Rock This DIY Color-Blocked Ballerina Swimsuit All Summer Long
Ballerina style is officially everywhere right now, from the perfect sleek bun to feminine ballet shoes, so it’s not surprising that ballerina-inspired swimsuits are one of the hottest looks of spring/summer 2017. I mean, how can you resist the appeal of ruffles, blush pink hues, wrap bodices, romantic lace-up details, and bows? We just can’t. But since finding great, affordable options on the market is not as easy as you may think, we decided it was time to brush up on our basic sewing skills and create our own color-blocked ballerina-inspired one-piece. Read on to give this feminine trend a try.
Materials and Tools:
- pink swimsuit
- black polyester fabric scrap
- matching elastic thread
- tailor’s chalk
- pins
- sewing machine
- fabric scissors
Instructions:
1. Wearing your swimsuit, spot a point under your belly button and mark it, then take the swimsuit off and draw a horizontal line as shown below.
2. Cut the swimsuit in half, following the line.
3. Cut the swimsuit bottom on the sides as shown below to create this flat, open shape.
4. Use the pink shape you just created as a template to trace its outline on a piece of black fabric.
5. Use the fabric scissors to cut, but remember to leave one inch of seam allowance. Once you’re done, fold in half.
6. Join the right and left edges together as shown below. Pin and sew.
7. Double fold the bottom edges and pin it in place. Then sew, using your sewing machine.
8. With your bottom piece facing right side in and your top part facing right side out, slide the top through the waist and pin so that the waist of the bottom piece and the bottom edge of the top piece meet. Pin all around the entire waist and sew.
Wearing your swimsuit, spot a point under your belly button and use a tailor’s chalk to mark it. Then take the swimsuit off and draw a horizontal line all around, as shown in the picture above. Next, cut along the line, then cut the bottom piece on the sides as shown above to create a flat, open shape. We’re going to use this as a template — take your black elastic fabric scrap and trace the pink shape outline using the tailor’s chalk.
Take your fabric scissors and cut, but remember to leave one inch of seam allowance. Once you’re done, fold in half. Join the right and left edges together as shown above, then pin and sew. Next, double fold the bottom hems, and pin and sew using your sewing machine to create some crisp edges. Last but not least, with your bottom piece facing right side in and your top part facing right side out, slide the top through the waist and pin so that the waist of the bottom piece and the bottom edge of the top piece meet. Pin all around the entire waist and sew. Voilà, you’re done!
The simple silhouette and dusty pink hue would do any ballerina proud.
Have you ever DIYed a swimsuit or bikini? Show us your projects by tagging us on Instagram + using the hashtag #iamcreative, and follow us on Pinterest for more DIY style inspo!
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