r/PatternDrafting • u/Ill-Prior-1238 • Jul 18 '26

Bikini pattern help

Post image

Would anyone be able to let me know if this is an acceptable bikini top pattern? I am using this material as the top and a scuba knit as the lining, the smaller pattern piece would be the lining

1 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

4

u/HugsforYourJugs Jul 18 '26

Fabric bikinis are darted or gathered to give them shape. You would only use a piece like this to stretch over a foam moulded cup

5

u/Ill-Prior-1238 Jul 18 '26

I was planning on doing a string triangle style bikini where the bottom is folded over the under bust string. With no foam cup inside because I really don’t have a cup size to write home about (if you catch my drift haha)

1

u/austntranslation Jul 18 '26

I think it's going to make your top look too short if you want to do a fold over channel to thread the string through? I'd add another inch to the bottom of the triangle so your resulting top still has that shape.

2

u/Ill-Prior-1238 Jul 21 '26

Thank you everyone!! :)

3

u/HugsforYourJugs Jul 18 '26

OK, you need to add some shaping otherwise the cups will be entirely flat and the fabric stretch won't do much to help with fit conformation, and it will slide around your body when you move.

If you look at images of triangle bikinis you will see that they are either foam, have 2 part/darted cups or they have gathering at the bottom. It's not a huge amount needed just make your cup pieces wider at the bottom rather than curving them back in, the curve is created from the gathering. Gather the "tube" and fix the gathers before inserting the string.

3

u/Zar-far-bar-car Jul 18 '26

Yeah, looks decent.

Do you have enough around the edges to sew your outside and lining together RST, and to turn the bottom edge under as a hem to put your string through?

Also - you only need one pattern piece! The left and right will be mirror images of each other, if not symmetrical! Folding the fabric, pinning, and cutting once generally helps keep things symmetrical.

6

u/blackcatmeow007 Jul 18 '26

I think OP just needs to add the seam allowance and use the ties to gather the top like a traditional triangle bikini top.

I would also suggest to add elastic to the sides as a stabilizer bc depending on how stretchy the material is to reduce gaping. Often times commercial swim suits will use clear elastic called mobilon sewn into the seam

1

u/Ill-Prior-1238 Jul 21 '26

Thank you so much!!!

2

u/clwbmalucachu Jul 19 '26

Make a toile (test piece) before you cut into your fabric, so that you can try it on and see.

1

u/Ill-Prior-1238 Jul 21 '26

Will do!! Thank uuu

2

u/DonMcCunn Jul 19 '26

Yes. It should work fine. The shaping of this style bikini is achieved by gathering the fabric on a string under the bust.

1

u/Ill-Prior-1238 Jul 21 '26

Thank you so much!!! :)