Ever thought about making a swimsuit from a pair of leggings? From halter to one shoulder and cross back style, here is an easy upcycle tutorial to transform old leggings into an infinity swimsuit.
This leggings to swimsuit transformation proves that almost anything is possible when you understand how to upcycle clothes. Push your boundaries to the limit and step up the challenge with me!
The zero waste swimsuit design features over 16 different ways to wear the bathing suit. Whether you choose a pair of black or multi-colored leggings that you no longer wear, I’ve put together infinity swimsuit design for you to try.
You will love this DIY infinity swimsuit from leggings because…
- No sewing pattern is needed.
- Learn to make swimsuit bottom that stays in place by using elastic around the leg opening.
- Wear over 16 different styles from one swimsuit.
- Use zigzag stitch to join stretchy knit fabric pieces together.
- Input your body measurements into this upcycle tutorial to make a swimsuit with a perfect fit.
The basic concept that I share in this website is to utilize every notion and fabrication of original to transform into upcycled clothing. Achieve brand new stylish and trendy clothes from old clothes with easy to follow sewing and no sewing techniques.
Make sure the leggings are slightly high waisted so that you have good coverage around your tummy. After you have finished converting legging into bathing suit, consider throwing on this tassel trim wrap mini skirt from t-shirt as cover-up!
How do you make a swimsuit out of leggings?
For this upcycled swimsuit tutorial, I used long black leggings that were made with 100% rayon spandex. The surface of the fabric were slightly shiny and glossy material that resembled a waterproof swimsuit.
When converting the measurements to fits you, I recommend focusing on the torso length. Measure from the high point of shoulder to the belly button length, or where the top of the leggings hits your waistline.
This number will be the top piece measurement for your DIY swimsuit. Take body measurement for clothing so that you have clear idea moving forward.
Because rayon spandex is not a typical material to work with, making a swimsuit out of leggings may sound a bit intimidating. The easy to follow video tutorial and step-by-step picture instructions will guide you along to accomplish the upcycle project.
There are just a few materials to prepare from your sewing kit. Make sure to grab a ballpoint needle and let’s get the party started!
DIY Infinity Swimsuit From Leggings Materials:
- Leggings
- ¼” Width Elastic Band
- Sewing Machine
- Ballpoint Needle
- Fabric Chalk
- Measuring Tape
- Ruler
- Scissors
To make an infinity swimsuit from leggings, keep the high waistline intact and focus on modifying the leg opening.
Fold the leggings in half lengthwise.
Measure along the side seam and inseam to adjust the swimsuit bottom coverage.
Draw a smooth curved line to connect both points;
and cut to make the front and back of the swimsuit bottom.
Use the leg pieces from the original leggings to make the top of the swimsuit and the infinity shoulder straps.
Cut two pieces of ¼” elastic band.
Join both ends of the elastic band to make a loop, pin the elastic band around the leg opening, and sew to complete the swimsuit bottom.
Attach the top of the swimsuit to the center waistline of the bottom piece.
Pin the other side of the top piece to the side seam of the waistline.
Stretch the elastic waistband while sewing the top piece to the bottom piece of the swimsuit.
Overlap the ends of each strap, and zigzag stitch to complete the infinity swimsuit from leggings.
DIY Infinity Swimsuit From Leggings Sewing Tips:
In this DIY infinity swimsuit from leggings tutorial, you will learn to sew knit fabrics. Upgrade your sewing machine with ballpoint needle and walking foot to give more support for the stretchy material.
Apply the key sewing tips and tricks to accomplish your own DIY bathing suit.
- Sewing Machine: Setup your sewing machine with a basic zigzag stitch that is 2.0 wide and 2.5 length.
- Needle: A ball point needle is recommended when sewing spandex/knit fabrics. However, use a twin needle for finishing because it is similar to a cover stitch machine that produces professional results.
- Thread: Use polyester thread instead of cotton. It will hold up well over time.
- Sewing Foot: When sewing stretchy knit material, use a walking foot to help move the fabric between the presser foot’s upper feed and the machine’s lower feed dogs. This combination will give you much better control.
- Elastic Band: For this tutorial, we will be using ¼” width elastic. Measure the opening of your leg, and then subtract 1”. Doing so will give a snug fit that will keep the swimsuit bottom in place instead of riding up. Overlap the elastic about ½” and zigzag stitch to make a loop. When attaching the elastic to leg opening, use zigzag stitch with a 2.5 length and 2.0 width to attach along the outer edge of the elastic.
How To Make Infinity Swimsuit From Old Leggings
Making a swimsuit from scratch is fairly challenging and requires a few extra steps. In this upcycle tutorial, I share an easy short cut to make an infinity swimsuit from old leggings.
This functional swimsuit design can transform into 16 different styles. Change up the neckline and back straps to create new swimsuit styles everyday!
Materials
- Leggings
- ¼” Width Elastic Band
Tools
- Sewing Machine
- Fabric Chalk
- Measuring Tape
- Ballpoint Needle
- Ruler
- Scissors
Instructions
- For this infinity swimsuit from leggings tutorial, I used a pair of old leggings that were made with 100% rayon spandex.
I kept the high waistline intact and focused attention on modifying the leg opening. - To make the front of the swimsuit bottom, fold the leggings in half lengthwise.
Measure 4” down from the waistband along the side seam.
Next, measure 2” down the inseam on the folded line.
Measure 1” inwards from the halfway point.
Draw a smooth curved line to connect both points;
and cut along the line only on the front of the swimsuit bottom. - To make the back of the swimsuit bottom, measure 2” away from the halfway point on the cut line of the front part.
Draw a smooth curved line to connect both points;
and cut along the line only on the back of the swimsuit bottom.
- Copy the leg opening onto the other leg.
- To make the top of the swimsuit, use the leg pieces from the original leggings.
Cut open the seams to separate each panel.
This pair of leggings was made with three pieces.
- To make the front of the swimsuit top, use a long triangular piece.
Square off the bottom edge and measure the length.
The bottom width was 9”, and the top of the triangle narrowed to a 1” width.
- To make the infinity swimsuit shoulder straps, use another long piece from the original leggings.
Cut 1” x 26” shoulder straps.
- To complete the top of the swimsuit, make two front pieces;
and six infinity straps from both legs of the leggings.
- To finish the leg opening, cut two 20” long pieces of ¼” elastic band.
Join both ends of the elastic band to make a loop.
Pin the elastic band around the leg opening on the swimsuit bottom, then sew to complete the leg opening.
- To finish the swimsuit, locate the center waistline of the bottom piece.
Lineup one side of each top piece with the center waistband;
and pin to secure.
Pin the other side of the top piece to the side seam of the waistline.
Stretch the elastic while sewing to attach the top piece to the bottom piece of the swimsuit. - To finish the infinity shoulder straps, overlap the ends of each strap, and zigzag stitch.
Attach three straps to the top of each side to complete the infinity swimsuit from leggings.
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