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Supportive DIY Swimsuit Fix with Sports Bra

I’ve gone back and forth on whether I should post this or not, but I decided that maybe it would help someone else out there.  I can’t believe I’m talking about it, but if you can relate to this comic, you might just have the same problem that I do.  I don’t think I’m super “busty”, but for some reason I can NEVER find a swimsuit that is supportive enough!  I have tried every year since my son was born to find something, and he just turned six!  Before that, the last swimsuit that I bought was when I was 19.  That’s right, I haven’t had a new swimsuit since I was 19!!!  Needless to say, my 19-year-old, pre-baby body is a bit different than the one that I have now.  I’ve been tempted by the online stores that claim their suits are supportive, but who wants to buy online and have to return something?  Not to mention that those swimsuits usually cost upwards of $100!  Frustrated, I asked myself, “Why is it that I can find a cheap sports bra that does the job just fine, but no one can make a reasonably priced supportive swimsuit?”  Light bulb!  Why not sew a sports bra into my swimsuit?!  So that’s what I did.  I made a supportive DIY swimsuit.  (And don’t worry, you won’t scroll down to see any pics of me in my swimsuit…NO WAY!)

swim top + sports bra = supportive DIY swimsuit!

Supportive DIY Swimsuit Fix

I went to Target and tried on a few swim tops until I found one that I thought would work for this DIY swimsuit fix.  Here she is.  I don’t know how anyone thought that skinny strap was going to support anything!  It was cute though, and black would make it easy to match with a sports bra.

Next, over to the activewear section.  You want to find a sports bra that is made out of fabric that feels the same as a swimsuit so it will dry quickly. The one I bought says it’s made of polyester and spandex.  I also recommend getting one that isn’t super tight.  The one I bought was a little difficult to get on once it was inside my swimsuit.

Depending on the type of swimsuit you bought, this part will be different, but I’ll show you how I made mine.  First thing I did was take off that useless strap.  Luckily that was easy since it was just hooked on.

Turn your swim top and sports bra inside out.  Find the middle of both by folding them in half and marking with pins.

Next, I slid my sports bra over my swim top, lined up the mid points and side seams, and added more pins.  I started at the back and just stitched a couple of inches at each of the three points to tack the bra to the swimsuit.  That’s really all you need. Remember, you are working with stretchy fabric, so I recommend a “walking” presser foot and a stretch or large zig-zag stitch.

swim top + sports bra = supportive DIY swimsuit!

Now time to sew the front.  Take some measurements and line the straps up where you want them.  I think I tried it on at this point and carefully pinned them into place.  This swimsuit has ruffles on the front, so I lifted the top ruffle and sewed under that.  Again, I just sewed about an inch or two in the middle and then across both straps using a stretch or zig-zag stitch.

Put the ruffle back down and there you go!  This swimsuit was pretty perfect for what I wanted to do.

swim top + sports bra = supportive DIY swimsuit!

Ok, so it’s not as cute as it was with the skinny strap on it, but it looks a million times better when I wear it than it did before!  Sorry, like I said, I won’t be showing you a photo of that. 🙂  Not bad for a DIY swimsuit fix!

swim top + sports bra = supportive DIY swimsuit!

I really hope that this helps some other “busty” girls out there!  Please tell me that I am not alone in having to deal with this issue!  I promise, this will not be a frequent topic on my craft blog.  Haha!

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Shel

Tuesday 2nd of March 2021

This is a great idea. I was wondering how was the sports bra in the water?

Trisha F

Thursday 6th of August 2015

I just realized I never posted on here my thanks- this has saved me money and made me more comfortable at the pool. Here is my link to the one I made (of course linking back to you on there! :)) http://thefamilyfull.blogspot.com/2014/08/support-them-gals.html

Shel

Tuesday 2nd of March 2021

@Trisha F, I would love to read your post about this but I am not invited to your blog. Could you send me the information?

Jessica @ Cutesy Crafts

Saturday 8th of August 2015

Thanks so much for sharing, Trisha! Yours turned out great! I'm so glad this was helpful to you. :)

Ali

Sunday 22nd of June 2014

I'm pretty much the opposite of busty, but have trouble finding bathing suits that will stay put if I try to do something like, say, swim. I will definitely be trying this out!

Jessica @ Cutesy Crafts

Thursday 26th of June 2014

Haha! What? You mean you actually want to swim in your swimsuit? Crazy! ;) Hope it works for you.

shauna

Friday 13th of June 2014

amazing.. i have the same issue.. once i broke down and went to a speciality shop and bought a 100.00 TOP... i went to walmart and bought the bottom for 10.00... LOL.. i used it until it evaporated.. now i can't bring myself to spend that again. I am definitely trying this .. thank you

Jessica @ Cutesy Crafts

Thursday 19th of June 2014

$100 is CRAZY! And just for a top? I don't understand how it's so hard to make a normal-priced supportive swimsuit! Hope this works for you. :)

Carrie

Tuesday 27th of May 2014

Let's just say I have something in common with Keurig machines. I found a swim top from Lands' End that I can wear a bra underneath and it covers it exactly. For more coverage this year, I'm adding a rashguard that zips up the front so that I don't have to worry about straps peeking in the back.

cutesycrafts

Monday 2nd of June 2014

LOL... Keurig machines! Good idea to have a rashgaurd. That would definitely make me more comfortable.

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