Twist and Tie Bikini Top

If you live in North America, you might think that making a bikini in the dead of winter is a bit of a strange thing.....unless you're about to travel to the other side of the globe so that you can remember what the warmth of the sun feels like!!!  (Australia here I come!)

If you're heading out on vacation soon and want to make your own bikini, all you need is about a metre of spandex and a standard sewing kit.  Believe it or not, my fabric had been sitting on a shelf, cut into a dress, half finished for the past several years.  I decided I was never actually going to finish the dress, so I ripped what little had been sewn together and pieced together a whole new outfit!  Yay, for decluttering!

Steps:
1) Keeping in mind that I'm very small up top, cut two rectangles approximately  6.5" X 16".  If you're lucky enough to have some womanly curves, then expand your rectangle.  (16" corresponds to the approximate width across the chest from one side of the breast to the opposite side, not quite all the way under the arm)

2) With right sides together, sew your two rectangles together.  Break your stitching on the top and bottom seams about .5" before the side seam.  Also, don't forget to leave a spot open for turning.

3) Turn your fabric right side out.  Slip stitch your opening that you used for turning.  Each corner should have a small opening in it.

4) On the outside, stitch about .5" away from each side, creating casings.

5) Set your bra piece aside and cut one loooooong drawstring about 1.75" X 32" (or longer if you need it).

6) To make your drawstring, just fold the fabric in half lengthwise, right sides together, and sew with a 3/8" seam allowance all the way down.  Then just use a safety pin and feed the fabric into itself until it's right side out.

7) Feed one end of the drawstring UP from the bottom casing on one side of your bra piece.

8) Twist your bra piece and then feed the other end of your drawstring UP the casing on the other side.

It doesn't look like much but it's surprisingly comfortable and I feel very secure in it.

For the bottoms I just used my favourite Kwik Sew undies pattern that I know fits perfectly.

If you're looking for something with a bit more flexibility try my Endless Options Bikini Top.  It's just as easy to make but you can wear loads of different ways~

Are you heading out on a hot weather holiday this year?  Leave a comment and tell us where you're going!