Bra to Bathingsuit DIY | Tasha Delrae

http://www.tashadelrae.com/2011/03/bra-to-bathingsuit-diy.html

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TUESDAY, M ARCH 29, 2011

Bra to Bathingsuit DIY

Like my new bathingsuit top?? In it's previous life it was a bra! Do you ever wish you could have a bathingsuit top that would fit as perfectly as your bra? Well now you can!!

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Materials and Supplies -Old Bra -Bathing suit fabric (under 1/2 meter) -Thread to Match -Sewing Machine -Pins -Hand sewing needle -Bathingsuit Clasp

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Bra to Bathingsuit DIY

1 of 13

2012/08/06 04:43 PM

Bra to Bathingsuit DIY | Tasha Delrae

http://www.tashadelrae.com/2011/03/bra-to-bathingsuit-diy.html

**Make sure you use a stretch or zig-zag stitch for all the sewing** 1. Cut out a rectangle from your fabric that will completely cover both bra cups with plenty of extra room.
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2. Pin the fabric to the bra around the underwire starting at one side working your way to the middle. Pin both sides. Make sure that you have left the fabric a bit loose around the center front.
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3. Cut a slit down the center of your fabric that stops at least an inch above your bra edge.

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4. Cut off your bra straps, if needed round off the top of the bra so that it's smooth.

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5. Fold the fabric down over the top of the bra and pin down.

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2012/08/06 04:43 PM

Bra to Bathingsuit DIY | Tasha Delrae

http://www.tashadelrae.com/2011/03/bra-to-bathingsuit-diy.html

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6. Sew down the fabric along the top of the bra ending right at the underwire. Sew down the fabric on the bottom of the bra starting at the bottom of the side band, and ending on the opposite side. Make sure you do not sew through the underwire, or you will be going through A LOT of needles!

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7. Cut off the back bra closures. Trace a pattern of the side straps that starts from the side of the underwire. Be sure to include at least a 1cm seam allowance. Also make the band a bit longer at the back.

8. Cut out two side bands from your fabric. 9. Turn under the edge of your side band and pin it onto the bra up against the underwire. 10. Hand sew the band onto the bra in the same spot.

3 of 13

2012/08/06 04:43 PM

Bra to Bathingsuit DIY | Tasha Delrae

http://www.tashadelrae.com/2011/03/bra-to-bathingsuit-diy.html

11. Fold down the top and bottom edges of the band down over your bra.

12. Sew down the fabric starting at the edge of the underwire going to the end of the band on both the top and the bottom. Do this for both sides.

13. Cut out a piece of fabric approximately 15cm wide by 25cm long. Make a tubed band from this piece by sewing the long edges together. 14. Wrap the band around the center front of the bra and hand sew it into place on the inside of the bra. Make sure no raw edges show on the front of your bathing suit.

4 of 13

2012/08/06 04:43 PM

Bra to Bathingsuit DIY | Tasha Delrae

http://www.tashadelrae.com/2011/03/bra-to-bathingsuit-diy.html

15. On one side of the back band sew in the bathing suit clasp. On the otherside sew a small loop for the clasp to hold into. (The loop will look the same as below, just without the clasp in it)

All Done!! I actually took it one step further and sewed myself some straps.

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2012/08/06 04:43 PM

Bra to Bathingsuit DIY | Tasha Delrae

http://www.tashadelrae.com/2011/03/bra-to-bathingsuit-diy.html

I can not wait to wear this in Arizona, it is my best fitting bathing suit top I've ever owned! ***Update 4/23/12*** People keep wondering if this bathing suit top is actually "swimmable". Did you know that most bras are made out of the exact fibre content (Nylon and Spandex) as swimsuits?!? This is by far my most worn swim suit top...it's been to the ocean in Mexico, swimming in the local lake, relaxing in countless hot tubs, swimming in chlorine filled pools in Arizona and much more, and it's still holding up perfectly!
Posted by Natasha at 6:20 AM 65 Comments

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Labels: DIY, Self Made Clothes, sewing

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If only this tutorial could be applied to making swim bottoms out of my favorite vs panties. Gotta say they are way more flattering than any swim bottoms I've ever bought.

you're so right, i like how i look wearing underwear, but bikini bottoms are just aweful

i just bought a pair of maternity bottoms and they are fantastic. i am not pregnant and not very big- usually a size 8 in pants and i couldn't find ANYTHING that didn't push up

6 of 13

2012/08/06 04:43 PM

Bra to Bathingsuit DIY | Tasha Delrae

http://www.tashadelrae.com/2011/03/bra-to-bathingsuit-diy.html

the pudge and make me want to poke my eyes out :)

just use underwear as a base like she did with the bra and make sure you have enough room for a little stretching.

