A sports bikini set is a great project for sewists who want swimwear that combines comfort, support, and freedom of movement. Whether you're swimming laps, enjoying a beach vacation, or participating in water sports, making your own bikini lets you choose performance fabrics and create a fit that feels just right.
The Aruba Sports Bikini Set Sewing Pattern is an excellent choice for beginners looking to sew functional swimwear. Featuring a supportive sports-style bikini top with a racerback design and coordinating bikini bottoms, this easy-to-follow pattern helps you create a comfortable, stylish swimsuit that's perfect for active days in and around the water.
Why Sew a Sports Bikini Set?
- Create a coordinated swimwear set designed for comfort and active movement.
- Enjoy a supportive sports-style bikini top with a secure racerback design.
- Sew matching bikini bottoms for a complete handmade swimsuit.
- Customize your swimwear with your favorite stretch swim fabrics and prints.
- Learn practical swimwear construction techniques while working with stretch fabrics.
- Make durable swimwear that's perfect for swimming, beach trips, surfing, and other water activities.
Why Choose the Winslet's Aruba Sports Bikini Set Sewing Pattern?
The Aruba Sports Bikini Set Sewing Pattern is designed to help sewists create comfortable, supportive swimwear using beginner-friendly construction techniques.
Skill Level
Easy
Key Features
- Sports-style bikini top
- Racerback design
- Coordinating bikini bottoms
- Comfortable athletic fit
- Designed for stretch swimwear fabrics
- Suitable for swimming and active beachwear
Available Sizes
US 02 - US 32 | UK 06 - UK 36 | EU 36 - EU 64
Supplies & Notions
Prepare the following before you begin sewing:
- Lightweight 4-way stretch knit fabric
- 3-ply polyester thread
- 5 mm wide elastic
- Sewing machine
- Serger (optional)
- Coverstitch machine (optional)
- Stretch sewing needles
- Tape measure
- Fabric shears
- Tailor's chalk
- Thread cutter
- Sewing pins
- Iron
Fabric Recommendations
The sewing guide recommends lightweight 4-way stretch knit fabrics with 50–100% stretch, including:
- Nylon spandex scuba
- Polyester spandex jersey
- Tricot knit
- Ribbed swimwear knit
The sample garment is sewn using poly nylon lycra knit fabric, which offers:
- Excellent stretch and recovery
- Smooth, comfortable feel
- Moisture-wicking performance
- Breathability
- Compatibility with stretch sewing needles
Size Charts
Check the size charts and measure yourself to select the correct size, using the garment and body measurement tables in the guide.
Verify how much fabric you need by referencing the fabric yield table in the guide.
Pattern Inventory: What Pieces to Prepare
Prepare the following pattern pieces before cutting your fabric:
- Front Top — Cut 1 Fabric
- Front Top Lining — Cut 1 Fabric
- Back Top — Cut 1 Fabric
- Back Top Lining — Cut 1 Fabric
- Front Bottom — Cut 1 Fabric
- Back Bottom — Cut 1 Fabric
- Gusset — Cut 1 Fabric
- Binding pieces (as indicated in the sewing guide)
Pattern Marking
The pattern includes markings for:
- Grainlines
- Neckline
- Armholes
- Side seams
- Center front
- Center back
- Waistline
- Leg openings
- Gusset placement
- Seam allowance guides
- Alignment notches
These markings help ensure every pattern piece is aligned accurately during construction.
Cutting Layout
Arrange the pattern pieces according to the cutting layout diagrams before cutting.
When preparing your layout:
- Keep every grainline parallel to the fabric selvage.
- Pin pattern pieces securely before cutting.
- Follow the layouts provided for both 45-inch and 60-inch fabric widths.
- The layouts are intended for non-directional fabrics.
- Purchase additional fabric if using fabrics with a nap or directional prints.
- The illustrated layouts use a larger size for demonstration.
Fabric Cutting and Preparation
Arrange the pattern pieces according to the cutting layout diagrams before cutting.
Position every grainline arrow parallel to the fabric selvage.
If using fabric shears, trace each pattern piece before cutting and trim away any marking lines afterward.
Cut all notches shown on the pattern pieces to help align the garment accurately during construction.
Transfer all pattern markings, including circles, fold lines, and center front markings, onto the wrong side of the fabric using tailor's chalk, a fabric pencil, or a marking pen.
Seam Allowance
Please follow the seam allowances as indicated on the pattern file layers. These are provided specifically for each piece to ensure accurate construction.
This pattern uses a 1 cm (3/8 inch) seam allowance all around except the neckline, armholes, waistline, and leg openings.
Step-by-Step Sewing Instructions
Bikini Top
1. Prepare the front lining
Cut out the opening for the removable bra pads from the front lining piece and finish the edges with a serger or overlock stitch. This creates a clean opening for inserting and removing the pads.
2. Join each outer piece with its matching lining
With right sides together, sew the front outer fabric to the front lining around the neckline, armholes, and waist, leaving the side seams and shoulders open. Repeat the same process for both back pieces.
3. Assemble the top using the bagging method
Turn the prepared back section right side out and insert it through one of the open side seams of the front section. Match the outer fabrics together and the lining pieces together, then sew the shoulder seams and side seams. This encloses the seam allowances between the outer fabric and lining for a clean finish.
4. Turn the top right side out
Open a small section of stitching along the waist near one side seam and carefully pull the entire top through this opening until it is right side out.
5. Close the turning opening
Fold the seam allowances neatly inside and hand sew the opening closed using a blind stitch so the repair is nearly invisible.
Shortie Bottoms
6. Sew the crotch seams
Join the front and back bottom pieces together at the crotch to form the front and back sections of the shorts.
7. Sew the side seams
Align the front and back pieces at both side seams and overlock them to create the basic shorts shape.
8. Sew the inseams
Match each front leg to its corresponding back leg and sew the inseams to complete the shorts construction.
9. Prepare the elastic waistband
Measure and cut the elastic according to the size chart, then join the elastic into a continuous loop using a zigzag stitch. Fold the waistband in half, sew its center-back seam, insert the elastic inside, and fold the waistband so the elastic is fully enclosed. Mark the waistband and elastic into equal sections to help distribute the stretch evenly while attaching.
10. Attach the waistband
Place the waistband around the waist opening with right sides together, matching the center front, center back, and side notches. Sew it to the shorts with an overlock stitch, then fold the waistband upward and topstitch along the lower edge to secure the seam allowance.
11. Finish the hems
Fold each leg hem to the wrong side, press, and finish with a coverstitch so the double row of stitching is visible on the right side, creating a professional swimwear finish.
Ready to Sew Your Own Sports Bikini Set?
The Aruba Sports Bikini Set is a practical and stylish swimwear project that combines a fully lined sports bikini top with supportive wide straps and removable pads, paired with comfortable high-waisted shortie bottoms for full coverage. With its beginner-friendly construction and clean finishes, it's an enjoyable project for sewists looking to create custom swimwear.
Whether you're sewing for beach days, swimming sessions, or active water sports, the Aruba pattern makes it easy to create a swimsuit that fits you beautifully.
Explore More Sewing Patterns
Browse our Swimwear Sewing Pattern Collection for more handmade bikini sets, swimsuits, rashguards, swim shorts, and other stylish swimwear patterns designed for every skill level.
Join the Community & Get Support
Share your finished Aruba Sports Bikini Set on social media with #MadeWithWinslets. If you have questions, feedback, or customization requests, contact the Winslet's team at support@winslets.com.
