So, you bought a fab swimsuit last year and just realised that it does not fit your body perfectly anymore. Maybe you have lost or gained a few pounds. Maybe the style has changed or the swimsuit has lost its elasticity. Maybe you don’t feel like wearing that same pattern again; yet, cannot afford to buy a new one, at least, for now. Or perhaps you have purchased a new swimsuit that was love at first sight, only to realise that it actually sagged or bunched in the wrong places (love is blind, right?). Whatever the reason, it is important to know that you can do wonders for your clothes, beachwear included. Today, we give you some great tips to alter your swimsuit (and his board shorts!) and look amazing on the beach this year.
1. Use Lace to Turn your Bikini Into a Lux, Lounge Wear
Jazz up an old or boring bikini by sewing lace on it. You will need the right measurements if you are doing this on your own so you get everything right. These include:
-
The length between the bottom of the bra cups to the bottom.
-
The length between sides to bottoms.
-
The length between the middle of the chest to bottoms.
-
The width around the torso.
Once you spread the swimsuit out, cut the lace accordingly and flip the bikini inside out to sew the lace as close to the edge of the bikini as possible (careful not to hit the underwire). Make sure you pin the lace to the bikini first. If you want, you can also put button holes in the lace and make a sexy corset back. Now, if you are not very good at sewing, you can find waterproof glues at craft stores that will solve your problem. You may also try this with a basic black bathing suit and play with textures and colours to create an incredible one piece.
2. Add Embellishments
If you feel drawn by boho style and would like to add a boho flair to your swimsuit, try vintage embellishments. It could be beads, sequins, pearls, an old boho tie your grandpa gave you, even a retro brooch. You can place matching pieces of the chosen boho embellishment on the hips of your bikini or at the deep V of your one-piece neckline. Just be creative.
Tip: Use the hot glue gun if you are sewing averse. However, we also suggest you add a couple of stitches too, to make sure you don’t lose anything valuable at the beach.
3. Alter the Straps
Many times, a top is either too tight to the point the breasts squeeze out into the armpits or a bit too saggy. Tailoring the straps of the swimsuit will most likely save your day. Try either adding length if you have basic sewing skills or shortening them with a sewing machine. Alternatively, you could snip them off the back side and use them as a halter tie around the neck if you don’t want to get involved in sewing projects. In this case, just make sure you trim the straps to the desired length.
4. Turn your One-Piece into a High-Waist Bikini
If your some reason your one-piece does not fit you as perfectly as before but do not want to throw it away because you love the pattern, you can turn it into a high-waist bikini. Here is how:
-
Mark the suit half an inch above where you want the bottom piece to hit (use a pin), and all the way around.
-
Cut where you have pinned the fabric and cut off the extra fabric from under the bra area. Make sure you leave an extra half-an-inch room so you can hem it up and achieve a better, more professional look.
-
Get some elastic (must be skinny) and cut it about half an inch shorter than the length around the waist of the bathing suit. This will become your bottom piece. Take the raw edge of the fabric and fold it over the elastic.
-
Pin the fabric into place and sew the elastic into place. It will probably not look flat when you are done but rest assured it will be fine when you put on the suit.
-
If you want to make ties (i.e. if your suit has a scoop), cut down the middle section of the fabric to have 2 long strips and then sew them together before you sew each one where the top piece creates a curve. Tie a bow.
-
Fold under the raw edge (on the top piece) and sew around.
-
Sew around the bottom piece.
5. Alter your Tie-Back Bikini for Extra Security
You can easily turn your tie-back bikini into a bathing suit with clasp fastening to help fix any extra room you may have in the bustline. To begin with, make a small slice in the lining of the swimsuit and fill it out with silicone bra inserts. Reattach the lining and check whether the legs of the bathing suit end at the right spot. If not, hem the straps so that they reach just above the hip bone. This will also elongate the legs and make you look slimmer too.
Finally, add a hook (fold an end to create one and sew it) and an eye to the ends of the strap ties for a more secure closing on your top (insert the end of the tie through the hook and fold it over – then sew together).
6. Flip it Around or Ombre it!
If you find your bikini a bit boring this year, flip the top and bottom around and work with the inside fabric of the suit. The usually one-colour inside fabric is a great canvas for you to try to give an entirely new flair to your look. From flowers and lace to sequins and beads, options are endless.
If you do this with your one-piece, why not give it an impressive ombre look (can also work with bikinis)?
Ombre Dip Dye Technique
-
Protect your work space from staining (you can cover it with plastic).
-
Heat enough water to fully cover the fabric when submerged in it.
-
Soak the bathing suit in warm water (if the suit is wet, it will dye better and more evenly).
-
Pour the water into another container – one that you will use for dyeing – once the water is close to boiling.
-
Add about ½ a cup of the dye you have chosen (put rubber gloves on) and shake it well. Depending on the effect you wish to achieve, you can use more or less amount of dye.
-
Dip the fabric all the way into the dye (unless you want to add a second colour or want the white to show) for just a few seconds (hold onto the corners). To create the ombre look, the bottom of the suit will be in the dye the longest amount of time (about 30mins in total) while the top will be in the least.
-
In small up and down motions (to create a smooth gradient), pull the suit further out of the dye. Make sure you also move it around so the dye reaches all the areas. For more noticeable lines between the different shades of colour, hold the suit still on various levels.
-
Rinse the warm water when you are 100% satisfied with the result.
-
Rinse the suit with cold water until the water runs clear.
-
Toss it in the washing machine (on cold).
-
Hang to dry.
Note: If you wish to add a second colour, rinse the suit and repeat the process. Dip the other end of the suit into the 2nd dye, overlapping the existing colour. Rinse well and machine wash like above.
7. Take in His Board Shorts
Be it your hubby, love of your life (aka son!) or a friend you just want to make a favour tailoring his board shorts, you will not have a tough time in doing so. Swimming trunks and board shorts usually come with a drawstring and an elastic waistband. Here is what to do to take in board shorts:
-
Measure the waist and hips.
-
Remove the drawstring or cord from the shorts.
-
Remove the tag and seam it out of the waistband of the shorts.
-
Carefully remove the stitching of the elastic band. You will end up with an extra 1-2 inches of fabric once you remove all the excess threads (the fabric is usually folded over the elastic and sewn there).
-
Measure and fold over the excess fabric until you get the right size of shorts.
-
Pin at the waist and along the dart (the folded edge). Make sure you are not closing any pockets when you pin the fabric.
-
Iron the dart with the pins on (careful as they will be very hot when you iron them), as well as the flap of fabric. Ensure you have a sharp crease in the fabric. This will make sewing much easier as it will help hold the shape of the dart and not let it bunch up near the waistline.
-
Use a strong double stitch to sew the top of the dart on the waistband and then at the bottom of the waistband.
-
Measure out your new elastic (use your old elastic as a guide) and subtract the dart measurement. Pin the elastic into the waistband, making sure the elastic does not over-extend (it should have a slight stretch).
-
Help hide the elastic by folding the flap of fabric back down. Pin again.
-
Sew slowly using a zigzag stitch.
If you find yourself struggling with these alterations, no need to be let down. Just contact us and we will take it from there. No matter what your tailoring project is, from something as important and big as your wedding dress to pieces you wear every day (i.e. your leather jacket, business attire or summertime outfits), we are here to help; and, most importantly, we know how!
So, get your online quote now and let your fav pieces transform into the best version of themselves!
For more tailoring tips, check out our blog! We help you become an expert in altering your clothes so they fit great and scream your unique, personal style!