The problem with that is that cotton underwear is not swimming friendly. You need an appropriate liner with bathing suit bottoms or you'll be walking around with soggy bottoms all day. This tutorial can be applied to bras with ease because the material is very similar but not with underwear.

i've actualy done this with underware numerous times. If you use a silk underware base, cut it open at the two hip seams, and use it as a template and then sew the fabric on, it works like a dream. i even made it so that you can tie the sides!

Yeah you want to make sure you use the right swimwear fabric but don't worry about buying the liner fabric... just line it with itself (again... reversible style) and skip the elastic on the buns and you've got perfect swim suit bottoms!

It's actually pretty easy to do! Use the pair of panties as a pattern and cut 2 of each piece. If you make them sort of reversible style and add a loose waist band then you don't need elastic on the butt part so they're super flattering! My favorite swimsuit bottoms are the ones I made like this!

Having a large bust ( im talking 34 ddd status) its really difficult finding a bathing suit top that give both coverage and support. This is the PERFECT solution!!

I'm with you! So difficult for us busty girls with a small rib cage! I'm a 34 DDD as well and I am going to start on this ASAP! It's the perfect way to put those old bras to use as well.

This is a great idea , if your looking for a real suit in your guys size look up Panache swim or Greta swim. And be sure to get fitted by an accredited fitter - or nordstroms if that's all you can find. I run a store for busty but small rib or just plain busty in hb, ca. I'm a 36FF myself.

Greta was supposed to be Freya. Freya swim.

7 of 13

2012/08/06 04:43 PM

Bra to Bathingsuit DIY | Tasha Delrae

http://www.tashadelrae.com/2011/03/bra-to-bathingsuit-diy.html

Totally understand your pain girls! I love this idea I'm a 30FF myself and finding bras is nearly impossible let alone a swim suit!

I have the same problem! And I thought I was the only one!!!!!

I'm a 34 DD and this is exactly what I need, thank you for sharing!!

Same here! I'll be doing this!

I want to be able to make a tankini out of this!!

i would also like to make a tankini. I like them better.

Is there any way you could do this and keep the straps? The halter is the worst part for me...pulling down on my neck is the most uncomfortable thing ever! Maybe if I tried with a black bra, the straps would be black.. What does it matter whether I swim in a bra or bikini top?! It's the same thing!

Thank you thank you!! I was so fed up I was thinking, "I'm just gonna make my own freakin' bathing suit out of a bra!! (Maybe a new one!)" And here you have it step by step! I'm a crap sewer and was just gonna wing it so this is perfect!!!

I think I'd like to add a "flounce" to cover my tummy. This is a great idea.

This is a great tutorial for people who have basic sewing skills.

Soooo cool!! I'm so glad you have this tutorial!! It's proved to me that I can do this!! ;) I will be following your tutorial with the exception of a few design changes. :)

8 of 13

2012/08/06 04:43 PM

Bra to Bathingsuit DIY | Tasha Delrae

http://www.tashadelrae.com/2011/03/bra-to-bathingsuit-diy.html

Wow, this is awesome. I have the hardest time with bikini tops, and have spent an absurd amount of money on them in the past just to find ones that fit. I have a larger chest, so I will definitely have to try this out! Thanks for the inspiration!

I hope it works well for you! Of course there's many design alterations you could make as well!

cute, but you probably couldn't swim in it since bras aren't made out of the sort of fabric you'd generally swim in. nice for tanning and showing off I guess?

It's perfectly swimmable. Most bras are made out of Nylon and Spandex, which is the same material as swimsuits :)

Thank you so much for this nice idea, i've thought about it but didnt know how to do it.

amazing!!

Amazing, I can never find swimmers that fit, this will be perfect!!!!

I love you. That is all.

This is so great! I'm a big chested girl who lives in a small chested country (mexico) and finding a bathing suit that fits is hell so this is a life saver! Thank you!!!

