This bikini pattern has a lot of different features like halter neck or regular straps, foam cup insert option, regular hook closure or ties for the back. The bottoms have two different waist heights and two different leg opening styles. I hope you’ll find a version that adapts to your preferences!

compar tu patrón en español

If you already own the previous version of Hanna bikini pattern you can send me your order number and I’ll send you the new version for free.

*this sizing is better than the previous one including way more cup sizes and a couple of extra sizes for the bottoms. However I’m aware that it’s not an inclusive sizing yet and this is something I will be working on both for this pattern and all my lingerie patterns. Thank you for your understanding!

Yesterday I posted some stories (well, actually a lot of stories, haha) about the process of making a Hanna bikini for myself. I’ve saved it as a highlight at @studiocostura profile so you can look through the images if you wish. Although I try to make all my pattern instructions as clear as possible by combining text and images, I understand that a video format is always very helpful. This is something I really want to do also in the future as I’m sure that making proper video tutorials for my instructions would help new lingerie sewers a lot.

I wanted to write down here also some places where you can get supplies as I understand that it might seem complicated at first. I’m more familiar with stores here in Spain but I’ll add some international stores that I know of too.

Fabric

You need four way stretch lycra/swimwear fabric, meaning it should stretch in both directions for maximum comfort. There are also lycras that stretch only in one direction…I’d be cautious to use those for your first bikini as you’d probably need to alter the pattern to make up for the lack of stretch in the other direction.

If you shop for lycra in person I’d definitely stretch the fabric to see how the print holds up. A lot of fabrics are printed on white background and stretching them makes the white background appear. As swimwear is quite tight around your body you’d not want that to happen. It’s usually more visible when it’s a print in darker colors as the contrast between the base layer and the print is bigger and more visible once you stretch the fabric. Good quality swimwear fabric should not have this problem.

I have to say that it’s not easy to find cute swimwear fabric locally so every time I actually do find something I like I always go for it…just in case, haha. In that sense Spoonflower and printing your custom fabric is a good option, you can choose literally any print you like and have it printed on sports lycra. For my bikini I used this print by my friend Alex Roda that she gifted to me!

Some online shops that carry swimwear fabric and ship internationally:

En español estas telas se llaman lycra de bañador o simplemente lycra. Se pueden comprar por ejemplo en Cal Joan (online y en El Martorell), The Sewjo (online), Muxune (online), Ribes y Casals (online y varias ciudades en España), Tejidos Paredes (Madrid), en Mercat dels Encants (Barcelona).

Lining

The bikini is totally lined using swimwear lining which is essentially a nylon knit fabric that is very lightweight and stretchy. Lining your bikini makes it have more structure and it looks also better on the inside as all the raw edges are enclosed. Can you not use lining? Basically you can but I really like the lining as it makes the bikini more “compact”. The place where I personally don’t use swimwear lining is when I make swimsuits for my daughter. You can usually buy lining in the same shops that carry lycra.

En español esta tela se llama forro de bañador o espumilla. Se puede comprar en casi todas las tiendas de telas.

Elastic

You need swimwear elastic/rubber for your bikini. This elastic is chlorine and sun resistant and will stand up all the summer activities. It’s quite firm and you don’t need to pull it a lot when sewing it on. It comes in different widths and you should consult your pattern to know which one is recommended according to the seam allowance that is included in the pattern pieces. Hanna bikini uses an 8 mm wide swimwear elastic (5/16”) but if you want to use a narrower/wider elastic you can just add the difference to the seams you’ll be sewing the elastic. If you’re making a bigger size I’d recommend using a wider elastic for the band and the straps, for example a 15 mm (⅝”) wide would be great.

Swimwear elastic is sold in many different online shops and I also have it at Studio Costura Shop.

En español este elástico se llama elástico de bañador, goma virgen o elástico de gaucho. Se puede comprar por ejemplo en Seoane Textil (online), The Sewing Cat (online), Almacenes Pontejos (Madrid) y Mercería Santa Ana (Barcelona).

Closures and straps

You can use a hook/clasp closure or just use ties for the back closure. I’d recommend plastic closures as the metal ones can heat up when they are worn in direct sunlight over a longer period of time. The same goes for the straps if you decide to use regular ones. You need rings to attach the straps and I’d use plastic rings if possible. Bikini clasps and rings are usually sold in many shops that carry these kinds of supplies.

Los cierres los suelo comprar en la mercería, en Madrid en Almacenes Pontejos. También los tienes en The Sewing Cat.

Thread and machine needle

And to finish things off you need a good quality thread and a suitable machine needle. Stretch, super stretch and jersey machine needles all usually work well, I use size 90 for almost everything I sew. Quality thread is also important to avoid skipped stitches, especially when sewing on top of swim elastic. I use Mara 120 by Gütermann, it comes in 1000 m cones and the price-quantity is very good.

For cutting out the pieces you can use your regular fabric scissors but I like to use a rotary cutter as it’s very comfortable once you get your practice in! I use Olfa 45 mm rotary cutter and 45x60 cm cutting mat for all my lingerie and swimwear cutting.

Aaaaand that’s it! Then you just need your sewing machine! It does not have to be a super professional machine…you know your own machine and I’m sure you’ll work it out. I usually don’t use a walking foot as I find it more complicated to sew tiny stuff with it but many people like it for sewing knit fabrics in general. Also, you don’t need a serger/overlocker! If you have one you can of course use it but all the seams of this pattern are actually enclosed anyway (except the center seam of the bikini top, but it’s covered with an optional bow so the seam allowance won’t be visible anyway!).

Below I’ll add some photos of Hanna bikinis that were made by students in my classes recently (and if you are in Madrid or in Barcelona and want to come and learn with me…visit my class page here). And for more bikini inspiration you can visit this post here at the blog!

If you have any questions just let me know here or send me an email. I hope you'll try out sewing swimwear as it’s really cool, I promise!