Bikini Facelift: Ruffle Top
I’m not much of a ruffle gal, until it comes to bikinis. They add a layer of coverage and make me feel like Barbarella. Or a pirate. So, after digging around the bikini bin and finding some fabric at home I could repurpose, I ventured into the somewhat frilly side of swimwear, for a ruffle bikini top bikini facelift. So far, pretty happy with the results.
DIY Ruffle Bikini top.
Tools: Scissors, needle & thread, bikini top, enough fabric to make 2 ruffles
Step 1: Cut off fabric from an old tee shirt, rash guard, or any type of material you have that would look good for the top. I used a maxi skirt that needed hemming anyways. If you have some stretchy lace, that could be sweet too. Cut it the width you want the ruffle. I’d say go thicker than you can go back and trim after you’re done.
Step 2. Cut 2 strips for the ruffles. these should be almost twice as long as the side of the bikini tip you will be attaching it to. Cut more that you think you’ll need, just to be safe.
Step 3. Using a needle and thread, do a simple straight stitch along one side of the fabric. Pull and gather the loose thread at the end until you have the desired Rufflefication. Wiki How explains this well.
Step 4. Secure the ruffle along the desired side of the bikini top where you’ll be fastening it with a few straight pins. *Note, in my demo, I used my same top new tie technique, so I fastened it according to how it would be tied when finished.
Step 5. Grab a needle & thread and using a whip stitch, attach the ruffle to the bikini top from one side to the other.
Step 6. Repeat steps 3-5 for the other side.
Step 7: When the top is on, I tuck the outside into the top for a more polished look if desired. Now is also a good time to trim if needed.
Step 8: Realize rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrruffles rrrrrrrrrrrrrule. On bikinis.