Oh, what a wonderful idea! The possibilities! A cute swim suit that actually fits. Didn't think it was possible without spending a fortune. Thanks for the inspiration :)

This is so genius! Thanks for sharing. :)

9 of 13

2012/08/06 04:43 PM

Bra to Bathingsuit DIY | Tasha Delrae

http://www.tashadelrae.com/2011/03/bra-to-bathingsuit-diy.html

OMG....I wish I could sew or knew someone that could make this for me!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE this idea

I have always wanted to try this. They should make suits with bras that support for swimming suits. Bet you could start a business doing that!.

you are a woman after my own heart. just a few weeks ago i wrote a post about why it shouldn't be so hard to find a good fitting top! i would really like to try this

which kind of threads did you use for the side bands because when i tried it before, it wasnt wear-able because the threads would just hold the fabric from stretching

I used regular polyester thread...did you use a zig-zag or stretch stitch? All stitching should be done with either of those. Hopefully that helps :)

Can you do this even with cotton bras?

words cannot express how much i'm glad i found this!! thanks! xx

This is awesome! I have a strapless bra that I paid a lot for (I'm a 34 E so obviously these things are not cheap) but don't find myself wearing enough (like, ever) so this is PERFECT! And thanks for the tip on adding straps! You should try another tutorial with straps this time :o)

OMG i neeeed to do this! I always have a hard time finding a bathing suit that fits my boobs! lol

Brilliant. I have 2 questions though: First, will it work with a bra when the band is stretched beyond normal usability? Second, would it be possible to save the straps of the bra? I'm not too keen on the idea of a strapless bikini top...

If its just the back that's stretched out it should work great...I wouldn't cut any extra off

10 of 13

2012/08/06 04:43 PM

Bra to Bathingsuit DIY | Tasha Delrae

http://www.tashadelrae.com/2011/03/bra-to-bathingsuit-diy.html

because the addition of the extra layer of fabric could pull it back in a bit, and if it doesn't it would be quite easy to remove some fabric from the back straps. As for the straps if they arent removable I would still cut them off to cover the top, and then cover the straps seperatly makings sure to lengthen them and then sew it on to the bathing suit. I hope this makes sence :) Its hard to explain things from my phone (on vacation)...I hope this works for you!

This is the best idea. All these years I have been trying to find a swim suit top that fits. I will be using this idea this week!! Thanks.

I did this and it turned out so adorable, but I couldn't wear it because when I sewed it, it took the stretch away and it won't fit around. So disappointed :(

Next time use a stretch stitch on your machine (or even a zigzag) and you should have better luck.

Would love to have seen bottoms too. Any suggestions on those?

I traced my favorite pair of panties for swim bottoms. Worked great. (I sewed elastic around the legs and waist.

Where did you get your fabric? I would love to try this! Super cute and awesome idea! :)

I got a slightly used large swim suit at a thrift stor and used the fabric from that, so cheep. I even had enough material to make bottoms.

I found it at Fabricland (Canada) over 5 years ago :)

so where can you buy swim suit fabric and clasp? and will it work if you dont have a sewing machine?

11 of 13

2012/08/06 04:43 PM

Bra to Bathingsuit DIY | Tasha Delrae

http://www.tashadelrae.com/2011/03/bra-to-bathingsuit-diy.html

go to the thrift store and pick up a slightly used swim suit. you will have plenty of fabric and a clasp

Any fabric store (Joanne's, etc) should have swimsuit fabric and clasps, especially this time of year, though I opted to just hem my straps and tie them in the back.

You're my hero.

Love it!

i am working on a project where I need the padding material on a roll preferably 60inchs wide. what is the padding material called? thanks for your help

sweet! great DIY idea.

wow what a brilliant idea! no excuses to throw away those old bras now eh? ;)

OH MY GAWSH!!! THIS IS BRILLIANT!- I would actually love to custom make a bottom. Bottoms are the worst of the worst for me. I'm going to experiment!!! But I'm crossing my fingers that you will think of a way. Thanks for sharing!

This is too awesome!

Whoa, that's brilliant!! And adorable!

this is really nice and cute.. but IF you have a bra that you really adore ( or a style of one) don't cover it in material.. just add a few embellishments like some shoe string with a couple of beads on it in the front middle, and right where your shoulder straps begin to match the cute one tied in the front of your bra.. who will EVER know the difference but you :) This works perfect for large breasted women who really have a hard time with neck straps and who still need that extra extra support. ( Also) another great idea.. take your well fitted bra and add material to the bottom to make a longer bathing suit top like you see in the stores if you want

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2012/08/06 04:43 PM

Bra to Bathingsuit DIY | Tasha Delrae

http://www.tashadelrae.com/2011/03/bra-to-bathingsuit-diy.html

to cover up any tummy or rib areas you don't want seen ( like in my case) lol again adding the fun beads with all sorts of different type of string, ties, embellishments. Annie ( who found this on pinterest, and so glad I did) :)

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2012/08/06 04:43 PM