Can bathing suits be altered?

[gracie1]

I am completely clueless but I thought that they can be?? I have a bathing suit that I took on a cruise last year and absolutely love it. I have lost a significant amount of weight and will be taking it to disney in october. I can't find anything else that I like, so I was wondering if they can be altered??

 

[ShiPooOwner]

I had the straps on a bathing suit altered but not the body of the suit itself. The straps on the suit had stretched out from chlorine I guess and I took it to a shop that does alterations. She just cut the straps, cut some off each one, and sewed them back into the inside of the suit. I would take it to an alterations shop and see what they suggest and if they can, whether or not the cost would be worth it.

 

[CarolA]

You can sew swimsuits so I don't see why not.

Congrats on the weight loss!


I would ask around. Drycleaners often know seamtresses. Ask if they have done things like cheer costumes, dance, skating etc. Things with "strech" because there are special techniques for sewing these.

Good luck!

 

[bekkiz]

Yes! I played water polo for many years and one hazard of the game is tears in your swimsuit (broken straps, etc). As long at the rip was in a seam, it was fixable. My guess is that it would be easy to take in the suit, just check with a tailor!

 

[gracie1]

Thanks everyone! A lady I work with has found a new seamstress in our area and had leather coats altered and all. I figure if she does that she should be able to do a bathing suit! So I am going to stop by and see her in the next week or so. I know sometimes it costs more to have things altered, but I have only worn it for a week and owned it a year. I am always afraid that they won't alter it right and the seam will fall out

 

[Imzadi]

I put in a push up Miracle bra into a swimsuit that didn't have any support. So it is possible to alter them. I had to wear mine while I was pinning the alterations in place, so that it would be pinned & stretched properly as when I'm actually wearing it. And when I sewed it, I stretched the material a little, so that after it's sewn, there is still some give where it was stitched. But, an actual seamstress would have a stretch stitch feature on her sewing machine and be able to work out that part.

 

[msmayor]

Is it possible? Probably...depends on the condition of the fabric. You mention you only wore it once so it may be OK.

But be prepared for a price you may not like, especially if the suit is lined, which can cause extra work. In addition, remember that it may require more than just bringing in a seam. Elastic around the legs/waist of a bottom would need to be re-done so it lays flat and doesn't bunch, or doesn't lose any of its stretchy-quality.

You may discover that it will be cheaper to just buy a new suit that fits properly.

 

[Piecey]

My mom had to take in the sides of a bathing suit for me in high school...

I was a size 8 with an F cup... We had to buy a W20 or something crazy and she took the sides in so it wasn't like a tent on me...

It worked, but you can tell it's altered.

Good luck!

 

[NotUrsula]

Sure you can. However, as PP's have said, it's normally a lot easier and cheaper to do if you do not care that someone might notice that it has been altered.

I alter all of my DD's swimsuits, as she is long-waisted but very thin, and prefers one-piece suits.
I put tucks in the back of the leg openings to insure a secure fit around the tush, take in the top seam of the bodice to prevent gap at the front, and usually shorten the straps as well. All of those alterations are just done as tucks, so they do show if you look closely.

Fully altering a lycra suit pretty much requires doing it with a serger.