Easy Bikini

Trade in your old yoga pants for a new suit.

Posted by justina b.

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(Illustrations by Ellen Schultz)

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You Will Need (4 things)

  • An old pair of stretch pants / Trousers
  • A few strips of Jersey (could be from an old T-shirt)
  • A Ribbon
  • Sewing Machine useful but not required (i.e., you can sew this project by hand if you don't own a sewing machine)

Steps (12 steps, 50 minutes)

  1. 1

    For the top
    Carefully cut the waistband off the stretch pants.

    Cut two triangular shapes from the stretch pants (we suggest you use a bra to roughly measure your size, remember to add a half inch for seam allowance).

  2. 2

    Take one jersey strip (2 inches wide) and sew flat around the two straight edges of the double triangular pieces. Repeat with other triangle.

  3. 3

    Cut open the waistband, leaving one long, elastic strip. Place and pin the rounded edges of both triangular shapes to the center of the elastic band.

  4. 4

    Use the zig-zag stitch on your sewing machine (or regular stitch if sewing by hand) to sew the rounded edges to the elastic band gathering the fabric in the center of each triangle (for larger boobs, slightly overlap the two triangles for more support).

  5. 5

    Cut up one jersey strip onto five thin slices about 10 inches long. Put the pieces together and sew together in the center to create "pom-pom'.

  6. 6

    Sew ribbon to tops of each triangle, and cut to desired length depending on your size.

  7. 7

    Sew pom-pom onto ribbon where desired.

  8. 8

    For the bottoms

    Cut out desired "panty shape" from stretch pants (you can use panties or bikini bottoms to measure your size, remember to add a half inch for seam allowance.)

  9. 9

    Take two jersey strips (2 inches wide) and sew flat around each leg hole, using the zig-zag stitch.

  10. 10

    Take one jersey strip and sew flat using the zig-zag stitch around the waist, pulling the jersey while leading in into the sewing machine to create elasticity in the waist.

  11. 11

    Create a pom-pom as described.

  12. 12

    Sew to rim where desired.