I think vintage high-waist bikinis are classy, comfy and cute! But, they cost quite a lot of money if you buy them in the store and they’re hard to find also – and there’s no guarantee they’ll fit you properly.

It’s very simple and inexpensive to sew them yourself at home! Once you get the sizing right – you can make lots of different styles.

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I’ll guide you through the process here! The bikini bottoms I made were from real vintage swimsuit material that I got from my grandma – obviously any swimsuit stretchy material will work!

I tried to get a variety of photos so you could really see how the fit was – I didn’t do the best job in photographing myself – but I tried!

If you have any questions, please ask. Did you use this instructable in your classroom? Add a Teacher Note to share how you incorporated it into your lesson.

Now layout your fabric.

Be sure to check your fabric to see where and how it stretches. It may be much stretchier going one direction vs. Cut it out so that the stretchiest part is what you’re using and the stretch is going in a horizontal direction.

That provides you with a lot of extra leeway with the size – offering you a lot of stretch if needed.

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Before you cut it out, decide which style of a bikini bottom you want to make. If you plan to make the simple one piece without cutting the front piece into three as you can see in the imagethen you may use the pattern and cut out the pieces.

Do not slice out three pieces from the Front Pattern piece. The front pattern piece will consist of one piece only.

The suit I made with the ruffles was made with one pattern piece for the front. Do not cut the main pattern piece into three pieces unless that is the style you’re going for.

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This is necessary because the seams going down the front will take away some of the material. If you want to create bottom shown in one of my images with the pleated sides – you’ll definitely need to add a good two inches to the pattern.

Maylana and Orchid Label have fantastic high-waisted bottom styles; Maylana for instance has the beautiful Dayjah bottom with an elegant caged design along the sides and a sophisticated moderate coverage Kapono Bottom. Bikini bottoms high waisted If you haven’t sewn in elastic before into a seam, this may be tricky at first. Super high waisted bikini styles are especially flattering for.

In addition, if you plan on making the pleated side bikini bottom, you’ll need to cut an additional two pattern pieces. Those pieces will be the same as the side pieces for the front, with an additional four inches up and four inches of material below.

So, you’d need to prepare to cut out another two side pieces for the front, then extend the top four inches and the bottom four inches – and cut it out.

After cutting out the main pieces, then cut out the piece for the crotch. You’ll need to cutout a lining piece for the crotch as well.

If you decide to use the pattern as one full piece – you can avoid cutting out the crotch separately. Please note, if you plan to make the pleated side bottom or the ruffled suit, I will explain that last.

For now, I will explain the basic methods of constructing the suit.

I will also explain how to make the vintage style bikini top – in one of the last steps. Finally, it’s time to sew! If you haven’t sewn in elastic before into a seam, this may be tricky at first.

It’s worth it though! So, this is the way I did it. I then placed the front piece of material with the right side up on the sewing machine to prepare to sew the elastic onto the edge of the side.

The side will be sewn together to the side of the back piece – but not yet. First, lay the front piece of material right side up on the sewing machine, then place the elastic on top so it lines up with the edge.

Just do your best – doesn’t need to be perfect. Do not pull it tight as you sew – try to keep it about the same as the material, holding it gently and you can create a slight tension if you like.

However you do it, be consistent and do it the same on the other side. Do a zig zag stitch over the elastic piece all the way down the side.

Once that’s done, trim off any excess. Then, keep it right side up and take your back piece and place that right side down on top of the piece you just sewed the elastic to.

This beautiful bottom style is often paired up with bandeau or bralette style tops. Women’s Bikinis Two-Piece Swimsuits discounts on the best women’s two-piece swimwear I’m so sorry for not seeing this sooner – yes I think I understand you correctly – then yes, to sewing the top part front and side together.

Line the pieces up and sew another zig zag stitch onto it. I also did a straight stitch to secure it fully. The side is done – then repeat that on the other side.

Now for the crotch – wish there was a more pleasant word for it! Here is one. Take the crotch piece and the lining and sew them together along the side edges with a zig zag stitch.

Then, pin it to the front and back of the other main pieces.

After pinning, sew the pieces together so the crotch is attached. You can use a straight stitch and zig zag for extra stability. Trim any excess material.

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Now take your swimsuit bottom – and sew a zig zag stitch around the leg holes so everything has that stitch. Now you’ll need to sew in more elastic.

This is optional but recommended for the first suit anyway. I made one without any elastic down there and it turned out great – and felt more comfortable to me than with the elastic.

But, if you plan to swim a lot – or want things more secure and fitted – then elastic is important. You’ll need to sew the elastic onto the zig zag stitches you just made.

After sewing it on, you’ll then flip the material inward to hide the elastic within and sew another zig zag stitch.

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This part may be complicated. I’ve tried so many methods to this – and found one which works the best! This was a tip from BrianSews here – thank you Brian!

I’ve messed up a lot of suits by using the other methods – all of which are very popular but don’t work well in my opinion.

In fact, I’ll make an instructable on this in the near future for more clarity. So, take out your elastic – stretch it out several times first.

Prepare to sew it on the wrong side of your fabric edge along the leg hole openings and crotch. For the elastic, you don’t even need to cut a piece off the bunch – just hold onto one end.

Make two marks on your suit about 2 inches from the crotch seam in both directions.

Start sewing your elastic outside this area stretching it just slightly as you sew. When you approach your mark, give it a good stretch and resume light tension when the other mark is reached.

When I meet up with the other end of elastic I cut off so that the raw ends match up with NO overlap. I then zigzag the ends together which creates a flat transition and no lump on the outside.

Then, fold that elastic in and go over it on the right side of the fabric with a topstitch. I made an Instructable on doing a coverstitch with your sewing machine here.

If you practice you’ll notice that even though you don’t measure the same length of elastic for each leg both legs will match. Turn your elastic under and top stitch while stretching as necessary.

I like to stitch from the back so I can sew exactly on the edge of the elastic.

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Lastly, try it on and see how it fits and how you like the placement of the top of the suit. If it’s too long, trim it and stitch it up, fold the top down and stitch it again.

The bright floral print suit bottom I made did not use any elastic on the top. I only zig zag stitched it and left it.

I like that because I can actually very easily fold it way down so it’s a super cute smaller bikini bottom. See image! Last thing to do is make a top!

I can’t explain this step in as much depth as the other steps -but if you have questions, please ask. I did this more on a whim than anything so the pattern hasn’t been tested lots of times.

Here’s what I did and how you can use it. I took an old bra which fits me fine and I planned to use it as a base for the bikini top.

28.01.2020 – But anyway, that’s basically what I did. You may want to do something similar, if possible. Both brands are recognized by their sophisticated style yet lively prints when it comes to designer swimwear. High waisted bikini styles strike a perfect balance between sexy and comfortable. Home High Waisted Bikini.

I wanted a lot of stability. I then cut out the bra pattern pieces – you need to do the same.

Thank you so much for posting this – I am really sorry I didn’t see it until now! Bikini bottoms high waisted Now take your swimsuit bottom – and sew a zig zag stitch around the leg holes so everything has that stitch. Oh my – You look amazing!

The two cup pieces need to be sewn together along the side that has the arrows. Once sewn together, flip it over right side up and sew a seam along the top of it see image.

Once this is done, this will be formed over the bra, pinned on and sewn on. Please note – this isn’t the most professional of ways to create a bikini top – although I like how it turned out.

I was impatient and could have done something nicer, lined and from scratch. But anyway, that’s basically what I did.