We were in the dollar store a few weeks ago, and I found this cute swimsuit on sale for $8. I was needing a new swim top and I wondered if I could make this one work for me even though it was a size 2X (I usually wear a medium/large on top).
I tried it on in the store over my clothes (right there in the aisle!). I didn’t want to buy it if it was too tight. Too big I can fix, but there’s nothing I can do if it’s too tight. To my surprise, it fit pretty well.
And it came with these bikini bottoms (which I knew I wouldn’t wear). I realized that there would be enough fabric in these to fill in the neckline (trust me, the top was veeerrrrry inappropriate and revealing when I tried it on at home!).
All I did was cut the side seams of the bikini bottoms:
And then I used them to fill in the neckline. I raised it up quite a bit.
After cutting up the bottoms, I carefully pinned where I wanted this extra fabric to be:
Then I carefully sewed it down. I also sewed the halter ties down to make a criss-cross back. This gave me a lot more support and made the top more comfortable, also.
I’m very happy with my new swim-top, which only cost $8 and about half an hour of work. I love that I can bend over and I’m still completely covered!
I wear it with the black leggings I made with this swimsuit, and a swim skirt my mother-in-law bought for me last summer (for $5!).
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Related Post: A Modest Swimsuit Attempt
Summer says
June 25, 2015 at 1:30 pmI love what you did with this. This is so creative 🙂
Joy Kincaid says
June 26, 2015 at 8:13 pmThank you!
Wholesome Joy says
June 22, 2015 at 4:24 pmI LOVE this idea!!!! Thanks so much for sharing! <3
Joy Kincaid says
June 23, 2015 at 1:30 amThank you! 🙂
Julie @ Loggers Wife says
June 22, 2015 at 4:18 pmThat is an amazing idea! I wish I had thought of this the last two summers as I searched high and low for a swim top that actually covered me.
Joy Kincaid says
June 23, 2015 at 1:29 amThanks! I know what you mean, it's hard to find one that covers. 🙂
Tonia L says
June 22, 2015 at 1:24 pmWhat a great idea! Love how you matched up the pattern – looks just like it was made that way.
Joy Kincaid says
June 22, 2015 at 1:48 pmThanks, Tonia!
Holly says
June 21, 2015 at 8:41 pmIts so hard to find affordable modest suits! This is such a great idea. I'll definitely be keeping an out at our local dollar store!
Joy Kincaid says
June 22, 2015 at 1:22 pmI'm glad it was helpful! Now that I know it's possible, I'm looking for some tops to refashion for my daughters! 🙂
Mrs.Rabe says
June 20, 2015 at 12:42 pmThat turned out great!
Joy Kincaid says
June 20, 2015 at 3:26 pmThanks! 🙂
Kimberly D says
June 20, 2015 at 12:34 amWow, you did an amazing job! Thank you for such a good idea.
Joy Kincaid says
June 20, 2015 at 3:26 pmThank you, Kimberly!
Gwen says
June 19, 2015 at 5:54 pmWhat a great idea! You made a really good job of this. I am pinning it for future reference. Thank you for sharing your idea.
Joy Kincaid says
June 19, 2015 at 8:57 pmThanks, Gwen! Glad it was helpful!
Sammy and Missy Parris says
June 19, 2015 at 2:24 pmWhat a great idea, very modest AND inexpensive!! Love how it turned out
Joy Kincaid says
June 19, 2015 at 5:16 pmThank you so much! 🙂
Katy says
June 19, 2015 at 12:03 pmHow fantastic!!! You did a great job! 🙂
Joy Kincaid says
June 19, 2015 at 5:16 pmThanks, Katy!! 🙂
Tracey Brewer says
June 19, 2015 at 11:40 amWow – so creative!! I love how you modified this top and it looks great!!
Joy Kincaid says
June 19, 2015 at 5:15 pmThank you, Tracey!
Carol B. says
June 19, 2015 at 12:04 amWow! It looks great and you matched the pattern perfectly! I would have never thought to do this! Necessity really is the mother of invention! 🙂
Joy Kincaid says
June 19, 2015 at 1:13 amThank you, Carol! My oldest daughter was really impressed (after thinking I was crazy as I tried the swimsuit top on in the store!). She said, "Hey, let's go shopping for more cheap swimsuits you could re-do!" 🙂