Making sure that your print setting is set to "actual size"- not "fit”- print your pattern. (If your print setting defaults to “fit” and you don’t change it for this print, your pattern will print too small)

Be sure to cut the pieces so that the greatest degree of stretch is in the direction indicated on the pattern.

Sergers are HIGHLY recommended for making strings, but you can get by with a small & short zig zag stitch, as long as you make sure to stretch the fabric hard as you sew it!

Cut 2 lengths of Lycra that are about 1 ¼ inches wide (about 3 cm wide), by the length of your fabric cut (usually 58-60").

See my post “How to Make Bikini String” for full details on making your bikini strings.

Once the tubes are turned right side - out, clip off the end of the tube with the hole and yarn / cord.

Leave one string uncut - this will be the torso string.

Cut the other string in half, these will be the neck strings - to be trimmed to size later.

Lay both of your lining pieces out flat on your work surface.

Determine which is the “right” side of your spandex pieces. Position one spandex piece on top of each lining piece, with the right side facing up. Line everything up well.

You may choose to zigzag / serge your pieces together along all edges, to keep the lining and outer spandex pieces held together, before proceeding. (I just zigzag or serge the top and bottom edges, as pictured).

After stitching, lay your piece sets out, so that the right sides are facing up, keeping lining lined up with the outer piece.

Stitch a string to the flat top edge of the bikini top, lining the raw edge of the string with the flat edge of the teardrop. Be careful to stitch through both the outer fabric and the lining. Repeat on the other top piece.

With the lining side of each piece facing up, pull the string so that the short, raw edge of the top is laying against the wrong side of fabric / lining, and the remainder of the string extends away from the teardrop.

Sew a piece of elastic from the string end of one teardrop to the curved bottom edge of the same teardrop.

Once you have a couple stitches in place, stretch the elastic so that the free end of elastic meets the bottom edge of the bikini top.

The starting edge of the elastic should be holding down the top seam you just created when sewing the string on.

Repeat elastic application on the other side of the teardrop, as well as both sides on the other teardrop

Flip one teardrop over so that the right side is facing up.

Hold it so that the curved bottom edge is away from you, and the string toward you.

Starting on the right side of the piece, flip the elastic under and stitch down with a zigzag.

As you come to the string end of the teardrop, flip the second (left) piece of elastic under, holding it and the first piece under so that they lay nicely.

Stitch right to the string end while holding in place, lower your needle, and pivot the teardrop so that you can continue to sew down the second edge:

Alternatively, you can sew the elastic down with the wrong side facing up. Do everything the same as described on the previous page, only upside down!

With the wrong side of a teardrop facing up, and the raw, curved edge to the right, flip the curved end up and over, meeting the raw corner of the curve with the side of the elastic, with about ½ to ¾" seam allowed.

Using a narrow zig zag, and easing the seam allowance as you go, stitch along the raw edge, so you’re making a tunnel.

Be sure to backstitch a few times at the start and end of the seam.

Repeat on second teardrop.

You now have two complete teardrops for your top.

Now, thread one end of your long string into a your cord threader, then thread that through both tunnels - making sure that both cups are facing the same direction, as you go.

Try bikini top on, trim neck and torso strings to the length you like.

Note: Save trimmed pieces to make loops on your bottoms, for posing suits!

Tie a small knot in both ends of the long string, as well as the raw end of each shorter string, to prevent ravelling