Turn a Leotard into a Bikini

Ivana Musura | Date posted: September 12th, 2011

• Share on Twitter
• Share on Facebook

Supplies:
1 (4-way stretch) long sleeved leotard
Any accessories of your choice: beads, rings, sequins
1/2″ wide elastic (length of your waist measurement)

Step 1: Use the seat of the leotard as the bikini bottom. Then use the leftover fabric to mark the pieces for the bikini top (two triangles). Use one sleeve to mark two long pieces (1″ wide) to make into a string-tie for the halter bikini top.
Step 2: Cut on marks.
Step 3: Serge all raw edges.
Step 4: To create the string-ties, sew 1″ wide pieces with right sides together, leaving a small opening to turn right sides out.
Step 5: Once the right sides have been turned out, sew opening closed.
Step 6: Make a casing at the waist of the bottom bikini piece by folding down 3/4″ and edge stitching. Leave an opening for the elastic. Then make a casing on the bikini top pieces by folding up 1/2″ of the bottom parts of the triangles and edge stitching.
Step 7: Fold back all the remaining serged edges and top stitch.
Step 8: Insert elastic through the casing of the bikini bottom by using a safety pin. Then stitch the opening closed.
Step 9: Insert longer string-tie through the wider part of the bikini top pieces. Tie knots on the ends or add beads.
Step 10: Sew the second string-tie to the narrow part of the bikini top pieces to act as a halter.

*Note: To allow for any design details, such as rings on the sides of the bikini bottom, add seam allowance to the piece of the bikini it will be sewn onto.

TAGS: Creative Idea, DIY, How-To, Project, Repurpose, Sewing

Ivana Musura

Ivana Musura has been surrounded by fashion ever since she can remember. She has been sewing since she was 10 years old and continued to boost her creativity by making custom outfits and accessories to...