Fixing saggy bikini bottoms can make your swimwear feel comfortable and look flattering again. Here are steps to follow that you can easily manage at home.
Assess the Fit
First, determine if the sagging is due to stretched-out material or incorrect sizing. If the bikini bottoms have simply become too large for you, alterations may be necessary. If the material is stretched out, you might need to tighten or replace the elastic.
Tightening the Elastic
If the bikini bottoms have lost their elasticity, you can replace or tighten the existing elastic. Here’s how to do it step by step:
- Gather Materials: Purchase elastic band that matches the width and type of the current elastic. You’ll also need a seam ripper, scissors, a safety pin, and a sewing machine or needle and thread.
- Remove Old Elastic: Use the seam ripper to carefully open the seams that encase the elastic band. Remove the old elastic.
- Cut New Elastic: Measure the new piece of elastic against your body where the bikini bottoms would sit, pulling it snugly but not too tight. Cut it to the correct length, leaving an extra inch for overlap.
- Thread Elastic: Attach a safety pin to one end of the elastic and use it to feed the elastic through the casing of the bikini bottoms. Make sure not to twist the elastic as you go.
- Sew Elastic Ends: Overlap the ends of the elastic about an inch and sew them together securely using a zigzag stitch.
- Close the Seam: Once the elastic is in place and feels right, sew the opening shut, keeping the stitches as close to the original seam as possible.
Altering the Material
For sagging due to size issues, you might need to remove excess material. Here’s how to do it:
- Pinching and Pinning: Put the bottoms on inside out and pinch the excess fabric at the sides until they fit correctly. Pin the fabric in place.
- Mark and Sew: Take the bottoms off carefully, keeping the pins in place. Use a fabric marker to trace a line where you will sew. Then, use a sewing machine or needle and thread to sew along the marked lines, removing the pins as you go. Take care to sew evenly and securely.
- Trim and Finish: Trim the excess fabric, leaving a small seam allowance. If you’re skilled, you can use a serger to finish the edges or fold them and sew a straight stitch to prevent fraying.
Check and Finalize
Try on the bikini bottoms to ensure they fit correctly after the adjustments. Move around a bit to make sure they will stay in place comfortably when you’re active.
Tips for Maintaining Bikini Bottoms
- Avoid hot water when washing as it can stretch out elastic over time.
- Lay flat to dry instead of hanging, which can cause stretching due to gravity.
- Rotate swimwear to avoid overuse of a single pair.
- Store bikinis flat, not crumpled up, to help maintain their shape.
If you’re not confident in your sewing abilities, consider taking your bikini bottoms to a professional tailor or seamstress. Always try the fixes on an older pair first if you’re experimenting with sewing for the first time. These steps should help you get back to feeling great in your swimwear!