Turn Freya's into a Tankini

Hi everyone! Today we’re going to help you turn Freya’s Onepiece swimsuit into a tankini!  This method will work with almost any one piece swimsuit pattern.

To start, print the suit's pattern pieces. You will need two of each, so you can either print two copies, or print one and trace the bottom onto extra paper.  

We’re going to cut for the top portion first.  Take the front and back piece and cut across the top right where the leg opening starts.  See picture below for reference.  The dark portion is the piece you need for the top. Cut 2 of each out of the fabric, just like the pattern calls for.

For the bottoms you will measure up from the same place the number of inches indicated below (Note these numbers are approximate and you may want a higher or lower waist bottoms depending on your preferences).  Cut 2 of each front and back out of the fabric, just like the pattern calls for.

Size (kids)	# inches to measure
2	4”
3	4.5”
4-5	5”
6-7	5.5”
8-10	6”
12-14	6.5”

Size (womens)	# inches to measure
XXS-S	6.5”
M-L	7.5”
XL-3X	8”

 

Now cut a piece of elastic the size indicated in the chart below, for your waist.

Size (kids)	Waistband elastic length 3/4" elastic
2	16”
3	16.5”
4	17”
5	17.5”
6	18”
7	18.5”
8	19
10	21.5
12	22
14	22.5
Size (womens)	Waistband elastic length 3/4" elastic
XXS	24”
XS	26”
S	27”
M	28”
L	29”
XL	31”
2X	34”
3X	37”

When you're done cutting your fabric, you should have fabric pieces that are similar to the paper pieces shown above!

Now you're ready to sew!  For the tankini, construct all of it as indicated in the pattern.  As a final step, hem the bottom of the tankini at whatever amount you want.  

For the bottoms, place the outer fabric pieces right sides together, line up the crotch and sew. Now sew both sides and repeat with the lining.  See photos below. 

Place the lining inside of the main wrong sides together.  Now you can baste the leg and waist openings so that when you sew elastic you can treat it as 1 piece of fabric.  

Sew the leg elastic and the waist elastic both in, the way the leg elastic is explained in the pattern. 

Now your tankini is finished!  Here is one Amber Guevara made for her Disney obsessed girl.  

And here is one I made using some amazing mermaid swim knit I got from Poppy Kettle Textile.

We hope you enjoyed our tutorial!  When you're done making your own tankini, be sure to share your versions with us in our Facebook group! 

~ Nikki