the fabric under as you go.
- 5
  Cut a piece of swimsuit lining fabric that is 12-inches wide and long enough to wrap around the bust. Fold the fabric in half, bringing the shorter edges together.
- 6
  Sew the shorter edges of the fabric together, forming a sort of tube of fabric. Hem one of raw edges of the tube of fabric 1 inch, leaving a 1-inch opening in the side of the hem.
- 7
  Cut a piece of elastic that is just long enough to wrap around your chest, just underneath the bust. Thread this piece of elastic through the bottom hem of the lining, using the 1-inch opening. Gather the fabric as needed.
- 8
  Sew the two ends of the elastic together, and sew the 1- inch opening closed. Sew the two bra cups to one side of the swimsuit lining.
- 9
  Sew the top of the built-in bra to the top of the swimsuit, just underneath the shoulder straps. Tuck the bra down into the swimsuit.

Sewing