How to Make This Easy Bandeau Bikini In Less Than 5 Hours
If you’re looking for a quick and easy, yet super cute bikini to make for your next vacay, this bandeau bikini is the perfect one! It seriously only took me about 5 hours to make (and that includes the extra time it took to film this as well).
This is also a great project for beginners to try, because it really is the easiest swimsuit I’ve ever made.
Despite the small amount of time I spent on it, this ended up being one of my favorite go-to bikinis this summer. It’s nice and easy to throw on, but still makes you look fantastic.
Ready to try it yourself?
All you need is a basic sewing machine or serger, swimwear fabric and thread, and a few notions that you can find at your local fabric store. Let’s do this!
Watch the video below or follow my step-by-step instructions to find out how to make this fun bandeau bikini.
Fabric:
Half the battle of making swimwear is just finding the right fabric! At some stores it’s crazy expensive or isn’t available at all or if there is swimwear fabric, there’s none with a nice pattern.
Maybe you’ve dealt with the same issue before and simply took what you could get. I’ve definitely been there! But if you’re willing to buy fabric online, I’d absolutely recommend it. These are my favorite places to buy swimwear fabric from:
- The Fabric Fairy: This is probably my favorite one because there are tons of options! What’s even better is that their prices are great and the quality is exceptional. Every fabric I’ve gotten has a nice stretch without being see-through and is super soft.
I could go on and on about this place but, long story short, you can’t go wrong here!
- Fabric.com: They also have several options when it comes to swimwear. The quality is also great and has a super silky, soft finish to it. Whereas The Fabric Fairy has fairly set prices when it comes to swimwear, Fabric.com has a bit of variation, so you can find something for every price point.
If you’re doing a big fabric haul, this would be my best recommendation since there are so many other nice types of fabric/notions to buy from them as well.
- JoAnn Fabrics: Whatever your local fabric store is, odds are they’ll have at least a small selection of swimsuit fabric. For me, that store is Joann’s, and although there aren’t many choices, the ones they have are generally pretty nice!
Materials:
- 1 Yard of fabric and lining fabric (although I used my regular fabric as my lining as well)
- Matching 100% polyester thread
- Sturdy padded inserts matching your bra size (this shape works best)
- 1/4″ braided elastic
Step-By-Step Instructions:
- Cut your fabric (I used an existing bandeau bikini of mine to determine sizing. You could also use a strapless bra as a sizing guide though.)
- Sew front pieces to back pieces: line up the sides of the front pieces with the sides of the back pieces – right sides together – and sew with a zig zag stitch
- Line up outer and inner pieces – right sides together – and sew completely around the edges
- Add elastic to the back for more durability and support
- Seam rip 1″ holes on the inner side seams
- Trim excess fabric and flip the entire top right side out
- Insert padding through holes in inner seams
- Hand-stitch holes closed
And that’s it!
Now, I know that was kind of a rough guide, but it’s all explained in more detail in the video. So check it out and follow along!
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced sewer, this is a fun, quick and easy project to try out. To make both the tops and bottoms, it really only took me about 5 hours. Despite how speedy of a project it was, this bandeau bikini ended up being one up my favorites this summer.
So, I really hope you try it out! Not only will you feel amazing in this swimsuit, but you’ll feel even better knowing you made it all on your own.
If you do try it out, be sure to tag me and use the hashtag #travelherstyle! I’d love to share the final look.
Need a little more support than a bandeau top? Try making this same top but with straps with my tutorial here.
If you want to make something a little more traditional like a triangle bikini top, just follow this tutorial.
Good luck and have fun!
Love,
Emily